1. RECENT MENTORED STUDENT RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATION DISORDERS AND SCIENCES
Valerie E. Boyer, PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor, Program Coordinator Communication Disorders and Sciences

2. Communication Disorders and Sciences

3. Voice health for singing majors and teacher education majors
The project tracked vocal health
via self report measures to determine
if frequent voice users were maintaining
healthy vocal hygiene habits during both
professional and personal activities.
Two student authors lead this mentored
project out of Dr. Franca’s voice lab.
Erin Koester, an undergraduate student
presented the findings at the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Convention (ASHA) in Los Angeles, CA.
Erin was selected for the PROGENY
program based on the quality of her
work.

4. Autism spectrum disorder and the criminal justice system
The project aimed to facilitate increased awareness of social and communication aspects of
autism spectrum disorder among law students and increase awareness of aspects of the
criminal justice system that require communication skills. Erin partnered with Melissa Marlow in
the SIUC School of Law.

5. Auditory processing disorder awareness among educators
Chandra Gilliam, an undergraduate major in
CDS, completed an undergraduate thesis project
mentored by Atheana Meadows, CCC-A. Chandra
surveyed educators in the region regarding their
knowledge of and accommodation for students with
auditory processing disorders. Chandra presented
results of this survey investigation at the Illinois
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA)
Convention in Rosemont, IL.

6. Current standards on neuropathic treatment dosage
This project is focused on identifying current best practices related to exercise
dosage recommendations for speech exercise following a neurological event. A
graduate student, Olivia O’Donnell, has led this project presenting the current phase
at the Illinois State Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention (ISHA) in
Rosemont, IL.