Contact Information

Riverbank with campus in background

Email: csd@stcloudstate.edu
In person: 103 Brown Hall
Phone: (320) 308-2092
Fax: (320) 308-6441

Mailing address:
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
103 Brown Hall
St. Cloud State University
151 8th Street South
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498

Faculty & Staff

Joy McKenzie

Joy McKenzie

  • Department Chair
  • Associate Professor
  • CCC-SLP, Licensure: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP)
  • Ed.D. Higher Education Administration, 2020, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
  • M.S. Speech Language Pathology, 2004, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota

(320) 308-4172


Interests: Pediatric Speech Sound Disorders (Apraxia, Articulation, Phonological, Dysarthria); Adult and Pediatric Swallowing/Feeding Disorders; Auditory Processing Disorders; Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Anomalies; Voice (Parkinson's Disease); Student Development, and Interprofessional Practice; Trained in PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets); Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding.
Jill Klecker Kivel

Jill Klecker Kivel

  • Office Manager
  • M.A. Organizational Leadership, 2009, Bethel University
  • B.A. Mass Communications, 1996, Advertising, Winona State University

(320) 308-2092 | Brown Hall 103


Interests: Marketing and communications, training, event planning, relationship building, as well as working with our fabulous clients and families.  I also love watching our talented students, learn and grow right before my eyes! 
Rebecca L. Nelson Crowell

Rebecca L. Nelson Crowell

  • Graduate Director
  • Professor
  • CCC-A, Licensure: Minnesota Department of Health (Audiology)
  • Au.D. Doctor of Audiology, 2004, Central Michigan University/Vanderbilt University

(320) 308-4701


Interests: Audiology, Pediatric and Adult Audiological Rehabilitation; Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and Anti-Racism; Interprofessional Practice; Auditory Processing Disorders; and counseling patients with communication disorders and their families.
Prachi Bengeri

Prachi Bengeri

  • Clinic Director
  • Assistant Professor
  • CCC-SLP, Licensures: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP); Minnesota Department of Education (SLP, PreK-12)
  • M.S. Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, 2001, University of Mysuru, Mysuru, India

(320) 308-2096


Interests: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Executive Function in Children; Early Childhood Speech and Language Disorders; Childhood Apraxia of Speech; Literacy; Clinical Education.
Sarah Schaefer

Sarah Schaefer

  • Clinical Educator
  • Assistant Professor
  • CCC-SLP, Licensure: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP)
  • Minnesota Department of Education (SLP, PreK - 12)

(320) 308-2018


Interests: Dual/Multi-lingual Language Learning, American Sign Language and Gestural Communication, Language Development and Disorders, Augmentative Alternative Communication, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Pediatric Speech Sound Disorders (Apraxia, Articulation, Phonological, Dysarthria), Auditory Processing Disorders, Cochlear Implant Speech Therapy, Fluency Disorders, Lidcombe Program Certified,  Clinical Education and Student Development.
Mattie Murrey Tegels

Mattie Murrey Tegels

  • Assistant Professor
  • CCC-SLP, Licensures: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP); Washington Department of Health
  • M.A. Speech Language Pathology, 1992, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington

(320) 308-4145


Interests: MBSImp Certified; LSVT Certified; Dysphagia (Adult and Pediatric); Voice Disorders and Differences; Accent Modification; Aphasia; Cognitive-Linguistic Disorders; SLP Supervision.
Mary Baumann-Spooner

Mary Baumann-Spooner

  • Assistant Professor
  • CCC-SLP, Licensures: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP); Minnesota Department of Education (SLP Prek-12+)
  • M.S. Communication Disorders, 1998, St. Cloud State University 

(320) 308-3973


Interests: Augmentative and Alternative Communication for all ages, trained in PECS, PODD and 4 Blocks of Literacy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Clinical Education.
Janet Tilstra

Janet Tilstra

  • Associate Professor
  • CCC-SLP, Licensures: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP); Minnesota Department of Education (SLP, PreK-12)
  • Ph.D. Educational Psychology, 2007, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • M.A. Speech Language Pathology, 1991, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

(320) 308-3029


Interests: Fluency Disorders; Language and Reading Disorders; Bilingual Language Development, Interprofessional Education and Practice; Culturally Responsive and Antiracist Practices; Wellbeing/Belonging; Applied/Action Research.

Emeriti Faculty

Theresa Estrem

  • Emeritus Professor
  • CCC-SLP, Licensure: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP)
  • Ph.D. Educational Psychology, 2003, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • M.A. Communication Sciences & Disorders, 1984, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota


Interests: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Early Childhood Speech and Language Disorders; Cultural-Linguistic Diversity and Anti-Racism; Interprofessional Education & Practice; Clinical Education.

G.N. Rangamani

  • Emeritus Professor and Fulbright Scholar
  • CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, Licensure: Minnesota Department of Health (SLP)
  • Ph.D. Speech Language Pathology, 1991, University of Mysuru, Mysuru, India


Interests: Board Certified in Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders; Voice and Motor Speech Certifications through LSVT LOUD; SPEAK OUT!®; Bilingual Provider; Cultural-Linguistic Diversity; Interprofessional Practice; Research interests in Aphasia, Cognitive-Communication Disorders, Aging, and Bilingualism.

Margery Whites

  • Emeritus Professor
  • CCC-SLP-Retired
  • Ph.D. Speech-Language Pathology, 1988, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
  • M.A. Speech-Language Pathology, 1981, University of South Dakota, Vermillion SD
  • B.A., English, South Dakota State University, Brookings SD


Interests: Child Language Development and Disorders, Language Assessment and Intervention, School-age Language Abilities, Child Literacy Development, Student Preparation for the Professions (Professional Awareness), Cultural and Linguistic Diversity.

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