Strategic Plan

2026 - 2031

Mission:

The mission of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program is to provide Ohio and the nation with a pool of person and family centered and dedicated speech-language pathologists who are dedicated to helping individuals achieve their full potential in the areas of communication, cognition, and swallowing.

Assessment timeline:

This strategic plan will be evaluated over the next five years. Data concerning each goal will be collected and assessed annually.

Goal 1:

Prepares speech-language pathologists through professional education and clinical training who can diagnose and treat a variety of communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders in a variety of settings.

Program Outcomes for Goal 1:

Graduates of the Speech-Language Pathology Program will:

Demonstrate knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, and anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for persons with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/ physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.
Demonstrate knowledge of research processes and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.
Demonstrate knowledge of standards of ethical conduct.
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary professional issues.
Demonstrate skills in oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice; and
Evaluate and treat clients across communication and swallowing disorders.

Strategies for Goal 1:

Maintain accreditation body requirements that dictate acquisition of employment, graduation, and Praxis pass rates.
Expand decision-making and initiatives for student success through data, analysis, and benchmarking.
Modify and enhance student learning assessments presently required by accrediting bodies.
Conduct recruitment, marketing, scholarships, and pipelines for diversity.
Embed cross-cultural principles and understanding within curriculum.
Provide opportunity to support to full and part-time adult and first-generation learners.
Use technology to enhance already existing online learning and to develop additional opportunities.
Assure student engagement in experiential learning activities. Provide a continuum of unique experiences that create a passport to post-graduation success.
Engage alumni, agencies, and donor base to provide student scholarships and opportunities for community partnerships to provide health and wellness services.

Goal 2:

Enhances service to the professional community through continuing education, mentoring, consulting, joint research and provision of clinical service through contracts.

Program Outcomes for Goal 2:

Consistent with retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines, faculty will engage in scholarly activities and disseminate new knowledge.
Consistent with retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines, faculty will provide service (e.g., mentoring, consulting) to the School, College, University, and community levels.
Develop and maintain clinical training sites and programs that meet needs of the community and align with the scope of practice.
Utilize faculty expertise to provide evidence-based services to the community.

Strategies for Goal 2:

Create policies and systems that reward teaching, research, service, and community engagement.
Provide opportunities for faculty to engage in evidence-based services to the community.

Goal 3:

Provides for research and clinical service through entrepreneurship and external funding from federal, state, and local agencies.

Program Outcomes for Goal 3:

Consistent with retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines and Graduate Faculty Status Criteria, faculty will engage in scholarly activities and disseminate new knowledge.
Seek external funding for faculty research, clinical training and enhancements to the Audiology and Speech Center and curriculum.
Develop and implement specialized training programs that respond to the clinical needs of clients and stakeholders in our community.
Provide opportunities for students to engage in research initiatives.
Provide opportunities for students to deliver services to the community using innovative service delivery.

Strategies for Goal 3:

Create policies and systems that reward teaching, research, service and community engagement.
Create a culture and framework for enhancing interprofessional collaborations and increased external funding within the school. Develop additional degrees/certificates/course offerings responsive to region and the state.
Increase entrepreneurial efforts of faculty that enhances health related service to the community and supports the operation of such community partnerships.

Goal 4:

Engages in professional, interprofessional practice and research partnerships in the University, regional, statewide, and national communities.

Program Outcomes for Goal 4:

Provide opportunities for students to engage in interprofessional practice.
Disseminate new knowledge in order to enhance clinical practice.
Support faculty research.
Create research partnerships locally as well as across the country.

Strategies for Goal 4:

Enhance and expand already existing partnerships with strategic collaborations with external partners in Ohio.
Solidify existing partnerships and expand opportunities for provision of health-related training within the community. Expand experiential learning and curricular engagement.
Create policies and systems that reward interprofessional teaching, research, service and community engagement.
Develop an RTP document that rewards interprofessional collaboration in research, publication, presentation and creative work.
Position the School to receive available start-up funding, adequate amount, type and quality of research space.
Expand the School’s capacity to engage with other community health related service providers by partnering to advance education, research, and shared resources.
Enhance public-private partnerships between the School and health care and educational community.
Work with other state training institutions and community partners (e.g., hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices, etc.) to provide affordable, efficient, and relevant education and services that will provide well trained SLP professionals.