Spring 2025 Newsletter
Greetings from the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences,
I am so excited to be writing to you as the new chair of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. After 6 years of tremendous service to the department, which includes getting us through our graduate program re-accreditation and uh, yes, a pandemic, Mx. Munson was due for a well-deserved break! We all owe much gratitude to Ben for his remarkable leadership. I certainly have some very big shoes to fill!
I want to share a little about myself. I have been a faculty member in SLHS since 2009. I run the Child Language Intervention Lab where we work to improve the assessment and intervention approaches of children with language impairment. For the past 7 years I served as the department's director of graduate studies. And...fun fact! I am an alumnus of our master’s in speech-language pathology program—Class of 1999!
I am looking forward to continuing to help lead and shape the department in my new role as department chair. The SLHS chair term is 3 years. During this time, I will keep bringing SLHS goodness to you—and we have so much goodness to share with you, our incredible community!
Check out the newsletter to:
- Meet our new assistant professor, Christopher Apfelbach
- Hear how the Julia M. Davis Center empowers people with Parkinson's through mindful communication training and educates future speech pathologists
- Learn about our impactful Sioris Family University of Minnesota Kids Who Stutter Camp
- And so much more!
Wishing you all the best,
Liza Finestack
Professor and Chair
Joining us from his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, Apfelbach is enthusiastic about digging deeper into research on the physiology of the speech system, teaching three courses, launching a community project for those with neuromuscular disabilities, and mentoring students.
At the Julia M. Davis Center, speech-language pathology students learn cutting-edge Parkinson's voice therapy through the SPEAK OUT! Program.
Read "The Davis Center Empowers the Voice of Parkinson's Clients"
At the Sioris Family University of Minnesota Kids Who Stutter Camp, kids find a safe space to embrace their communication challenges and grow. Discover how this unique program fosters confidence, leadership, and lasting friendships.
Read "'Keep Rowing': The Motto for a Camp That Celebrates Every Voice"
In Case You Missed It
Kerry Witherell is featured in this story from the School of Dentistry for her work with the UMN Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic. “We are lucky enough as providers to be able to be part of each family’s journey year after year,” she says.
Peggy Nelson was interviewed on Minnesota Public Radio about the day-to-day risks of hearing loss for young people.
Matt Winn was interviewed on how hearing can change as people age, what their options are for restoring hearing, and how it can affect overall health.
In this NPR story, Matt Winn talks about the hidden exhaustion of listening, revealing how hearing challenges drain energy in ways we rarely recognize.
