University of Arkansas - Communication Sciences and Disorders

01/23/2026

🎓✨ 2026 BINGO: Goal‑Setting Edition! ✨🎓

Our January NSSLHA meeting kicked off the year with a burst of energy and intention. We created 2026 Goal Bingo cards, a playful (but purposeful!) way to map out the skills, experiences, and accomplishments we’re aiming for this year.

It was wonderful reconnecting, sharing ideas, and hearing about the professional and academic goals everyone is excited to pursue. Here’s to a year of growth, collaboration, and checking off those Bingo squares one by one!

01/21/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight ✨

We’re highlighting exciting research by Dr. Garcia-Salas! 📚🧠

His paper, "Written Morphological Complexity: Examining Links to Morphological Knowledge, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension", explores how students’ use of morphology in writing connects to vocabulary growth and reading comprehension.

This work deepens our understanding of the language–literacy connection and offers meaningful implications for assessment and instruction in reading and writing. 👏

Join us in celebrating Dr. Garcia-Salas and his contributions to literacy research! 🌟

Vocabulary SLPResearch

01/21/2026

Check out our 2nd-year graduate students, Mary and Tyler, as they get some hands-on time with the C-Arm while learning the ins & outs of videofluoroscopy swallow assessments. Future MedSLP rockstars in the making! 💪🦴🎥Thank you to Mercy Hospital clinical supervisor and CSDI alumni, Molly Barens, for this learning opportunity!

01/16/2026

01/15/2026

Celebrating her client’s therapy milestones were not the only BIG reasons to celebrate in 2025. Speech Therapist Kendall Sailer Bennett graduated🎓with her Master of Science in Communication Disorders, started her dream job at Children’s Therapy TEAM☀️, celebrated her bridal shower with fellow TEAM members, and got married! 💕 What a year!

Kendall’s TEAM families love her client centered, play based approach rooted in compassion. She strives to create a positive, encouraging, fun, and safe environment for every child to grow in!

Kendall credits her faith 🕊️with inspiring her to serve each child with patience, respect, and a genuine desire to help them thrive in their communication journey.



https://www.childrenstherapyteam.com/index.php/teams/kendall-bennett/

01/14/2026

🎉 Registration is now open! 🎉

REGISTER HERE: https://app.registrationguru.net:443 #!/portal?eventId=7661a288-dec6-4768-8c0d-8b1801748167

Join us for the Shadden Symposium: Executive Function & Dysfunction, a spring 2026 professional development event for communication sciences & disorders professionals.

📅 March 18, 2026 | 📍 Fayetteville, AR
🕘 9:00–2:00 (4 CEUs) | 💲 $75 (lunch included)
🎤 Featuring Dr. Kimberly Highfill & Tamara Henschell
👉 Don’t miss this deep dive into executive function across the lifespan—register now!

01/13/2026

✨ Faculty Research Highlight ✨

We’re excited to highlight research by Dr. Christine Holyfield:
“Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation,” published in Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

This article examines the future direction of AAC technologies and highlights the importance of inclusive, user-centered innovation that reflects the priorities and lived experiences of AAC users. 💬🔮

Work like this helps shape a future where communication technologies are accessible, equitable, and designed with—not just for—the people who use them. 💙

ResearchHighlight Accessibility

01/12/2026

Let’s kick off the new semester with a splash of creativity and a little community fun 🎨

This coming week, the Speech and Hearing Clinic is celebrating the beloved book The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, a story all about giving crayons a voice and letting creativity shine. To go along with the theme, we’re inviting everyone to join in a hands‑on activity that’s perfect for all ages.

You can read the online book here! https://anyflip.com/rsmkk/ozze/basic

Crayola has a free custom coloring page creator that turns any photo into a black‑and‑white coloring sheet. It’s a playful way to bring your own “crayons” to life, just like in the book!

Here’s how to join in:
1) Visit Crayola’s Custom Coloring Page tool: https://www.crayola.com/create/custom-coloring-page
2) Upload a favorite photo
Download and print your personalized coloring page
3) Grab your crayons, markers, or colored pencils and let them tell their story.

Whether you color solo or gather friends for a mini art session, it’s a fun, creative way to connect with the book of the week and get ready for the semester ahead.

01/12/2026

📣 Sharing an opportunity for our SLP community 📣

Wright Therapy Services is hiring an adult-focused SLP for their mobile outpatient clinic in Washington & Benton County.

01/06/2026

✨ Calling Our Local SLPs and Alumni! ✨

This spring, we hope to host two guest speaker panels at the University of Arkansas. Want to join us? We’ve scheduled…

1. One panel of early-career SLPs to share insights and practical success tips with the soon-to-be graduating class of 2026. Current CFs or any SLP who graduated during/after 2022 are invited!

2. One panel of medical SLPs to share insights into the current practice landscape for students interested in medically focused caseloads. Any CF or SLP with PRN, part-time, or full-time experience in a medical setting since 2022 is invited!

Guest speakers will be invited to join our cohort virtually and/or in-person for a warm and informal conversation in mid-April.

Guests will have the opportunity to:
✨ Support the next generation of SLPs
✨ Highlight the realities of real-world practice
✨ Connect with a motivated, engaged group of graduate students

Interested? We would love for you to join us!

Please complete this interest survey by Friday, January 23rd .

https://uark.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_26oHUeCzh0FrVOu