Mission & Strategic Plan

Mission Statement for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Programs 

 

Our mission is to:

Prepare future professionals who will:

  • provide ethical, compassionate, and evidenced-based clinical services across the scope of practice for their profession;
  • advocate for and facilitate communication development and well-being across the lifespan;
  • work effectively with diverse populations in diverse environments;
  • work collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines.

Foster an academic environment that will: 

  • inspire students to develop critical thinking skills, cultural competence, and clinical expertise;
  • support faculty in the creation and integration of innovative teaching strategies, experiential learning, and research;
  • support faculty professional and leadership development.

 

Strategic Plan 2024-2029 for Speech Language Pathology & Audiology Programs 

 

Goals & Objectives: 

Goal #1: Enhance student clinical education, clinical service provision to citizens of the Mid-Atlantic Region, and outreach and education to the community.

  • Objective 1.1: Provide opportunities for student and faculty development in the area of cultural humility.
  • Objective 1.2: Strengthen academic-community collaborations that provide clinical and educational outreach and research opportunities.
  • Objective 1.3: Provide opportunities for students to develop self-reflection and evaluation skills,  including a focus on how they can enhance patient/client well-being for a diverse population. 
  • Objective 1.4: Provide opportunities for students to participate in interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofssional practices (IPP).
  • Objective 1.5: Support development of clinical skills by providing breadth and depth of clinical learning experiences.
  • Objective 1.6: Examine program requirements, curriculum, and strategic plan relative to the changing needs of the professions and make changes as needed.

Goal #2: Create opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and life-long learning skills.

  • Objective 2.1: Provide learning opportunities for students to develop critical thinking skills within and outside the classroom. 
  • Objective 2.2: Provide all students with the knowledge and skills required to be informed consumers of research.
  • Objective 2.3: Provide opportunities for students to develop knowledge and skills in clinical decision making for a diverse population. 

Goal #3: Support faculty and student research initiatives.

  • Objective 3.1: Provide support for undergraduate and graduate students to develop research studies, collect and analyze data, and disseminate research findings at state, national, and/or international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. 
  • Objective 3.2: Develop a wide array of clinical, research, and/or interprofessional collaborations resulting in expanded student and faculty experiences in this area. 
  • Objective 3.3: Provide opportunities for faculty/student collaborations to share research findings at the department, college, university, and community levels.
  • Objective 3.4: Celebrate faculty and student scholarly accomplishments with students, faculty, alumni, and other community members.

Goal #4: Support faculty professional and leadership development.

  • Objective 4.1: Provide professional development opportunities for faculty in pedagogy and advising, including the use of technology to support faculty in teaching and advising for a diverse student population. 
  • Objective 4.2: Examine and improve faculty peer evaluation and mentoring process.
  • Objective 4.3: Examine and streamline time-consuming administrative and service tasks to enhance faculty time available for teaching and scholarship projects.
  • Objective 4.4: Collaborate with university entities to facilitate training opportunities in conflict management for SPPA faculty and staff.
  • Objective 4.5: Collaborate with university entities to facilitate time management/organizational skills training opportunities for faculty and staff.
  • Objective 4.6: Identify faculty interested in academic leadership and provide leadership development opportunities.

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology commits to nurturing an academic environment that welcomes and fosters students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. As we strive to enhance belonging and well-being in our department and our professions, we emphasize the need for social justice-focused language and action. We recognize a critical need for cultural humility and direct accountability as we work towards research, teaching, and service opportunities that are equitable for all. For more information about our specific initiatives, please visit our Equity & Belonging Action Plan 

Progress towards these goals and objectives will be evaluated in January and May of each academic year. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, off-campus supervisors, administrators, and other interested parties are welcome to provide feedback to the department chairperson, Dr. Kaitlyn Wilson, at .