Department Rankings

SPLH Graduate Program ranked in #6 in Speech Language Pathology M.A. graduate programs by US News & World Report.

SPLH Graduate Program ranked #6 among public universities.

SPLH Audiology Au.D. ranked #10 and #10 among public Universities.

30% undergraduates complete a research experience.

3 of 12 KU undergraduate research award winners in 2018.

50% undergraduates complete a clinical experience

84% continue education upon graduation in audiology or speech pathology.

96% MA Speech-language pathology graduates employed immediately post graduation.

100% AuD audiology graduates are employed immediately post-graduation.

Student Accomplishments

KU speech-language-hearing scholars perform critical screenings, evaluations for Belize community

During a one-week clinical study abroad program, seven speech-language pathology (SLP) master’s students, one speech-language pathology doctoral student and seven audiology doctoral students conducted screenings and assessments in schools in San Pedro, Belize.

LAWRENCE — During the University of Kansas spring break, Kate DeJarnette, speech-language pathologist and clinical assistant professor, and Krysta Green, audiologist and clinical associate professor, took 14 graduate students to San Pedro, Belize, for a clinically based study abroad program.

The primary purpose of the study abroad program was to identify needs for ongoing speech-language-hearing support in schools in San Pedro and to develop collaborative partnerships with teachers and parents.

During the one-week program, seven speech-language pathology (SLP) master’s students, one speech-language pathology doctoral student and seven audiology doctoral students traveled to local schools to conduct screenings and assessments.

Team audiology conducted more than 100 pediatric and adult hearing screenings. They also fit and provided hearing aids to children and adults in need and engaged in parent and teacher education sessions about hearing loss.

Team SLP conducted 85 pediatric speech/language screenings and evaluations, which yielded identification and referral of a dozen children with probable autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), three children with suspected genetic disorders or syndromes, and many children with speech, language and communication needs. 

Additionally, team SLP offered several coaching sessions to provide parents with education and strategies to support their children’s speech and language development at home. These parent coaching sessions offered students and faculty to deepen their knowledge of the influence of Belizean cultural norms on clinical work and client-centered care.

“I loved immersing myself in the Belizean culture and exploring their education system,” said Carolyn Russell, second-year MA-SLP student. “Screening the diverse pediatric clientele contributed to my personal and professional growth because of the unique needs that each student presented.”

Hanna Kate Hartshorn, second-year MA-SLP student, also appreciated learning more about the Belizean culture and school systems outside of the United States.

“This experience afforded me a unique opportunity to not only take my clinical skills outside of the classroom, but overseas,” Hartshorn said.

In addition to their clinical work, students and faculty participated in a day of island exploration, which included a boat excursion, snorkeling the barrier reef and swimming with nurse sharks and sting rays.

We are excited to share that Susan Koerner has been selected to represent the KU Lawrence campus at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit (CGRS) this year! The summit was founded by Kansas graduate students who wanted to show the State of Kansas the importance and value of graduate student research. Congratulations Susan! 

Congratulations to Kate DeJarnette for winning the Sandy and Marc Fey Clinical Scholars Award. "This award is presented to promising SLPD students in their first year who aims to study assessment or intervention practices with the pediatric population. In addition to pursuing advanced academic and clinical interests related to pediatric speech-language disorders, the recipient is expected to pursue leadership and dissemination activities."

"Marc Fey was an emeritus professor for the Hearing and Speech Department at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He published numerous articles, chapters, and programs on children's speech and language development. He served as editor of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology from 1996 to 1998 and received high honors including the Honors of the Association from ASHA."  Wonderful News Kate! 

Congratulations to Olivia Boorom for being selected to receive the 2023 Student Research Grant in Early Childhood Language Development. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation has selected Olivia's proposal entitled "Understanding how caregiver behavior shapes reciprocal communication in nonspeaking autistic children" to receive this Student Research Grant supported by the Arlene M and Noel D. Matkin Memorial Fund. The ASHFoundation will provide $2000 for Olivia to apply to her study. Olivia will be a celebrated, distinguished guest at the ASHA Convention events in Boston, Mass. in Mid-November 2023 and receive her award. Congratulations on a job well done!  

Congratulations to Danielle Pulido for being nominated for the University of Kansas, Student Employee of the Year Award. Danielle is one of SPLH's student office workers and has been a great asset to the department this past year. She was recognized for her dedication and hard work in a ceremony held at the Kansas Union Ballroom and received a certificate of appreciation along with a Jayhawk pin.

Congrats again on a job well done!

Congratulations! It is our pleasure to announce that the Advancement for Minoritized Students in Communication Sciences & Disorders (AMSCSD) has been selected as the group winner of the 2023 University of Kansas (KU) Medical Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. This award recognizes the significant achievements of faculty, staff, departments, and organizations in developing and enhancing a more culturally diverse, competent, equitable and inclusive university community. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, April 26, from noon - 1:30 p.m. at KU Edwards. We would love for you to join us in person and provide us the honor of presenting the award plaque to you at the ceremony; if that is not possible, you may join the ceremony virtually at https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/93431716175.

Please join us in congratulating Camryn Bockleman on being chosen for the CASC Clinical Fellowship at the Waisman Center. This was an extremely competitive process, and it will be an excellent opportunity for Camryn. This is also the second year in a row that we’ve had one our students offered this position.

Mackenzie Bravence has been selected as the recipient of the Courtwright Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence for the Summer/Fall 2022 semesters. This award recognizes outstanding undergraduate research accomplishments and comes with a $500 award. Her project is titled, “The Quality of Vocalizations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”.

Fall 2022 UGRA award winners:

Two SPLH students receiving awards for fall 2022 are listed below in alphabetical order along with year in school, hometown, project title, mentor and mentor’s department:

Jaydin Chase, a senior from Ankeny, Iowa, “Reading Intervention in Autistic Adults: Comparing Past Teachings to Current Perspectives,” mentored by Meghan Davidson, assistant professor of speech-language-hearing.

Danielle Pulido, a senior from St. Joseph, Missouri, “Determining the Feasibility of Using Eye-Tracking Technology to Examine Listening Comprehension,” mentored by Meghan Davidson, assistant professor of speech-language-hearing.

Karlin McGarvey and Morgan Oliver received an Outstanding Presentation Award for their KU Undergraduate Research Symposium presentation titled “The influence of sample length on reliability of language sample measures for young deaf and hard of hearing children”.

Nicola Santangelo awarded a Summer 2021 UGRA with Dr. Jena McDaniel.

Randi Hutto awarded a Fall 2020 UGRA with Dr. Meghan Davidson.

Alondra Del Real received Honorable Mention for 2020 Therapy Insights Essay Contest for essay titled "The Lack of Diversity in the Field of Speech-Language Pathology."

Emily Sonsthagen presented a Poster in the 23rd Undergraduate Research Symposium(pdf) on April 25, 2020.

Emily Sonsthagen received an Outstanding Presentation Award at Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Sophia Moore and Michaela Russ, SPLH UG students selected as University Scholars.

KUSAAC is the KU Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It was founded in the spring of 2021 and just wrapped up its first year. "Many professionals have a need to know about AAC systems including teachers,music therapists, nurses, and doctors. KUSAAC's mission is to provide a space for students at the University of Kansas to develop professional skills in the area of AAC through participation learning opportunities in the Russell Pardee AAC Lab, as well as opportunities advocacy, and outreach in the area of AAC. During the first year, the board organized five educational events and fou fundraisers to raise money for future events. These events provided students particularly undergraduate students, opportunities to learn and explore technology in a low stakes environment that was not associated with any grade."  KUSAAC was awarded the SILC's Rock Chalk Recognition Award from the Student Involvement & Leadership Center. 

Faculty/Staff Accomplishments

Congratulations to Dr. Mabel Rice who received the first ever Dean's Excellence Award! 

Congratulations to Sarah Domingos, who won not only the July 2023 Employee of the Month award but also took home the distinction of winning the Employee of the Year 2023 award which is a very prestigious honor. Sarah Domingos has become an irreplaceable figure in the Schiefelbusch Clinic.

Congratulations to Brittney Tyler-Milholland Ph.D. this year's Award recipient of the 2022-2023 Outstanding Graduate Support Staff Award. Thank you, Brittney, for your dedication and outstanding support of our Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders graduate students.

Ana Paula Mumy has recently completed her clinical doctorate in the SLPD program. She was also named the Professional of the Year by the National Stuttering Association. Congratulations on your award and completion of your doctorate. Outstanding job!

Nancy Brady has received two research grants, first FXS: Late Adolescence and Early Adulthood.This competitive renewal is a 5-year R01 funded by the National Institutes of Health. Along with Discovering Novel Predictors of Minimally Verbal Outcomes in Autism Through Computational Modeling. This is a new 5-year R01 in collaboration with colleagues at Georgia Institute of Technology and Vanderbilt University. It is also funded by the National Institutes of Health. Congratulations to Nancy! Well done!

Steve Warren approved for Emeritus status. After 23 years of exemplary service to the University of Kansas, Dr. Warren will be Distinguished Emeritus Professor beginning August 18, 2022.

Congratulations to Lindsey Heidrick and Melanie Somogie! University of Kansas Medical Center has been selected as a 2022 SPEAK OUT! ® & LOUD CROWD® Grant Recipient! from the Parkinson Voice Project. This will allow the Speech-Language Pathology master's program to partner with TUKHS out-patient SLPs to provide individual and group therapy for the Parkinson's community. Additionally, the program will be able to provide free training for all our graduate students!

Megan Davidson and Jena McDaniel (Post doc) will each be receiving ASHA Foundation New Investigator Research Grants!