UNI Speech Language Pathology & Audiology Alumni

04/03/2026

Did you meet your significant other at UNI?

03/31/2026

Alumni: Did you participate in research with a faculty advisor, travel to present at a conference, receive a scholarship or graduate assistantship, or have access to specialized equipment in the AAC, voice, or feeding lab? If so, you may have benefited from previous foundation donors. Please consider passing it forward to support the next generation of students in our program. As part of the alumni who give $150 or more will receive a commemorative UNI 150 puzzle.

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/75154/donations/new?designation=communicationsciencesdisordersfundforexcellence&a=12064862&amt=150.00

03/27/2026

Most cohorts take a picture under the Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic sign in the lobby their last semester on campus prior to internships. Enjoy these pictures. If your class took a picture and it is not posted here, add it in the comments with the year and we'll update this post!

03/27/2026

We are excited to hear from alumni
Jessica Mwanza at UNI ICCD this year. Jessica has worked with various organizations, in private and non-profit sector in Lusaka, Zambia over the past 8 years, where she provided speech-language therapy services and professional development courses.

Register for ICCD here: ICCD2026.eventbrite.com

Meet our speakers!

Jessica L. Mwanza is an experienced speech-language pathologist with a strong background in treating students with complex communication needs and designing non-profit programs. She holds a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa (2017) and has specialized training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Pragmatically Organized Dynamic Display (PODD) practitioner, and diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADOS-II). Jessica has worked with various organizations, in private and non-profit sector in Lusaka, Zambia over the past 8 years, where she provided speech-language therapy services, professional development courses, and NGO program development. Notably, she designed and implemented two AAC programs for children with complex communication disorders in low-income settings in Zambia and helped develop a dysphagia protocol for University Teaching Hospital in collaboration with John Hopkins Global Neurology. Her passion lies in increasing access to evidence-based practice services for at-risk populations in low-middle income countries globally.

Register for ICCD here: ICCD2026.eventbrite.com

03/27/2026

Today is Epilepsy Awareness Day. To learn more and access a free seizure first aid course, visit:
https://learn.epilepsy.com/courses/seizure-first-aid-cert-ondemand-v1-1

03/21/2026

Alumni: Consider following your local state association, ASHA, and Fix SLP to learn about proposed updates of CPT codes.

AMA's written public comment is open until March 31 with the hybrid meeting happening April 30-May 2.

Updates from ASHA, along with direct links to AMA documents and registration page, can be found at: https://www.asha.org/news/2026/update-on-cpt-code-92507-valuation-review-underway

ATTENTION IOWA SLPs:
Potential changes to CPT 92507 are under consideration through the American Medical Associatoion (AMA )CPT Procress. These types of coding decisions can influence clinical workflow, documentation, and reimbursement across all practice settings.

There are opportunities for clinicians to submit written comments between March 6-31st and provide oral feedback at the meetings April 30-May 2nd during this process.

We encourage Iowa clinicians to review the issue and consider participating. Please dm or email us for detailed instructions on how to participate in the comment period.

03/21/2026

Are you registered for UNI ICCD yet? The conference is less than 1 month away!
We are excited to welcome Alumni Dr. Veena Kallambettu (2013) who will be presenting on "Clinical Best Practices in Head and Neck Cancer: Oncology, Dysphagia & Communication Care" this year.
To view the full schedule and register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-iowa-conference-on-communicative-disorders-iccd-tickets-1981796445517

Meet our speakers!

Veena Kallambettu is a speech-language pathologist and post-doctoral scholar whose career has been shaped by a deep commitment to improving voice and swallowing outcomes for individuals with head and neck cancer. She began her clinical training with a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2013, followed by a clinical fellowship at the University of Iowa, experiences that grounded her in patient-centered, medically complex care. Her early clinical work led her to join the ENT voice and swallowing team at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where over a decade of practice in acute and outpatient settings sharpened her interest in the science underlying clinical decision-making.
Motivated by questions arising directly from patient care, Dr. Kallambettu pursued advanced training in clinical research, earning her PhD in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University in 2024. Her research focuses on improving diagnostic accuracy and intervention efficacy in swallowing disorders, with the goal of translating evidence into meaningful, real-world clinical impact. Her work at the intersection of research and practice has been recognized through multiple honors, including the Elwood Chaney Award for Clinical Excellence from the Ohio Speech-Language Hearing Association, the Louis DiCarlo Award from the ASH Foundation, the Dysphagia Research Society Career Development Award, and the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders’ Clinical Excellence in Research award. Together, her clinical and research experiences reflect a career dedicated to advancing thoughtful, evidence-based care in dysphagia and voice rehabilitation.

Register for ICCD here: ICCD2026.eventbrite.com

03/14/2026

03/14/2026

⭐️ Speech-Language Pathologist ⭐️

This vacancy is for the northern area of Keystone AEA for next school year. Apply in 5 minutes at www.keystoneaea.org/employment

At Keystone, speech-language pathologists partner with educators, families, and communities to support communication development and provide impactful services that help students access learning and achieve success in school environments.

Speech-Language Pathologists provide evaluation, consultation, and direct speech-language services to students who demonstrate communication challenges. This role emphasizes collaboration with school teams and families, implementation of evidence-based practices, and individualized service delivery aligned with student needs.

SLPs work across multiple districts and settings, supporting students through assessment, intervention planning, and ongoing progress monitoring while maintaining strong communication with school personnel and families.

Why Choose Keystone AEA?
- Supportive professional environment focused on student-centered services.
- Opportunities for professional growth and ongoing learning.
- Collaborative partnerships with educators, families, and communities.
- Meaningful work serving students across Northeast Iowa.