WTAMU Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

22/07/2025

🎉 If you’ve ever worked with, been treated by, or learned from Dr. Brenda Cross, you already know—she’s the best audiologist in Amarillo. Hands down. 👏

Dr. Cross brings an unmatched combination of expertise, compassion, and patient-centered care to everything she does. Whether helping someone hear their grandchild’s laugh for the first time or mentoring the next generation of audiologists, she gives her all—every time.
Her warmth and dedication make even the most challenging moments feel manageable. She doesn’t just treat hearing loss—she cares for people.

💙 If Dr. Cross has made a difference in your life as a patient, student, or friend, let’s show her some love! Vote for her in the Best of Amarillo under:�✅ Audiologist�✅ Hearing Aids
🗳️ Vote here: https://amarillo.gannettcontests.com/2025-Best-of-Amarillo-Communitys-Choice-Awards/gallery/497969784

Let’s help Amarillo recognize what we’ve known all along—Dr. Brenda Cross is the BEST!

Check it out now!

22/07/2025

🎉 Add another WT professor to the ASHA 2025 lineup 🎉

🌬️ Dr. Zeth Collom will be presenting
Voice & Upper Airway Practices Spotlight 🌬️

Teaming up with Emily Nauman from the University of Colorado Medical Campus – Otolaryngology and Juliana Litts from Mount Sinai Grabscheid Voice and Swallow Center – NY, these experts will present groundbreaking insights on a new potential phenotype of laryngeal muscle tension contributing to Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO).
�📅 Join them Saturday, November 22, 2025 for this in-Person Technical Clinical Session at ASHA as they take a deep dive into emerging clinical signs, real-case data, and innovative treatment strategies that may reshape how we approach upper airway breathing disorders in the clinic.

🎯 This is another proud moment for WT and a must-see session for anyone working in voice, swallowing, or airway care!

21/07/2025

🎉 Another WTAMU Alumna Selected to Present on the National Stage! 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate a standout success from the Buff community — Mandi Schaumburg, WTAMU alumna and founder of Panda Speech®, has been selected to present at the prestigious ASHA National Conference — the most influential event in the field of speech-language pathology. 🧠🎤🌟

As the lead SLP behind Panda Speech and an award-winning educational author, Mandi’s work empowers children, families, and professionals nationwide. Her selection by ASHA isn’t just an honor — it’s a testament to her leadership, innovation, and the solid foundation she built in WTAMU’s graduate program in Speech and Hearing Sciences.

➡️ From training in WTAMUU Speech & Hearing Clinic to shaping national conversations, Mandi exemplifies what it means to be a Buff: committed, compassionate, and deeply impactful.

At West Texas A&M University, we don’t just prepare students for careers — we develop visionaries who push boundaries, elevate the profession, and inspire the next generation of SLPs and audiologists.

👏 Congratulations, Mandi! Your journey is a powerful reminder of how far a WTAMU degree can take you — and how deeply it can impact others.

💬 Future SLPs — your future starts now. Are you ready to become the next leader in communication sciences?

🔗 Learn more about our graduate programs in Speech and Hearing Sciences at https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-nursing-health-sciences/department-communication-disorders/index.html

18/07/2025

🌟 From Buff to National Stage 🌟

Another WTAMU success story is making waves — and this time, it’s one of our Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences alumni! 🎓💬

We’re thrilled to share that Ashley Criswell has been accepted to present at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Conference — the premier event in the speech and hearing field. 🧠🎤🌍

➡️ From classrooms in Canyon, TX to the national spotlight, our alumni are leading, innovating, and making an impact.
This isn’t just a proud moment — it’s proof that a degree from West Texas A&M University doesn’t just open doors... it’s a launchpad for leadership and lifelong impact in the field of speech-language pathology.

Whether you're thinking about becoming a speech-language pathologist, an audiologist, or making a difference in the lives of others through communication sciences, know this:
WTAMU grads don’t just work in the field — they’re shaping its future.

🔥 Ready to follow in their footsteps?

17/07/2025

🎤 Big News from Buff Nation! 🧠💬

We’re beyond proud to announce that one of our very own professors from the WTAMU Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences has been accepted to present FOUR different presentations at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Conference — the largest and most prestigious gathering of speech-language and hearing professionals in the U.S. 🇺🇸✨

That’s right — FOUR presentations. At a national level. 🏆
This kind of recognition doesn’t happen every day... unless you're part of the WT family. 💛🤘

This achievement doesn’t just showcase the brilliance of our faculty — it highlights the next-level opportunities available to students right here at West Texas A&M University. When your professors are leading national conversations in speech and hearing sciences, you know you're learning from the best. 💯

📚 What does this mean for you?
If you’re dreaming of a future in communication sciences and disorders, WTAMU is where you want to be. Our faculty aren’t just teaching from textbooks — they’re out there pushing the field forward.

👏 Drop a 👏 in the comments to celebrate our amazing faculty!

16/07/2025

What Do SLPs Really Do? (Spoiler: A LOT.)

Most people think speech therapists just help with stutters and speech sounds.
But the truth? SLPs and audiologists are healthcare professionals who:

🔬 Diagnose neurological speech and swallowing disorders
👶 Treat feeding issues in infants
🎓 Help students succeed academically
📲 Provide communication devices for nonspeaking children
🧓 Support aging adults with dementia and other cognitive communication challenges

💥 It’s high-impact work backed by science, connection, and empathy.

📍At WTAMU, we train the next generation of compassionate and driven clinicians. Are you one of them?

🚀 Get started today: lbrown@wtamuu.edu

01/07/2025

🌟 Wrapping Up a Wonderful Summer at Opportunity School! 🗣️♥️
We've officially concluded another fantastic session of the WTAMU Speech Therapy Summer Groups at Opportunity School-and what a joyful, rewarding experience it's been!
We are incredibly grateful to Opportunity School for being such an amazing partner in this work! Your commitment to early childhood education and to nurturing the whole child is inspiring!
Thank you for welcoming our team and for the incredible impact you make in the lives of families in our community!
Together, we're helping little voices grow stronger.

30/06/2025

🎉 Another successful Summer Speech Group in the book ☀️🗣️

We're thrilled to announce the completion of another amazing session of the WTAMU Speech Therapy Summer Groups! From laughter-filled games to confidence-building communication activities, our participants made incredible strides and had a whole lot of fun along the way!
A huge THANK YOU to our dedicated graduate clinicians, faculty supervisors, and the supportive families who helped make this experience so impactful!! ♥️
Watching these young communicators grow, connect, and shine is what it's all about!! We're already looking forward to next year! Get on our call list for next summer by calling us at (806)651-5101

23/06/2025

There was a problem with the last post. Let’s try again! This information is too good to not share!!

20/06/2025

Compensatory strategies can be life-changing for those who suffer from dysphagia! Check out our rockstar graduate student, Emily Knight, who shares some simple strategies that improve safety while eating those foods you love!! 🍕🍔😁

Watch video on Screencastify

16/06/2025

Dysphagia can affect anyone, including infants.
Watch our latest video by graduate student, Marlee Hicks, to learn about cue based feeding as a way to help infants get the nutrition they need to thrive!!