Faculty
Dr. Chris Sanford, Ph.D., CCC-A
Associate Professor Audiology
CSD Department Chair
Office: SPA Building 68, Room 204
(208) 282-4196
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2006-2009, Boys Town National Research Hospital
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Audiology, 2006, University of Washington
- Master of Science (M.S.), Audiology, 1999, Brigham Young University
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Audiology and Psychology, 1997, Brigham Young University
Professional Interests: Pediatric hearing screening and assessment including middle-ear diagnostic techniques (e.g., wideband reflectance) and otoacoustic emissions, translational research with goals of improving diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairment in pediatric populations
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Spending time with family, gardening, mountain biking and cooking
Kristina Blaiser, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Associate Professor
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 594
208-373-1814
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Speech-Language Hearing Sciences, 2010, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication Disorders and Speech Sciences, 1998, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 1996, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Professional Areas of Interests: Program evaluation and assessment of children who are deaf/hard-of-hearing, family coaching, telehealth models of service delivery
Personal Interests/Hobbies: time with family and friends, outdoor activities, music & reading
Kris L. Brock, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor (AAC)
Office: Office: Meridian Health Sciences Center, Room 808D
208-373-1918
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2015, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Language Pathology, 2008, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Speech Language Pathology, 2007, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Professional areas of Interests: The effectiveness and efficiency of augmentative and alternative communication systems, intervention, and associated variables related to technology, animation, and working memory. Populations studied include stroke survivors with nonfluent aphasia and children with developmental disabilities.
Personal Interests: International Therapy (Belize), skiing, surfing, theme parking (“No, no I don’t want to build a snowman.”), traveling (Germany here I come!), IPA is more than just phonetics, and Tough Mudder®
Alycia Cummings, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 587
208-373-1772
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Language and Communicative Disorders, 2009, University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, 2000, Stanford University
Professional Areas of Interests: Developmental speech sound disorders, EEG/ERP
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Walking my dogs, gardening, watching movies, listening to audio books
Beth Guzi, M.S., CCC-SLP, LPC
Clinical Professor
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 545
(208) 373-1721
Education
- Master of Counseling (M.C.), Mental Health Counseling, 2010, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
- Master of Science (M.S.), Speech Language Pathology, 1985, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Audiology and Speech Science, 1983, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Professional Areas of Interests: Adult neurological rehabilitation, group therapy, counseling, and student learning
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Reading, mindfulness, hiking, and fishing
Karrie Cummings Hansen, M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 553
(208) 373-1736
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Language Pathology, 2005, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Teaching, 2000, Boise State University, Boise, ID
Professional Areas of Interests: Head and neck cancer, pediatric and adult dysphagia, cognitive rehabilitation, aphasia and video fluroscopic swallow studies, clinical teaching
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Gardening, trail running, mountain biking and hiking.
Amy Hardy, M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Associate Professor
Online Coordinator
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 548
(208) 373-1724
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Disorders, 2001, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication Disorders, 1996, Arizona State University, AZ
Professional Areas of Interests: pediatric dysphagia, Infant-Toddler Intervention, pediatric and adult speech and language, telehealth, advances in clinical supervision, online programs
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Gardening, hiking, and paddle boarding
Daniel Hudock, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Associate Professor
Program Director
Founder/Director of the Northwest Center for Fluency Disorders (NWCFD)
Office: Pocatello, SPA Building 68, Room 322
(208) 282-4403
http://www.northwestfluency.org
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2012, East Carolina University
- Masters of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2008, East Carolina University
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2006, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Professional Areas of Interests: Stuttering and other fluency-based disorders, counseling and interprofessional collaborations between mental-health professionals and Speech Language Pathologists, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the neuroscience of speech perception and production as measured via EEG.
Research Interest Include: Training and outcomes related to interprofessional collaborations between mental-health professionals and Speech Language Pathologists, holistic stuttering therapy targeting emotional, psychological, and social impacts from communication disorders, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), sender / receiver dynamics during communication exchanges via biopsychophysiological measures (electro-dermal skin conductance response, heart-rate variability, and eye-tracking), and EEG analysis of speech perception and production in fluent speakers and speakers who stutter.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Anything outdoors (camping, backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, spending time at the beach, etc.), traveling, sports (racquetball, tennis, golf, disc golf, softball.), the Pittsburgh Steelers, the arts (plays, musicals, galleries, exhibitions, museums, concerts), spending time with family, dining, cooking, technology, listening to podcasts, watching TED videos, reading, anything to do with science and pretty much anything else.
Kathleen Kangas, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Tenured Professor
Dean College of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences
Office: Pocatello, Nursing Building #66, Room 204
208-282-4130
Education
- Ph.D., Purdue University
- M.S.P.A., University of Washington
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
Professional Areas of Interests: Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Child Language
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Skiing, Hiking, Gardening
Joni G. Loftin, M.S.P., CCC-SLP, COM
Clinical Professor
Associate Chair, Co-Director SLP Program
Certified Orofacial Myologist
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 538
(208) 373-1728
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology, 1986, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology, 1984, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
Professional Areas of Interests: Assessment and Treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders, Infant-Toddler-Preschool Language Intervention, Family-Centered Service Delivery.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Biking, Hiking, Cooking, X-C skiing, snowshoeing, camping, and travel
Connie Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP
Office: Pocatello, SPA Building 68, Room 330C
(208) 282-5341
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.), Speech Language Pathology, 1992, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Speech Pathology and Audiology, 1990,Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
- Associates Degree (Assoc.), Communication Disorders, 1988, Rick's College, Rexburg, Idaho
Professional Areas of Interests: Child speech sound disorders, social thinking skills, classroom based social training, treatment efficacy, multidisciplinary teams, community/family education and awareness, and student supervision
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Reading, making chocolates, writing, photography, hiking, camping, genealogy
Karissa Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: SPA Building 68, Room 330A
(208) 282-3316
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Language Pathology, 2007, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Speech Pathology and Audiology, 2005, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
Professional Areas of Interests: Adult neurological rehabilitation, Acquired brain injury, executive function, interdisciplinary rehabilitation, community/family education and awareness, student supervision, Infant-Toddler Speech and language.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Athletics, hiking, backpacking, camping, a great book, cooking and puzzles.
Wendy Morgan, M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Associate Professor
Clinical Coordinator, Pocatello Campus
Office: SPA Building 68, Room 222
(208) 282-2219
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Language Pathology, 1995, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Speech Pathology and Audiology, 1993, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
Professional Areas of Interests: Adult neurological rehabilitation, Acquired brain injury, dysphagia, interdisciplinary rehabilitation, community education and awareness.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Running, mountain biking, hiking, XC and downhill skiing, camping, and watching soccer
Diane Ogiela, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Associate Professor
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 589
(208) 373-1853
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Developmental Neurolinguistics Lab, 2009, University of Texas at Dallas, Callier Center for Communication Disorders, Dallas, TX
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Audiology and Speech Sciences, 2007, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Audiology and Speech Sciences, 1995, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Linguistic Studies, 1993, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, 1991, Illinois Benedictine College, Lisle, IL
Professional Areas of Interests: Language science, language development and processing in children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI), morphology and syntax, school-age language disorders, approaches to assessment in child language, and language sample analysis training.
Research: Using event-related potentials/electrophysiological measures to examine language processing in children with specific language impairment; Evaluation of morphology and complex syntax comprehension and production in children with SLI; Language sample analysis training outcomes in undergraduate and graduate SLP students.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, biking, camping, gardening, cooking, reading, watching science fiction and super-hero movies
Robin Pierce Ament, M.A., CCC-SLP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Online Clinic Coordinator
Office: SPA Building 68, Room 210B
(208) 282-3809
Education
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication Disorders and Speech Sciences, 1993, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 1985, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Professional Areas of Interests: Service in the public schools, early literacy, and bilingualism
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Hiking/trail running, music, time with family
Heather Ramsdell-Hudock, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Associate Professor
Office: SPA Building 68, Room 330B
(208) 282-3077
Labs: Nursing Building 66, Rooms 332, 334 & SPA Building 68, Rooms 212, 213
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Speech-Language Pathology, 2009, The University of Memphis
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology, 2003, Boston University
- Bachelors of Art (B.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 2001, Iona College
Professional Areas of Interests: Infant Vocal Development, caregiver-infant reciprocity, phonetics, phonology, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students through the scientific process
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Spending time with my family and friends, mountain biking, cooking, going out to eat, traveling, swimming, watching football (GO GIANTS!), skiing, and exploring new places.
Victoria (Tori) Scharp, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
Office: SPA Building 68, Room 314B
(208) 282-4576
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2016, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology, 2002, Miami University, Oxford, OH
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 2000, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Academic interests: Cognitive and psycholinguistic bases of neurological communicative disorders, semantic and discourse comprehension, nature and treatment of right hemisphere communication processes and disorders, and acquired neurogenic language disorders in adults
Hobbies: hiking, playing tennis, reading, snowshoeing, and traveling
Shauna L.H. Smith, M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Associate Professor
Clinic Director
Office: Meridian Health Sciences Center, Room 549
(208) 373-1720
Education
- Certification in Orofacial Myology, 2012, International Association of Orofacial Myology
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Language Pathology, 2005, Idaho State University
- Bachelor of Science (B.S,) in Speech Pathology & Audiology, 2003, Idaho State University
Professional Areas of Interests: Adult neurological rehabilitation, TBI, dysphagia, voice, clinical supervision
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and playing with my dogs
Mary Van Donsel, M.S.R., CCC-SLP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian Health Science Center, Room 547
(208) 373-1727
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Rehabilitation Science, Speech-Language Pathology, 2001, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, 1997, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg, VA
Professional Areas of Interests: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, speech sound disorders (articulation, phonology, childhood apraxia of speech), family education to improve therapy carryover within the home, interprofessional approaches to therapy for children with involvement in multiple areas, clinical supervision.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Music, sewing/cross-stitch/crochet, outdoor activities, doing fun things with my family, exploring new places.
Dave Woods, M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: SPA Building 68, Room 314A
(208) 282-3349
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech & Hearing Science, 1998, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Linguistics, 1996, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Professional Areas of Interests: Bilingual evaluation and treatment in Speech-Language Pathology, fluency disorders, child speech-language development and disorders, interpreting/translating.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: After God and family, other interests include backpacking, fishing, running, and gardening. For entertainment, I enjoy the arts, listening to The Beatles, watching college sports and the stock market.
