Professional Development in Pursuit of Excellence
Faculty in Baylor University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) are not satisfied with the minimum. They expect more than minimum effort from their students in the classroom. They encourage more than minimum progress in their clients at the Baylor Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic. And they expect more from themselves.
As determined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), speech-language pathologists are required to obtain a master’s degree in order to be eligible to hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and practice independently. All Baylor CSD clinical faculty have done just that—and more. The CSD professors are consistently engaging in professional development and continuing education opportunities to further their own knowledge and expand their expertise. They embrace a culture of lifelong learning and a commitment to service-driven excellence.
Recently, several CSD clinical faculty have chosen to pursue additional education by enrolling in doctoral programs. While this is not a possibility for all faculty members due to time and other constraints, five professors are currently engaged in doctoral studies.
“It’s an opportunity for them to deepen their research skills and expand their expertise in evidence-based practice,” Department Chair Michaela Ritter, EdD, CCC-SLP, said. “Our CSD faculty are dedicated to excellence, continually striving to stay at the forefront and gain as much knowledge as possible.”
These clinical faculty are compelled by the impact a doctoral education can provide them. For example, their studies might allow them to elevate the learning experience of their Baylor CSD students or improve outcomes for the individuals they serve in the Clinic.
Clinical Assistant Professor Kristle Soto, CCC-SLP, was inspired to pursue a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction following the opening of the preschool program in the Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice.
“The children we are serving, and have served, have made exceptional gains in communication, play, and social skills. I am motivated by their progress and want to share what we are doing with others,” Soto said. “My hope is that, through research, we will be better able to pinpoint what is working to promote language growth and then share that information with a larger audience.”
Soto also shared how the coursework she is taking on pedagogy and universal design for learning is improving her skills as an instructor. This past semester, she incorporated case studies and more project-based learning for her undergraduate students, resulting in positive student reviews and a more engaged class culture.
Samantha Dvorak, SLPD, CCC-SLP, Associate Chair for Residential Academic Programs, Undergraduate Program Director, and Clinical Associate Professor, completed her Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) degree in 2018 and is now pursuing a EdD in Higher Education. Like Soto, Dvorak emphasizes how the degree program is enabling her to become a better teacher. While she has experience running research studies and writing manuscripts from her previous doctoral program, her focus has now shifted to pedagogy in higher education, and the evidence of her education—improved syllabi, utilizing more and multiple modalities for learning activities—are already apparent in the classroom.
Clinical Assistant Professor Kristen Davis, CCC-SLP, is pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in culturally responsive literacy practices right here at Baylor and hopes her experiences in the program have far-reaching impact.
“There’s a lot that speech pathology can offer. People don’t always see that it’s interconnected with reading, literary practices, and writing. Often, if there’s difficulty with reading and writing, there’s difficulty with the language areas,” Davis explained. “I’m really looking into collaboration with teachers—speech-language pathologists being able to help teachers and teachers being able to help speech-language pathologists.”
In addition to Soto, Dvorak, and Davis, Clinical Assistant Professor Nicki Brown, CCC-SLP, and Clinical Associate Professor Jana Parker, CCC-SLP, are also pursuing doctoral degrees—the SLPD. Different from a PhD or EdD, this degree is focused clinical practice and preparing speech-language pathologists for advanced professional roles.
As Department Chair, Ritter sees the valuable contributions her faculty provide across the Clinic, the classroom, their research, and the field through their ongoing professional development pursuits. She believes that “continuous learning is essential for both personal and professional growth.” Thus, she encourages her team to continually pursue knowledge and growth—whether through doctoral programs or other avenues.
Inspired by the impact they can make and their dedication to excellence in service, Baylor CSD faculty are exemplars of the call: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23).