Greetings from Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences! 

The changing seasons can bring a wave of nostalgia—as the bright summer colors turn to the autumnal bronzes, the business of a new school year settles, and football games light up our screens. We hope these moments remind you of your cherished days in Iowa City.  

In 2025, we will move into the new state-of-the-art Health Sciences Academic Building. Until then, we will host multiple activities to commemorate the people who have learned, mentored, and researched in the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center. This coming year will be particularly memorable as 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). How fitting to have such an anniversary marked with a new building in the city where ASHA was born! 

Thank you for being an invaluable part of our CSD family and for sharing in our legacy of excellence. Enjoy reading these key highlights, important dates, and exciting updates.  

Eric Hunter 
Chair, Communication Sciences and Disorders 
Harriet B. and Harold S. Brady Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Drawing of Health Sciences Academic Building

New Health Sciences Academic Building on schedule

The new state-of the-art building will be home to CSD, and we will move in 2025 after substantial completion of the six-level building. The facility will be a hub for innovative teaching and learning, community outreach, experiential learning, research, and more. 

Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center

Save the date!

Wendell Johnson commemorative event

Join us in Iowa City on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, as we celebrate and honor the lasting impact of the Wendell Johnson Speech & Hearing Center. Schedule and event details to come. Share your favorite memories or photos of your time in the building.

CSD news

audiology research in Dr Ishan Bhatt lab

Two CSD programs ranked best in the nation

Iowa’s audiology program was ranked second best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and the speech-language pathology program climbed in the rankings to fifth. 

Portrait of Krista Davidson

Krista Davidson develops app to bridge communication gap during emergencies

Davidson, a clinical professor, recently developed the app RescueVoice, which assists first responders during an emergency when communicating with nonspeaking people.

Portrait of Paul J. Abbas

Remembering professor emeritus Paul J. Abbas

Abbas had a long, esteemed career as an auditory physiologist and cochlear implant expert at Iowa. He was a highly valued faculty member and mentor to students and alumni in the department.

Portrait of Beth Walker

Beth Walker receives $1.2 million grant to increase training of students serving diverse communities

Walker, an associate professor, and her colleagues will train graduate students in audiology and speech-language pathology on working with and treating children with disabilities who come from multicultural backgrounds.

Portrait of Charlotte Hilker

Speech-language pathology graduate makes advocacy global

Charlotte Hilker (23MA) received a Fulbright grant to improve speech therapy services in Kosovo. Hilker said the skills she learned while pursuing her master’s degree were crucial during her Fulbright year.

Brandon Alpers

Speech and hearing science undergrad leads Hawkeye Marching Band

Meet Brandon Alpers, drum major for Iowa’s beloved marching band and future pediatric audiologist. Alpers is also involved in Dance Marathon and various research projects with CSD faculty.

Keep in touch

CLAS participants in the Homecoming parade

Save the date for Homecoming

Homecoming will take place Oct. 20-26, with the parade on Friday evening and Iowa vs. Northwestern football on Saturday. Check out some of the ways you can get involved if you’re returning to Iowa City, along with some fun homecoming themed apparel. 

Exterior of Schaeffer Hall

Stay connected

No matter where you are, you're always a Hawkeye. Learn how you can stay connected to CSD and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Read the stories of fellow alumni and find out how you can volunteer and hire students. Please also update your contact information so we have your most recent mail and email address so we can stay in touch!