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Communication Disorders Strategic Plan


CSD Strategic Plan, 2019-2023

Mission of the OLLU Harry Jersig Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic/CSD Program

  • to prepare graduate students for successful careers in speech-language pathology
  • to prepare undergraduate students with a knowledge of communication sciences and disorders in preparation for graduate school or for related careers in allied health and education fields
  • to provide evidence-based services to individuals with communication and swallowing disorders
  • to engage in scholarly activity in the field of communication sciences and disorders. 

This CSD mission statement is developed from the OLLU mission statement that is a community that serves students by:

  • Ensuring quality, innovative undergraduate and graduate learning experiences; Fostering spiritual, personal, and professional growth; and Preparing students for success and continued service.  

We aim to provide a quality program that supports, in numerous ways, learning experiences to create successful speech-language pathologists who will be dedicated to serve clients with communication and swallowing needs using the most current scientific evidence. The program will contribute to knowledge in the field through scholarship and research opportunities with students. 
 
The CSD Strategic Plan is based on the goals of OLLU strategic plan: To Grow, To Graduate and To Lead. 
 

CSD Program Goal 1: Increase local, state, national, and international awareness of our undergraduate and graduate programs  

Obj. 1: Promote programs by expanding the number of awareness opportunities through professional fairs, exhibits.
Measurement: six opportunities a year will be created to display and/or distribute information about the programs including to local community colleges.  
 
Obj. 2: Increase opportunities for potential students to visit the program.
Measurement: Three graduate Open Houses and 2 undergraduate events specific to the programs will be offered each year.  
 
Obj. 3: Improve accessibility to current information about the program.
Measurement:  Website information will be updated 2X a year, and social media will be used to disseminate information.  
 
Obj.4: Increase local, state, national, and international inquiries from states outside of Texas.
Measurement: Number of out-of-state student applicants will increase 5% per year to 35% by 2022.  
 

CSD Program Goal 2: Increase community awareness of services provided by the Harry Jersig Center


Obj. 1: Expand distribution of information to medical and non-medical persons in the community.
Measurement: A contact list will be created to provide information about speech, hearing or voice screenings, and information distributed once a year.  

Obj. 2: Increase the number of individuals taking advantage of free/low cost screening services.
Measurement: Three off-site screenings and three on-site screenings (including voice and hearing) will be provided each year and the number of persons who annually take advantage of clinical services such as hearing and voice screening will increase to more than 60.  
 
Obj. 3: Market new programs/activities such as summer camps to the larger community through increased distribution of program brochures/flyers and the use of social media and video.
Measurement: By 2022 the School will create an online newsletter, manage existing Facebook page and redesign,  mail over 100 brochures regarding Harry Jersig Center services, and redesign multiple brochures which can be mailed to selected populations. Client services and referrals will grow by 20% over three years.  
 
Obj. 4: Expand function and size of the HJC Advisory Board.
Measurement: The Board will maintain a Chair with a minimum of 10 Board members and will expand fundraising functions. 
 

CSD Program Goal 3: Continue to enhance and promote academic and clinical excellence  


Obj. 1: The Program will continue to meet current accreditation standards set by the CAA.
Measurement: The annual accreditation report will be approved each year. 
 
Obj. 2: The program will continue to provide quality academic and clinical programs through strength of instruction and changes in coursework as indicated by current research and employer needs.
Measurement: Positive course and overall program evaluation surveys by students, alumni, and off-campus supervisors. One faculty retreat will be held each semester to discuss revisions and improvement of program (with documented minutes).  
 
Obj. 3: Students’ will develop knowledge and skills in all areas indicated on certification standards.
Measurement: 90% of graduating students will pass the Praxis on the first attempt. 
 
Obj. 4: Students will have clinical opportunities through collaboration of all faculty in childhood language and literacy programs and specialized summer programs with pediatric and adult populations.
Measurement: 50% of graduate students will participate in at least one of these experiences during their graduate program. 


CSD Program Goal 4: To ensure that we offer multiple programs and admit the best students into these programs  


Obj. 1: Continue to recruit freshman and community college transfer students into UG program.
Measurement: The number of students entering UG program annually will maintain at a minimum of 25 new students each year. 
 
Obj. 2: Continue to offer opportunities for post-baccalaureate students to enter leveling program as a prerequisite to application to the graduate program.
Measurement: 75% of post-baccalaureate students will complete the leveling program and 50% will be admitted to a graduate program.  
 
Obj. 3: Meet program goal of 24 new students entering graduate program each year.
Measurement: 24 students will enter graduate program each year and 80% will graduate at the expected time.  
 

CSD Program Goal 5: Improve treatment outcomes for clients  
 

Obj. 1: Clients will show improvement in communication and/or swallowing skills.
Measurement: 85% of clients served will demonstrate improved communication skills toward achievement of goals as stated in progress summaries. These results will be based on annual analyses by clinical faculty of the end of semester progress reports prepared by student clinicians. 
 
Obj. 2: Clients and families will be satisfied with services received at the HJC including scheduling and setting.  
Measurement:  85% of clients and families will indicate satisfaction with services received based on the customer satisfaction surveys. 
 

CSD Program Goal 6: Modify academic programs to meet professional, local and regional needs
 

Obj. 1: Program content will reflect needs of local employers.
Measurement: 85% of graduate students will obtain speech-language pathologist positions within six months of graduating.  
 
Obj. 2: Continue to offer additional course content in new areas.
Measurement: One new selected topic course will be added to the curriculum every two years based on the responses from student exit interviews and site supervisors who request additional training for students in certain areas and from faculty proposals.  
 

CSD Program Goal 7: Improve instrumentation and equipment for teaching, clinical services and research  


Obj. 1: Maintain and update equipment as needed in the Harry Jersig Center.
Measurement: The primary conference room in HJC will be updated by 2021 to include new projector screens and adequate audio. Audiovisual equipment for supervision will continue to be fully functional.  
 
Obj. 2: Maintain fully equipped at least three clinic and research labs. 
Measurement: Additional grants will be obtained in the next two years to fund research and clinical equipment.  
 

CSD Program Goal 8: Improve student financial support  
 

Obj. 1: Continue to pursue grants, donations and scholarships to support students.
Measurement: One additional scholarship will be added every three years to those currently offered.  
 
Obj. 2: Maintain several graduate assistantships per year.
Measurement: The number of graduate assistantships offered each year will be maintained at a minimum of seven. 

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