Department News

                  SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org recently recognized Arkansas State University's Master of  Communication Disorders as being one of the best programs of its kind in the country!  In an exhaustive evaluation of all 240+ CAA-Accredited programs in the U.S. looking at everything from student outcomes to cost, SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org identified Arkansas State University's program as offering exceptional quality and value.                           

Student Research Presentations

• Olivia Peek Goodon graduated with her Masters in Communication Disorders in December 2017.  As part of her graduate degree experience she conducted research for her thesis entitled, "Should it Stay or Should it Go?  The Case of Silent 'E' in Derived Word Spelling".  She presented her research at the 2017 ASHA Convention in Los Angeles, CA.  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Amy Shollenbarger, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders. 

• Avery Day presented her research at the 2017 ASHA Convention in Los Angeles, CA.  The title of her project was, "A Concurrent Validity Study of Listening Comprehension Measures in English Language Learners (ELLs)".  
  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Amy Shollenbarger, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders. 

• Hannah Harris conducted research as part of her graduate degree experience.  Her thesis was entitled, "The Effectiveness of Video Modeling in Word-Finding Therapy for Individuals Diagnosed with Aphasia".  She presented her project at the state convention of ArkSHA in 2017.  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Christina Akbari, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders. 

• Brooke McCurley presented research at the 2017 ASHA Convention in Los Angeles, CA.  Her project entitled, "Improving the Reading Comprehension Skills of Hispanic Youth That Attend an After-School Program".  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Christina Akbari, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders.

• Ella Corrine McDaniel conducted research as part of her graduate degree experience. The title of her project was, "The Impact of Language Learning Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP) on Speech and Language Development in Children with Developmental Delays (DDs)".  She presented her thesis at the state convention of ArkSHA in 2017.  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Christina Akbari, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders.

• Amber Lindley graduated with her Masters in Communication Disorders in December 2016.  During her graduate degree experience, she presented research at the 2016 ASHA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  Her project was entitled, "Stuttering and the Effects of Mindfulness Training".  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Amy Shollenbarger, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders.

• Elizabeth Dryer presented research at the 2016 ASHA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  The title of her project was, "Effectiveness of Video Modeling as an Intervention Technique for Broca's Aphasia".  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Christina Akbari, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders.

• Ragen Bray conducted research as part of her graduate degree experience.  Her thesis was presented at the 2016 ASHA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  The project was entitled, "Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students' Perceptions of Cultural Competency Experiences".  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Richard Neeley, Professor of Communication Disorders.

• Twana Watkins graduated with her Masters in Communication Disorders in December 2016.  During her graduate degree experience, she presented research at the 2016 ASHA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  Her project was entitled, "The Influence of Literacy Intervention on Mathematics Performance".  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Joy Good, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders. 

• April Morgan presented research at the 2016 ASHA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  The title of her project was, "Influence of an After School Literacy Program: A Barton Reading & Spelling System Efficacy Study".  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Mike McDaniel, Professor of Communication Disorders. 

• Sarah Gearhart conducted research as part of her graduate degree experience.  Her thesis was presented at the 2016 ASHA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  The project was entitled, "Reading Comprehension Through Incidental Learning:  Efficacy of an After-School Literacy Program Utilizing the Barton Reading & Spelling System".  Her faculty mentor for the project was Dr. Christina Akbari, Assistant Professor of Communication Disorders.

Convocation of Scholars 2018

The annual Convocation of Scholars Banquet for the college was held April 23rd at 6 pm in Centennial Hall.  Honorees for the department include:

Undergraduate Program Scholars

Brooke Darnell, Kaitlyn Wiles, Sasha Starnes, Celsie Morrow, Jessica Dobyns, Rachel Hinson, Abigale Crump, Abigal Ball, Alexis Knapp,

Michelle Popp, Tassie Murphree

Outstanding CD Undergraduate

Ryann Collins

Outstanding CD Graduate Student

Anna Jenness

Reception for Incoming Graduate Students

The Department of Communication Disorders hosted a reception for the incoming MCD Class of 2018 on Friday, April 20th, at 3:00 pm in the Student Lounge (room 223) of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences.  Light refreshments were served.  Welcome to our new graduates!