About

Strategic Plan 2021-2026

Executive Summary

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to preparing highly competent, ethical, and culturally responsive professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology. We offer a comprehensive undergraduate program and fully accredited graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Audiology (AuD), designed to meet or exceed national standards and ensure that graduates are equipped to serve diverse populations across the lifespan.

Our mission aligns with the institutional goal of academic excellence through interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and a strong foundation in research and evidence-based practice. Our programs are grounded in the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, innovation, individualized student support, and ethical clinical care.

The department’s strategic priorities reflect our commitment to academic and clinical excellence, and include:

• Recruiting, retaining, and supporting a diverse and academically prepared student body.
• Delivering a rigorous, outcomes-driven curriculum aligned with current professional standards and best practices.
• Fostering an inclusive learning and working environment that supports all students, faculty, and staff.
• Providing high-quality, evidence-based speech-language pathology and audiology services through our on-campus clinic, a critical component of clinical education.
• Enhancing interprofessional education and collaboration across academic units and with external clinical partners.
• Strengthening our infrastructure, including faculty development, clinical resources, and technological capacity.
• Promoting student and faculty scholarship that contributes to the advancement of the discipline.

Ongoing assessment and continuous program improvement are integral to our operations. Our faculty and clinical educators engage in systematic evaluation of student learning outcomes, clinical competencies, and program effectiveness to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and to support the evolving needs of the professions.

Through a combination of strong academic preparation, meaningful clinical experiences, and an institutional culture of accountability and excellence, we are committed to producing graduates who are well-prepared for professional certification, licensure, and impactful practice.

• Mission Statement

  The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is a collaborative community of scholars and practitioners with varied and complementary expertise whose goal is to prepare students to be effective and ethical professionals.

• Vision

  Our goal is to reflect the changing demographic of the country and prepare to serve the communication needs of the nation.

• We value:

  • Collaboration and community
  • Dynamic and innovative learning
  • Diversity, inclusion, and equity
  • Individualized attention
  • Scholarship and its dissemination
  • Service and community engagement
  • Academic and professional integrity
  • Interprofessional education

• Strategic Goals

  1. Recruit and retain academically talented, diverse, and highly motivated students.
  2. Promote learning by creating a robust curriculum that challenges and inspires our students.
  3. Develop a diverse, inclusive, and equitable academic community.
  4. Provide evidence-based speech, language, and hearing services.
  5. Create and sustain opportunities for interprofessional experiences.
  6. Develop and expand our academic and clinical spaces.
  7. Maintain and grow the use of innovative technology in teaching, research, and clinic settings.
  8. Cultivate community and alumni relationships.