Faculty Supervisors

Debra L. Burnett, M.A., Instructor, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.S. and M.A. degrees from State University of New York, College at Geneseo
• Ph.D. Candidate at Syracuse University
• CCC in Speech-Language Pathology
• Areas of interest and specialty:
  • Child language development & disorders with a focus in the areas of pragmatics and figurative language comprehension within both typically developing and disordered populations (e.g., autism spectrum disorders, specific language impairment)
• E-mail:

Maribeth Chrest, M.S., Instructor, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.A. and M.S. degrees from Kansas State University
• CCC in Speech-Language Pathology
• Areas of Interest and Specialty:
  • Communication issues associated with autism spectrum disorders, Pre-K – 12th grade students, and the geriatric population (including dysphagia)
  • clinical instruction
• E-mail:

Jane Mertz Garcia, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Graduate Faculty, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.S. degree from Kansas State University, M.S. degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Ph.D. from the University of South Alabama
• CCC in Speech-Language Pathology
• Areas of interest and specialty:
  • Motor speech disorders
  • acquired language disorders & cognitive disorders in adults
  • dysphagia
• E-mail:

Robert G. Garcia, Au.D., M.B.A., Program Director, Graduate Faculty, Clinical Audiology Supervisor

• B.S. and M.S. degrees from University of Nebraska-Lincoln; M.B.A. from University of South Alabama; Doctor of Audiology from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Arizona School of Health Sciences
• CCC in Audiology
• Areas of interest and specialty:
  • Clinical Audiology
  • database management
  • business management
• E-mail:

Melanie Hilgers, M.S., Clinic Director, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.S. and M.S. degrees from Fort Hays State University
• CCC in Speech-Language Pathology
• Areas of interest and specialty:
  • Communication development and disorders associated with preschool through school-aged population and clinical instruction
• E-mail:

Linda Hoag, Ph.D., Professor, Graduate Faculty, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.A. degree from University of Washington, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois
• CCC in Speech-Language Pathology
• Areas of interest and specialty:
  • Augmentative & alternative communication
  • voice & resonance disorders
  • orofacial anomalies
  • speech science
• E-mail:

Susan Meier, M.A., Instructor, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.S. and M.A. degrees from Kansas State University
• CCC in Speech-Language Pathology
• Areas of interest and specialty:
  • communication issues associated with autism spectrum disorders
  • communication disorders and delays with infant/toddler, preschool, and school age population
  • clinical instruction
• E-mail:

Ann Bosma Smit, Ph.D., Professor, Graduate Faculty, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.A. degree from Calvin College, M.A. degree from the University of Iowa, and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland
• CCC in Speech-language Pathology
• Areas of Interest and Specialty:
  • Articulatory/phonological disorders, fluency, and clinical research
• E-mail:

Barbara R. Weltsch, M.S., Instructor, Clinical Speech-Language Supervisor

• B.G.S. degree from Auburn University and M.S. degree from Adelphi University
• CCC in Speech-Language Pathology
• Areas of Interest and Specialty:
  • Communication disorders and delays in early childhood and K-5 students
  • public school I.E.P. regulations, clinical teaching strategies
• Email: