CUW Speech-Language Pathology

Faculty Spotlight ✨
Meet Dr. Beth Eernisse, chair of the CUW Speech-Language Pathology program!

Dr. Elizabeth R. Eernisse, CCC-SLP serves as Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Concordia University Wisconsin. She holds a doctorate in Communication Sciences and Disorders, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology. Her clinical experience and research interests include speech, language, and literacy in preschool and elementary populations, curriculum development, and assessment. She teaches graduate coursework in child language disorders & professional issues, and counseling.

In other words: she helps shape future SLPs, supports our department with excellence, and somehow still has the wisdom to answer “Custard or curds?” with “Can I have both?” Honestly, iconic.

We’re grateful for her leadership, expertise, and the care she brings to CUW SLP every day. 💙🧡

Service Highlight!

The CUW Chapter of NSSLHA would like to take a moment to thank our Wisconsin State Officer, our own Amanda Rieck(!) for her service to all NSSLHA chapters in the state of Wisconsin over the past year. In this position, Amanda built relationships with chapters, members, and our state association. She represented SLP students in the state of Wisconsin as she gathered and communicated accurate information between our state chapters and our National NSSLHA organization.

Current students can find more information on this service position here: https://www.nsslha.org/student-leadership/student-state-officer-position-descriptions/

Continuing the theme of service in her life, Amanda is taking a gap year to serve in the international mission field before beginning her graduate studies. Thank you for your service Amanda, and may God bless you and keep you while serving Christ in the church and the world!

Congratulations to the award recipients recognized at this year’s Evidence in Practice Symposium 🏆

This interdisciplinary event highlighted thoughtful research, collaboration, clinical application, and evidence-informed practice across the School of Health Professions.

Award recipients:

• Most Impactful Podium for Interprofessional Practice
Allison Newcomb (SLP)
Interprofessional Training and Cafeteria Practices for Safe Feeding in Schools

• Best Overall Podium
Allie and Makenzie (OT)
State Regulations for Lactation Accommodations in the Workplace

• Most Impactful Poster for Interprofessional Practice
Payton Navis (SLP)
The Role of the School-Based SLP in Concussion Recovery for High School Athletes

• Most Visually Appealing Poster
Kaitlyn Dulle (SLP)
Context Matters: How Anxiety Impacts Classroom Communication and SLP Decision Making

• Best Overall Poster
Faith Rodesiler (OT)
The Effect of Group Education on Breastfeeding Mothers

Congratulations to all presenters and award recipients for contributing to a meaningful afternoon of interdisciplinary learning and professional growth.
Events like the Evidence in Practice Symposium reflect the mission of the School of Health Professions and Concordia University Wisconsin: preparing compassionate, evidence-informed professionals equipped to serve individuals, families, and communities through collaborative care and lifelong learning.

Evidence in Practice Symposium Spotlight 🎤

Rachel Scannell, M.S., CCC-SLP and Olivia Mecham, M.S., CCC-SLP brought their expertise as practicing school-based speech-language pathologists in Milwaukee Public Schools to this year’s interdisciplinary Evidence in Practice Symposium.

Their poster,
“Implementing Inclusive Speech-Language Pathology Practices in Post-COVID Schools,”
explored how inclusive service delivery models can support language, academic, and social-emotional development for students navigating the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their work highlighted:
• inclusive and classroom-based service delivery
• peer interaction and authentic communication opportunities
• access to services within the least restrictive environment
• practical and evidence-based solutions to implementation barriers

As practicing clinicians, Rachel and Olivia contributed valuable real-world insight to conversations surrounding school-based practice, collaboration, and student participation. Their involvement helped bridge current clinical realities with graduate student learning and interdisciplinary discussion throughout the symposium.

We are grateful for their partnership, expertise, and continued commitment to supporting students, schools, and future clinicians.

The best part of the Evidence in Practice Symposium might have been everything happening between the presentations 🎤

Students discussing ideas with faculty. Interdisciplinary conversations between future clinicians. Research, collaboration, mentorship, problem-solving, and a lot of thoughtful conversation packed into one afternoon.

Learning does not just happen at the podium or poster board - it also happens in the questions, connections, and shared curiosity along the way.

Proud of our CUW SLP, OT, and DMS students for representing the profession with professionalism, collaboration, and evidence-informed thinking throughout the event.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: MADISON POST

“I chose to become an SLP to support people in some of their most vulnerable moments, when their ability to communicate or function feels uncertain. I want to be a steady source of encouragement and hope—helping them rebuild confidence, find their voice again, and see progress even in small steps.”

Madison chose Concordia because of the opportunity to learn from educators with expertise across the full SLP scope of practice. In her words, CUW SLP offered “a well-rounded and deeply informed foundation” and felt like the best place to be “challenged, supported, and fully prepared for the field.”

This summer, Madison is completing her clinical practicum with the SLP team in the BRAVE program through the Medical College of Wisconsin, an intensive outpatient program serving veterans with traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and other “invisible wounds.” The program emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care through a highly collaborative, interprofessional team.

During her time at CUW, Madison has sought out opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the clinic and community. She has taken on leadership roles, organized large-scale fundraisers as president of a team supporting children with apraxia, advocated for causes she cares deeply about, promoted person-centered and trauma-informed care, and discussed this work on the radio alongside a faculty expert. Madison was also awarded Student of the Month at Concordia this year.

“One skill I’ve made significant progress in this year is my self-awareness and ability to channel traits of my ADHD and OCD in a way that benefits my clinical work. I’ve learned to recognize how these traits can be strengths—such as attention to detail, persistence, and creativity—while also developing strategies to better organize and manage them to provide more effective, client-centered care.”

We are grateful for the way Madison brings leadership, advocacy, clinical curiosity, and heart to her work as a CUW SLP student.

“Thanks for being you and offering so many cool experiences to your students and making this program that much better of an experience for us!!”
—Madison Post

Evidence in Practice Symposium Spotlight 🎤

CUW SLP graduate students Korryn Hamm and Katie Maeng presented research focused on emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, and responsive school-based support for students with communication needs.

Their projects explored:
• speech-language needs in students with emotional and behavioral disorders
• the relationship between communication, regulation, and school participation
• trauma-informed care practices within school-based speech-language pathology
• the importance of supportive, collaborative, and student-centered intervention approaches

Across both presentations, a common message emerged: communication and behavior cannot be understood separately from students’ emotional experiences and environments. Their work emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, responsive care, and creating school environments that support both communication and overall student well-being.

We are proud of these students for their thoughtful work supporting compassionate and evidence-informed school-based practice.

On Friday May 29th, 12 CUW SLP Graduate students volunteered their day to support and celebrate the children at the Early Learning Center (ELC) in Sheboygan.
They facilitated parachute play, painted faces, played with, and were present to help make the “Fun Day” possible for approximately 350 children in the Early Childhood and 4K classes. The SLPs at the ELC support the education of CUW’s graduate SLP students, and we were more than happy to thank them with our time.


📸 Sheboygan Early Learning Center (thanks for the photos and the wonderful opportunity!)

Evidence in Practice Symposium Spotlight 🎤

CUW SLP graduate students Emily Gomez and Brandi Blake presented research focused on evidence-based intervention and clinical decision-making in school-based speech-language pathology practice.

Their projects explored:
• evidence-based intervention approaches for phonological disorders in children
• implementation of the minimal pairs approach in school settings
• barriers limiting the use of classroom-based speech-language services
• how collaboration and service delivery models impact student participation and outcomes

Across both presentations, a common message emerged: effective school-based practice requires thoughtful clinical decision-making, collaboration, and practical implementation of evidence-based strategies within real educational environments.

We are proud of these students for their work supporting accessible, collaborative, and evidence-informed school-based intervention practices.

Congratulations to our Indigo Cohort!

We are proud to celebrate this group of SLPs as they prepare to launch into their clinical fellowships and careers. This is a major milestone, and we are excited to see the impact they will make as practicing speech-language pathologists.

As a graduation gift, members of the Indigo Cohort are eligible for their first year of Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association (WSHA) membership at no cost!

WSHA is a meaningful way to stay connected to advocacy, professional learning, leadership opportunities, and a statewide network of SLPs and audiologists as they take this next step in the profession.