First Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD Graduate Uses Personal Experience with Dyslexia to Fuel Passion

Challenging. Refining. Rewarding. 

Those are the three words that came to mind when Ruthie Knight, CCC-SLP, PhD, described her experience in Baylor University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) doctoral program. Knight is a trailblazer in Baylor CSD—earning the Department’s first PhD in May 2025, following the program’s launch in 2021. Even as she faced and overcame the obstacles in her path, Knight used her personal connection to the field as someone with dyslexia to fuel her passion, perseverance, and research. 

“It wasn’t just about earning a PhD and or getting to be called ‘Dr. Knight.’ It also changed me as a person,” Knight explained. “It allowed me to have more confidence and be able to see that I can still do things even when they are challenging. I want to be able to encourage others who have dyslexia, especially at the college level.”

Growing up, Knight recalled that she had trouble reading and spelling, and it would take her double the amount of time to complete tasks as her peers. She could not read until fifth grade, and she was diagnosed with dyslexia shortly after. Because she did not receive formal dyslexia intervention, her mom would spend hours with her doing homework and reading aloud every night.

“Though it was really hard and took me extra time, I do think these years were formative for me to grow the work ethic I have today—I give 110% to everything that I do,” Knight said. “I think this is really what helped me pursue a PhD.” 

While she used to hide her dyslexia diagnosis, Knight now proudly shares her story to motivate others and encourage them that, despite challenges, they too can achieve their goals. In the early stages of Baylor’s doctoral program, Knight wrote down her three reasons why she wanted to pursue a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders: to prove to herself she could earn the degree even with dyslexia, inspire others with dyslexia, and grow in her walk with God. She still has that list four years later and feels blessed that it has come to fruition.  

“It was rewarding—even through moments when it didn’t always feel like that,” Knight said. “I had to learn how to rely on the Lord, and He worked on my heart through it all.”

Knight worked clinically in the speech-language pathology field for three years after earning her master’s degree but decided to return to school for her PhD to grow in her knowledge and indulge in a challenge. She had attended Baylor CSD for her bachelor’s degree and knew it would also be the right fit for a doctorate program due to its integration of advanced research-intensive training with a Christian-based mission, shaping ethical leadership.

“I wanted to go to a place where I felt nurtured, encouraged, and loved because I knew it would be hard to pursue my PhD,” Knight recalled. “I had already experienced Baylor’s culture in undergrad, and I knew the CSD professors were encouraging and wanted to foster personal growth.” 

One of those professors is Michaela Ritter, EdD, CCC-SLP, who serves as the Department’s Martin Family Endowed Chair. She worked directly with Knight, providing guidance throughout the degree’s rigorous curriculum, which includes the required completion of an article for publication, the creation of a teaching portfolio, and the passing of a written comprehensive exam. 

“Ruthie viewed each challenge as an opportunity to grow, whether in research design, data collection, or balancing academic and personal responsibilities. Watching her develop her own scholarly identity has been incredibly rewarding,” Ritter said. “As our department’s inaugural PhD graduate, Ruthie’s journey certainly represents growth and possibility for future doctoral candidates.”

Knight defended her dissertation, “Timing/Learning Study Strategies, and Self-Efficacy: Factors Impacting Reading Comprehension for Postsecondary Students with Dyslexia,” in March 2025. For her research, she conducted a quasi-experimental design study on the effects of timing of the diagnosis, learning/study strategies, and self-efficacy on the reading comprehension of college students, recruiting 60 participants.

For reading comprehension, she found that learning/study strategies, specifically selecting the main idea, having lower anxiety, and having greater motivation had the greatest correlation. In the future, Knight hopes to expand the research, leaning into a qualitative perspective on the same topic.

“Her outstanding research on improving outcomes for individuals with dyslexia will make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this condition,” Ritter added. “Ruthie’s genuine dedication to serving individuals with communication disorders is the heart of her success—and it shines through in her research and teaching.”  

Before beginning Baylor’s doctoral program, Knight’s husband gifted her a plaque that read, “I will be the first student to graduate with a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders,” signed with her name at the bottom. Knight recalled moments when she doubted that would be true and admits that the thought overwhelmed her at times. Instead, she decided to “just take it day by day”—and that strategy paid off. In May 2025, she walked across Baylor’s commencement stage with the unwavering support of her family and professors in the crowd. 

“Our department has always been proud of the scholarship and expertise among our faculty and students—but celebrating our very first PhD graduate is truly monumental,” Ritter said. “Ruthie has paved the way for others, and I am confident she will continue to inspire incoming PhD students.”

After graduation, Knight plans to work alongside Ritter at CSD’s Camp Success, a language and literacy intervention summer program. During this clinical program, she will be working specifically with students who have dyslexia and potentially other communication disorders as well. In the future, Knight plans to use her earned doctoral degree in the academic setting to supervise and teach aspiring speech-language pathology undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, she aims to continue clinical work to support her teaching and facilitate future research initiatives in dyslexia.

ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.