CAA-accredited programs elect the academic and practitioner members of the CAA. Each program, whether accredited in audiology or speech-language pathology, may cast one vote for each vacancy on the CAA, regardless of whether the position is in audiology or speech-language pathology. Candidacy programs are not eligible to vote.
Program directors are encouraged to include all faculty in the relevant profession in the discussion regarding the vote to be cast by the program. Programs are encouraged to review the roles and responsibilities of CAA members as outlined in Chapter V: Operation of the Council on Academic Accreditation in the Accreditation Handbook when considering the candidates for each position as well as the current CAA roster.
The CAA will provide the program director for each accredited program in good-standing instructions and the link to the election site. Online voting is planned to begin Wednesday, August 31, 2022, and will end Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
All candidates will be notified as described in Chapter VI: Nominating Committee of the Accreditation Handbook. After the candidates have received a notification, the election results will be announced via appropriate publication vehicles.
The CAA Nominating Committee developed the slates of candidates from among the submitted volunteer applications, for positions on the CAA beginning January 1, 2023. Accredited programs will select from among the candidates to fill the four vacancies.
For this election, the CAA is running ballots for both 3-year and 4-year terms for academic speech-language pathologists in an effort to rebalance the rotation of individuals serving in that capacity on the council.
Director of Communication Studies and Services
Rochester Institute of Technology/ National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID)
Rochester, New York
I have worked as an audiologist at the Rochester Institute of Technology/ National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID) since 2004. My goal was always to work in academia and I was able to land my dream job fresh out of graduate school. I have been a clinical audiologist for many years and my role includes audiometric assessments, hearing aid fittings, cochlear implant mappings, bimodal fittings, assistive devices and aural rehabilitation. As an audiologist and teacher of the deaf, my work also includes a heavy teaching component with developing curriculum not only for my home department (Communication Studies and Services), but also the Master's in Secondary Special Education (MSSE) department at RIT and most recently the AuD program at Syracuse University. My supervisory experience is robust with each academic year hosting a 4th year AuD extern as well as a full-time speech-language graduate student and other 2nd and 3rd year AuD students.
My academic accreditation experience is limited related to ASHA, but I have been involved in the accreditation of the MSSE, deaf education, program at RIT, as well as the campus wide Middle States accreditation at RIT.
I think that my experience with clinical practices, supervision, teaching/curriculum and accreditation would be an asset to the CAA team. Thank you for taking the time to review my statement of expertise as part of the election process for the CAA.
Senior Audiologist/CEO
The Hearing Center of NE PA and ACE Hearing Centers
Kingston, Pennsylvania
I believe I bring a long history of being a clinical audiologist that has helped shape our profession. I admit I have been critical of universities who train our future professionals, but I do so because I care. If we are to grow and continue to serve those with communication problems, we must not be resistant to change. I am honored to be part of a profession of highly trained and educated professionals who help people! I want the future professionals to be better trained and educated!
Acting Department Chairperson, Graduate Coordinator, and Assistant Professor
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, South Carolina
I bring experience with leading a department through a virtual re-accreditation visit and an in-person follow-up visit. As the acting department chair, I work daily with the implementation of graduate curriculum and clinical training development that includes considerations and adaptations for minority learners.
Graduate Program Director and Full Professor
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama
My broad professional experiences have helped me develop the perspectives and skills to serve the CAA. I would bring skills that span leadership, clinical service provision, clinical education, and a passion for service. I have been a department chair, a program director, a faculty member, clinical educator, clinical coordinator, member of university planning, finance, and assessment committees, and board member for a local agency serving young children with disabilities. Currently as a program chair for a newly accredited program, I have guided the program through a successful full accreditation site visit. As a former department chair, I guided the program in re-establishing compliance for implementation of CAA accreditation standards. Through re-accreditation activities and annual reporting for the last 16 years, I have established strong knowledge of academic accreditation. As Board member for CTLC, I supported the agency in CARF/NAEYC accreditation activities and management of quality of services. Additionally, I have had interest in clinical education and the supervisory process, which inspired my doctoral research in the area of clinical supervision. These experiences have allowed me to develop skills in educational and clinical standards assessment and implementation, curriculum development, quality management, the ability to consider multiple viewpoints, and knowledge of the academic, clinical, and research trends of the profession. I am ready to serve the CAA to support standards of excellence in light of evolving trends that impact the profession, to advocate for the science and practice of preparing future professionals, and to support the CAA in achieving its mission.
Associate Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
College of Education, Health, and Human Services
California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, California
Prior to CSUSM, I was part- time faculty at San Diego State University and The University of Iowa. In these positions, I taught classes and supervised graduate clinical practicum. Although I did not directly participate in accreditation at these universities, my experiences provide me with knowledge and skills to contribute to academic accreditation and graduate curriculum in my current position.
At CSUSM, each member of our faculty participates in all aspects of program development. When I began as a tenure-track faculty member in August 2014, I was a three-year term member on the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC). During this time, this service proved to be invaluable to our department and chair during the accreditation process. Additionally, given this knowledge and experience, I have served as an advisor to our students with certification questions.
Each year, I work closely with the department chair to develop a graduate curriculum that meets current standards. I also mentor adjunct faculty to develop student learning outcomes in coursework and clinical practicum that meet accreditation standards. During COVID and for the post-bc program, this includes online teaching.
Lastly, clinical education has always played a large role in my development as a professional. I began my career as a clinical educator. My knowledge and skills in clinical education have led to research and service in this area. I believe that my varied experiences and unique contributions will allow me to be an effective and productive CAA member.
Tenured Professor, Chairperson and Graduate Program Director
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus
Chapman University
Irvine, California
I view the work of the CAA to be at the heart of the profession, and would relish the opportunity to muster the knowledge I have gleaned from serving at several universities (state, private, PWI, HBCU) to help strengthen policies and procedures that will ensure that SLP graduates are prepared to provide quality care for a diverse clientele with excellence. I recognize that the work will be time intensive, but am willing to devote my energy to this assignment if selected to serve, because of the seriousness of accreditation matters and the role that the CAA has in making a difference; a difference one program at a time, that collectively means enhanced quality of care for people with communication disabilities which is the ultimate desired outcome for this great profession. Personal qualities that support CAA service include:
Associate Professor and Program Director
Communication Disorders and Sciences Program
School of Health Sciences
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois
I have been a faculty member at a CAA accredited program for almost 13 years. I have experience leading accreditation self-study, site visit, and annual reporting. Our graduate program has diversified its offerings and clinical opportunities including two on-campus clinical settings, telehealth clinical opportunities, and expansive externship placement sites. We have recently established an online, asynchronous, leveling course sequence for students wanting to go to graduate school in the CDS program but without the necessary prerequisite courses. This leveling curriculum is increasing in popularity and leading to increased SIU admissions to our graduate program.
Our campus has reorganized with our program moving from College of Education to a College of Health and Human Sciences. As part of the School of Health Sciences, I have been a member of our operating paper committee. I also coordinate workload recommendations to our school director. The re-organization has been difficult for many programs. The CDS program has maintained strong graduate enrollment and a significant positive percentage of SIU students choosing to stay at SIU for graduate school.
Associate Professor and Program Director
Department of Otolaryngology-Head/Neck Surgery-and Communicative Disorders
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Thank you for reviewing this statement of expertise as a component of the vetting process to identify the next members of the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). I wish to serve as an academic speech-language pathology member.
My philosophy within higher education centers on commitments that comprise teaching excellence, scholarly pursuits, and service. To that end, I am an associate professor and serve as the director for the graduate program in CSD at the University of Louisville (UofL); a position I have held since 2014. I have been a faculty member since 2008. I balance my time between administration, teaching, advising, and elected clinical responsibilities.
I have been a practicing SLP since 2003. I routinely serve as lead instructor for 1–2 graduate courses each semester. I have also successfully mentored student thesis research and provided committee membership to others. Clinically, I am a consultant with the Department for Disability Determination Services; an arm of the Social Security Administration. I have been a site visitor for the CAA since 2019. I am passionate about the accreditation process and deeply respect the principles and standards on which accreditation is based. I am a logical and organized individual and strongly feel that my set of skills and abilities will serve the CAA well.