Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Strategic Plan Executive Summary
Mission and Vision
Mission
The Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Department is committed to intentionally prepare students for the rigor of their careers through education and mentorship as they become competent, ethical, and culturally responsive speech, language and hearing professionals who empower the people they serve.
Vision
The CSD Department at SCSU aims to be a pioneering program modeling classroom to clinic integration to develop future professionals who will affect change in their communities and those they serve by practicing as forward-thinking practitioners and leaders in the field of speech, language, and hearing.
In five years, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will:
- Develop sustainable community partnerships
- Improve infrastructure to allow for expansion of clinical opportunities
- Diversify our student body
- Expand interprofessional and international collaborations to explore research and clinical interests of faculty and students
Our Husky Compact
The CSD department’s mission and vision align with the University’s Husky Compact. The Husky Compact represents St. Cloud State’s goal of having each student, who graduates from this institution, live out the following action items.
Think Creatively and Critically
The ability to think creatively and critically is core to overcoming challenges.
Seek and Apply Knowledge
Encouraging independence, informed decision making, open-mindedness and motivation.
Communicate Effectively
Relationship building, conflict resolution, proficiency in teamwork - all require effective communication.
Integrate Existing and Evolving Technologies
Technology is used every-day to improve efficiency, better balance work/life and access information.
Engage as a Member of a Diverse and Multicultural World
We are members of a global society impacted by a global economy.
Act with Personal Integrity and Civic Responsibility
Nurturing ethical and productive difference-makers.
The St. Cloud State University Communication Sciences and Disorders Department is committed to the University’s Husky Compact.
- Within our curriculum, we strive to increase our students’ ability to integrate knowledge from the classroom, to think critically, and to apply their knowledge to their clinical practice.
- We are committed to diversifying our undergraduate and graduate student body by offering various curricular opportunities to our state two-year institutions and increasing our undergraduate on-line course offerings, found to appeal to a wider, and more diverse, audience.
- We will extend our commitment to diversify our clinical practicum and internship opportunities. In the coming years, we will cultivate new partnerships with stakeholders, that include underrepresented groups, by providing clinical services to those communities through face-to-face interactions and tele-practice options so that we reach the most remote, rural, and underserved communities.
- Our faculty are committed to growing our program and mentoring our students, with the appropriate supports in place. These supports include, but are not limited to, appropriate financial, faculty, technology and space allocations.
Department Strategic Objectives
- Engage in continuous, programmatic assessment for quality improvement.
- Advance Interprofessional Education and Interprofessional Practice throughout curriculum and clinical experiences.
- Enhance the knowledge and implementation of clinical research and evidence-based practice.
- Enhance service delivery across the continuum of care to increase value and access to services for underrepresented community members (e.g., race, color, national origin, sex, or religion).
- Increase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within our faculty, students and consumers.
- Enhance international engagement and scholarship.
- Increase faculty and students' cultural competence.
A copy of the strategic plan is available upon request.
Strategic Plan with Timelines
Curriculum
Timeline
- Curricular revision will be made to reflect department strategic objectives. (see above). Review Spring 2024.
- Anti-racism pedagogy will be implemented throughout all aspects of the curriculum. Review Fall 2023.
- Review and develop process for transitioning to the clinical doctorate, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology degree, with a potential start date in three to five years. Review Fall 2023.
Alignment with University Husky Compact
Clinic
Timeline
- Clinical faculty will engage in assessment for quality improvement, consistent teaching pedagogy, and culturally responsive practices, across various practicum experiences for all stakeholders (e.g. faculty, students, clients). Review Fall 2023.
- Clinical faculty will engage in meta-assessment (e.g. SOAP notes, writing rubric, Calipso grading) to ensure consistent expectations with documentation and supervisor evaluations. Review Fall 2024.
- Interprofessional education and interprofessional practice curricular and clinical opportunities will be a core component of the graduate curriculum. Review Fall 2024.
Alignment with University Husky Compact
Faculty
Timeline
- Faculty will advocate for hiring probationary faculty members for fall 2024, to ensure faculty sufficiency and to honor our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belongingness (DEIB), in preparation for pending retirements. Review Fall 2023.
- Faculty will engage in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning through various funding efforts (e.g. Jack and Phyllis Miller Scholarship and Hellervik Scholarship, external grants, etc.). Review Fall 2023.
- Faculty will engage in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning through continued relationship with, and development of, international partnerships and align with SCSU's It's Time initiatives. Review Fall 2023.
- Faculty and Staff will engage in anti-racism, cultural humility, DEIB, and/or online teaching pedagogies as part of their continuing professional development. Review Spring 2023.
Alignment with University Husky Compact
Students
Timeline
- Holistic admissions process(es) will continue to be reviewed and refined to broaden and support the diversity of the graduate applicants. Review Fall 2023.
- Awareness around DEIB, mental health, empowerment, anti-racism, and cultural humility curricular and clinical opportunities will be a core component of the gradate curriculum. Review Spring 2024.
- Interprofessional education and interprofessional practice curricular and clinical opportunities will be a core component of the graduate curriculum. Review Fall 2024.
- Integration of courses and clinic, along with preparedness for the work force, will be the core of the cumulative capstone project during internship experiences. Review Fall 2026.
Alignment with University Husky Compact
Physical Space
Timeline
- Faculty will collaborate with the Dean to address our increasing need for space and resources. Review Fall 2024.
Alignment with University Husky Compact
Overall Program
Timeline
- Using the department strategic plan and assessment data, faculty will continue to advocate hiring probationary faculty to expand and enrich our graduate program. Review Fall 2023.
Alignment with University Husky Compact
