DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMDIS) is one of eight departments in the College of Education and Professional Studies (COEPS). The department delivers two related programs but with very different missions. First, the department provides the academic and clinical preparation for undergraduate students in normal communication processes and introductory skill development in communication disorders. Second, the department provides a comprehensive academic and clinical education program for graduate students including on-campus and off-site clinical experiences that culminate in the requisite Master's degree for practice as a state licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. We also offer an online postbaccalaureate certificate, designed specifically for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any discipline other than communication sciences and disorders. In addition, as part of the UW-Whitewater Partners in Education (PIE) program, the Communication Sciences and Disorders department offers an online asynchronous 3 credit introductory course for high school students.
Roseman Building, 1011
262-472-1301 | comdis@uww.edu | 
Our students engage in a variety of applied experiences including travel, internships, field work, independent studies, and research to support development of clinically relevant knowledge and skills.
Department Tours
During the academic year, on select days, we will be available to give departmental tours and provide information on the undergraduate, post bac, and graduate programs. Students will be able to speak with the faculty, staff, and students to discuss what the program is all about and answer any questions. We look forward to seeing you!
Department Tour Drop-In
| Date | Time | RSVP |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday April 16, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | RSVP |
| Wednesday April 23, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | RSVP |
Virtual Information Sessions
| Date | Time | Meeting Link |
|---|---|---|
| Fall TBD | TBD | TBD |
Please visit the Map & Directions page for directions to the university. These directions will take you to the visitor parking lot by the Student Center, which requires a parking permit. View Visitors & Guest Parking for more information on parking permits. The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders is located at 1011 Roseman building.
For further assistance:
- Undergraduate students/applicants: call our department office at 262-472-1301.
- Graduate students/applicants: contact Lynn Gilbertson at 262-472-5203. You can also send Lynn Gilbertson an email via gilbertl@uww.edu.
Department meetings are held on the third Friday of the month from 9:00-10:00 am central standard time. Please send an email to comdis@uww.edu to request meeting access information. Department meeting agendas and minutes are also availalble to view.
A copy of the Standards for Accreditation and/or the CAA's Policy on Public Comment may be obtained by contacting the Accreditation Office at ASHA, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, calling ASHA's Action Center at 1-800-498-2071, or accessing the documents online at the Council on Academic Accredidation.
Undergraduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders
The mission of our undergraduate program is two-fold. Our program is committed to providing students with foundation knowledge in communication sciences and disorders required for graduate study in speech-language pathology and audiology. Our broader mission is to prepare baccalaureate graduates:
- To acquire the knowledge and skills to pursue a variety of post-baccalaureate options;
- To communicate effectively as speakers and writers;
- To become life-long learners who can engage in inquiry, analysis, critical and creative thinking and collaborative team work; and
- To embrace with understanding individuals from diverse and multilingual heritage.
Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders
The overall vision of the Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMDIS) graduate program is to be recognized regionally and nationally for its exceptional clinical education program and its dedicated network of faculty, clinical instructors and alumni. The mission of the graduate program in COMDIS is to prepare speech-language pathologists to practice across the lifespan and all settings particularly in the southeastern region of Wisconsin. Specific objectives include:
- To prepare highly qualified professionals in speech-language pathology who exceed the guidelines of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for clinical and academic preparation;
- To prepare speech-language pathology professionals to assess, diagnose and treat clients of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds; and
- To act as a resource for the University and community by serving as consultants, facilitators and authorities in the various areas of communication disorders.
For questions relating to the UW-Whitewater Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders please contact the main office at 262-472-1301 or comdis@uww.edu or our Graduate Program Coordinator Dr. Lynn Gilbertson at 262-472-5203 or gilbertl@uww.edu.
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech language pathology {residential} at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Please review our Strategic Plan for more information about our department.
Our Advisory Board
Roles and Responsibilies of the UW-Whitewater Communication Sciences and Disorders Advisory Board.
Members:
Lauren Hatchett M.S., CCC-SLP
Lauren Hatchett is an accomplished medical speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience. With a deep commitment to patient care, Lauren specializes in diagnosing and treating speech, language, voice and swallow disorders. Her extensive expertise encompasses working with diverse populations, including individuals recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, head and neck cancer and other complex medical conditions that affect communication and swallowing. In addition to her clinical work, Lauren loves mentoring students and clinical fellows, fostering the next generation of professionals in her field. Outside of practice, she enjoys reading, camping and spending quality time with her family.
Emilie Dahm M.S., CCC-SLP
Emilie currently serves as the Director of Student Services for the School District of Sheboygan Falls in Sheboygan County, WI. She has served as an SLP in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, skilled nursing facilities, and public schools. Emilie is passionate about advocating for the profession, particularly within the public school setting.
Morgan Saitta (She/Her), M.S., CCC-SLP
Morgan Saitta is an acute care Speech-Language Pathologist at UW Hospital in Madison, WI. She is a member of the adult cognition/communication team, which specializes in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, cognition, and communication disorders. She has a special passion for working with patients with aphasia, particularly advocating for the use of appropriate communication supports to demonstrate their inherent competence. She is currently developing research projects investigating PWA/provider communication in the acute setting, and investigating the inter-rater reliability of fluency judgements in acute aphasia. Prior to this role, Morgan was a generalist SLP in the acute and outpatient settings at Mercyhealth in Janesville, WI.
Ace Klimisch (He/Him), M.S., CCC-SLP
Ace Klimisch completed both his B.S. and M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from UW-Whitewater. He joins this board with experience in pediatric private practice; birth-3; as well as experience in the middle and high school settings. His passion within the field of communication sciences and disorders most strongly stems from the relationship between mental health and language development; he enjoys forming deep, personal rapport with his clientele, as they motivate him to continue strengthening his clinical approach.
Bethany Christon, MS, CCC-SLP
Bethany is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has worked in the public school setting for the last 18 years. She graduated with her B.S. and M.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders from UW-Whitewater. Bethany has worked specifically with the Early Childhood/Early Elementary population for the past 10 years and has found her passion and enthusiasm in serving emerging communicators with complex communication and language needs. Bethany enjoys learning about both philosophy and evidenced-based practice related to AAC. In the school setting, Bethany views her role as being not only a direct service provider and case manager, but also as part of collaborative teams that helps her student's circle of communication support, which better enables her students to learn and use language.
Past Advisory Board Members:
Hannah Alfredson-Cox, M.S., CCC-SLP
Haily (Korth) Hughes M.S., CCC-SLP
Katie Blue M.S., CCC-SLP
Mahwish Hashmi M.S., CCC-SLP
Simone Frame M.A., CCC-SLP
Abby Krueger M.S., CCC-SLP
Dana Syring M.S., CCC-SLP
Melissa J. Taylor, M.S., CCC-SLP
Sarah Samuelson, M.S., CCC-SLP
Sally A Conway, M.S., CCC-SLP, NHA