Strategic Plan 2015-2023

Goals, Objectives, and Actions

Enhance the research enterprise of the department

  • Better integrate the research laboratories with the Speech and Hearing Clinic
    • Submit a training grant: Working title, “Preparing audiologists and speech-language pathologists to evaluate and treat children with auditory processing disorders.”
  • Facilitate grant submissions by all faculty
    • Secure a course release for 1-2 faculty members for the purpose of preparing a grant application to a Federal agency.
  • Expand post award grants management
  • Secure additional departmental space for research-related activities
    • Purchase a low-cost, high-performance sound booth in one of the newly renovated lab spaces in the Speech and Hearing Center.
    • Conduct 1-2 research projects in the Behavioral Sciences Laboratory.

Modernize facilities in design and function to better support best clinical practices

  • Improve administration of the Speech and Hearing Clinic
    • Hire a Clinic Manager (generate a list of duties and responsibilities).
  • Procure cutting-edge clinical equipment
    • Partner with an equipment vendor to sponsor a continuing education workshop for students and off-campus supervisors in exchange for discounted (50% minimum) equipment purchases.
  • Establish resources to facilitate mobility and accessibility of services
    • Acquire a portable audiometer with real-time noise monitoring capable of delivering a full complement of audiologic services to clients in places lacking an adequate sound booth, e.g., nursing homes, community centers, public health clinics, schools, daycare centers, etc.
  • Develop effective telepractice and simulated training infrastructure
    • Establish 1-2 off-campus site where audiology services including hearing aid fitting are provided via tele-practice methods.
    • During 2016 and 2017 we will explore the extent to which completing simulated dx cases increases students baseline performance on measures of assessment practices. 
  • Further enhance specialized services to develop areas of excellence
    • Initiate one half-day ‘Specialty Clinic in Audiology.’  Possible specialties include infant & toddler ABR testing (non-sedated), evaluation and treatment of auditory processing disorders, vestibular disorders screening, tinnitus assessment and management.
    • Clinical faculty will explore feasibility of developing services in the area of voice and diagnostics for children with autism or developmental disabilities during AY 2016-2017.

Improve the quality of the graduate programs

  • Attract top student talent with enhanced recruitment packages and training grants
    • Apply for a training grant.
  • Better prepare PhD students for research-intensive postdoc and faculty positions
    • 1-2 doctoral students apply for an Individual Predoctoral NRSA Dual-Degree Fellowship (NIH F30).
  • Rigorously train professional students in evidence-based clinical practices
    • 1-2 graduate students apply for an NRSA Short-term Research Training Fellowship (NIH T35).
  • Hire faculty who will foster diverse research and clinical interests while also contributing to a high quality curriculum
    • Hire one Clinical Assistant Professor in AUD (NTT).
    • Hire one Clinical Assistant Professor in SLP (NTT).
    • Hire one Assistant or Associate Professor in AUD (TTN).
    • Hire 2-3 Assistant or Associate Professors in SLP (TTN).

Innovate learning experiences to optimize development of professional knowledge and skills

  • Streamline the core curriculum
    • Merge content of CSD 394H (Aural Rehabilitation) into other courses in the AuD curriculum.
    • Offer the following courses on a 3-yr cycle rather than a 1-yr cycle, e.g., CSD 394D, Hearing Conservation; CSD 395H, Problems in Deafness; and CSD 396D, Auditory Processing Disorders.
    • SLP faculty will redesign curriculum in Spring, 2016 for implementation starting Fall, 2017.
  • Expand electives to allow for specialization
    • Streamlining MA SLP offerings may allow greater opportunities for advanced electives
  • Promote opportunities for students to integrate current research knowledge and clinical skills
    • Move CSD 396N, Research in CSD to the first year.
    • Distribute the AuD Research Project over two semesters rather than just a single semester.
  • Establish more extensive collaborations with local medical programs
    • Explore on-site clinical opportunities with Dell Medical School

Strengthen the undergraduate academic experience

  • Restructure undergraduate honors program to incorporate a significant research experience
    • Include CSD 378, Clinical Audiology and CSD 178L, Clinical Audiology Lab in the CSD Honors Program.
  • Enhance undergraduate pre-clinical experiences
    • Offer clinic to 2-3 undergraduate students on a competitive basis (spring semester only).
  • Add specialized and interdisciplinary courses to curriculum
  • Increase participation of tenure-track faculty in undergraduate education
    • Decreasing the frequency that selected graduate courses are offered will enable opportunities for greater faculty participation in undergraduate education.
  • Better integrate undergraduate students in the scholarly life of the department
    • Sponsor a CSD Undergraduate Research Day.
  • Develop international collaborations to enhance undergraduate education
    • Identify three international universities that provide education in English and offer 4-5 courses equivalent to those in the CSD major.

Better engage with the community

  • Provide greater support for community outreach
    • Acquire a portable audiometer with real-time noise monitoring to deliver the full complement of audiologic services and establish a clinic schedule that enables expanded off-campus opportunities for clinical faculty.
  • Foster a collaborative environment with local professionals
    • Sponsor one continuing education workshop for off-campus supervisors.
  • Develop opportunities for continuing and distance education
    • Sponsor one free continuing education workshop for off-campus supervisors.
  • Explore the establishment of distinct certificate programs
  • Increase effective communication with alumni
    • Generate a list of AuD & SLP alumni.
  • Enhance and integrate social media presence
  • Participate in philanthropic efforts to benefit departmental infrastructure and programs
    • Work with Moody College Development Office to coordinate a formal meeting with one big donor (i.e., potential gift exceeding $500K).