M.S. Speech-Language Pathology (2006)
Teachers College, Columbia University (NY)
B.S. Communication Sciences and Disorders (2004)
Pennsylvania State University (PA)
I joined Widener University in January of 2022 as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Institute for Speech-Language Pathology in the College of Health & Human Services.
As a clinical educator, my teaching philosophy centers around guiding students to become scholarly practitioners with a passion to make change. I provide “hands-on” educational experiences and problem-based learning to teach students to think critically using evidenced-based practice, respect cultural and linguistic diversity, and work collaboratively. My primary clinical interests include working with people with complex communication needs; helping to find their voice via Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
I have been a Speech-Language Pathologist for over 15 years and have extensive experience working with children with a variety of developmental disabilities including cognitive disabilities, cerebral palsy, and Autism, as well as delays in articulation, auditory processing, syntax and semantics, word finding, narrative language, written language, pragmatics, and executive functioning. I began my career working in specialized public schools within the New York City Department of Special Education fostering multi-disciplinary service delivery.
Prior to joining the faculty at Widener, I was the Diagnostics Coordinator and a Clinical Instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University for over 10 years. I supervised graduate students providing evaluations and treatment across the lifespan and developed specialized clinical training programs, including a camp for children who use AAC, a social group for families who use AAC, and an AAC device evaluation program for adults.
I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with high distinction, at The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science Degree in Speech and Language Pathology at Teachers College, Columbia University.
American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
Widener's College of Health and Human Services partnered with Youth Development United to educate local kids and their families about jobs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech- language pathology through hands-on activities. Program Director of the Institute for Physical Therapy Education Adrienne Pickney, and Clinical Associate Professors Lydia Navarro-Walker and Lindsay Milgram are quoted.