Jennifer Essig, Ed.D, CCC-SLP/L is the program director and a clinical associate professor in the graduate program in speech-language pathology. She received her graduate degree in Higher Education Leadership from Rockhurst University with a certificate in Justice, Belonging, and Community Change. Additionally, she has an MS degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a BS in Communications Sciences and Disorders from Ithaca College. She has taken the graduate program from inception to full accreditation over the last several years and grounds the program in a pedagogy of kindness and growth mindset. She teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs with an emphasis on coursework related to medical speech-language pathology. Prior to assuming the role of program director, she served as the Assistant Clinic Director at Saint Mary’s College, placing students in the community for fieldwork experiences and teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.
In professional practice, Dr. Essig has worked primarily in adult neurogenic disorders working with individuals in a variety of settings. She has a particular interest in stroke rehabilitation and head and neck cancer and continues to work in clinical practice locally. She also contributes to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in alternative grading and interprofessional collaboration and education. Dr. Essig regularly gives academic presentations nationally focusing on alternative grading and equity within the field of higher education. Dr. Essig is a FACET member, a peer reviewer, and serves on a myriad of campus committees. In the community, she is actively engaged in social justice work and is committed to serving others.