Communication Disorders Strategic Plan
CSD Strategic Plan, 2019-2024
Mission of the OLLU Harry Jersig Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic/CSD Program
- to prepare graduate students for successful careers in speech-language pathology
- to prepare undergraduate students with a knowledge of communication sciences and disorders in preparation for graduate school or for related careers in allied health and education fields
- to provide evidence-based services to individuals with communication and swallowing disorders
- to engage in scholarly activity in the field of communication sciences and disorders.
This CSD mission statement is developed from the OLLU mission statement that is a community that serves students by:
- Ensuring quality, innovative undergraduate and graduate learning experiences; Fostering spiritual, personal, and professional growth; and Preparing students for success and continued service.
We aim to provide a quality program that supports, in numerous ways, learning experiences
to create successful speech-language pathologists who will be dedicated to serve clients
with communication and swallowing needs using the most current scientific evidence.
The program will contribute to knowledge in the field through scholarship and research
opportunities with students.
The CSD Strategic Plan is based on the goals of OLLU strategic plan: To Grow, To Graduate
and To Lead.
CSD Program Goal 1: Increase local, state, national, and international awareness of
our undergraduate and graduate programs
Obj. 1: Promote programs by expanding the number of awareness opportunities through professional
fairs, exhibits.
Measurement: six opportunities a year will be created to display and/or distribute information
about the programs including to local community colleges.
Obj. 2: Increase opportunities for potential students to visit the program.
Measurement: Three graduate Open Houses and 2 undergraduate events specific to the programs will
be offered each year.
Obj. 3: Improve accessibility to current information about the program.
Measurement: Website information will be updated 2X a year, and social media will be used to disseminate
information.
Obj.4: Increase local, state, national, and international inquiries from states outside of
Texas.
Measurement: Number of out-of-state student applicants will increase 5% per year to 35% by 2022.
CSD Program Goal 2: Increase community awareness of services provided by the Harry Jersig Center
Obj. 1: Expand distribution of information to medical and non-medical persons in the community.
Measurement: A contact list will be created to provide information about speech, hearing or voice
screenings, and information distributed once a year.
Obj. 2: Increase the number of individuals taking advantage of free/low cost screening services.
Measurement: Three off-site screenings and three on-site screenings (including voice and hearing)
will be provided each year and the number of persons who annually take advantage of
clinical services such as hearing and voice screening will increase to more than 60.
Obj. 3: Market new programs/activities such as summer camps to the larger community through
increased distribution of program brochures/flyers and the use of social media and
video.
Measurement: By 2022 the School will create an online newsletter, manage existing Facebook page
and redesign, mail over 100 brochures regarding Harry Jersig Center services, and
redesign multiple brochures which can be mailed to selected populations. Client services
and referrals will grow by 20% over three years.
Obj. 4: Expand function and size of the HJC Advisory Board.
Measurement: The Board will maintain a Chair with a minimum of 10 Board members and will expand
fundraising functions.
CSD Program Goal 3: Continue to enhance and promote academic and clinical excellence
Obj. 1: The Program will continue to meet current accreditation standards set by the CAA.
Measurement: The annual accreditation report will be approved each year.
Obj. 2: The program will continue to provide quality academic and clinical programs through
strength of instruction and changes in coursework as indicated by current research
and employer needs.
Measurement: Positive course and overall program evaluation surveys by students, alumni, and off-campus
supervisors. One faculty retreat will be held each semester to discuss revisions and
improvement of program (with documented minutes).
Obj. 3: Students’ will develop knowledge and skills in all areas indicated on certification
standards.
Measurement: 90% of graduating students will pass the Praxis on the first attempt.
Obj. 4: Students will have clinical opportunities through collaboration of all faculty in
childhood language and literacy programs and specialized summer programs with pediatric
and adult populations.
Measurement: 50% of graduate students will participate in at least one of these experiences during
their graduate program.
CSD Program Goal 4: To ensure that we offer multiple programs and admit the best students
into these programs
Obj. 1: Continue to recruit freshman and community college transfer students into UG program.
Measurement: The number of students entering UG program annually will maintain at a minimum of
25 new students each year.
Obj. 2: Continue to offer opportunities for post-baccalaureate students to enter leveling
program as a prerequisite to application to the graduate program.
Measurement: 75% of post-baccalaureate students will complete the leveling program and 50% will
be admitted to a graduate program.
Obj. 3: Meet program goal of 24 new students entering graduate program each year.
Measurement: 24 students will enter graduate program each year and 80% will graduate at the expected
time.
CSD Program Goal 5: Improve treatment outcomes for clients
Obj. 1: Clients will show improvement in communication and/or swallowing skills.
Measurement: 85% of clients served will demonstrate improved communication skills toward achievement
of goals as stated in progress summaries. These results will be based on annual analyses
by clinical faculty of the end of semester progress reports prepared by student clinicians.
Obj. 2: Clients and families will be satisfied with services received at the HJC including
scheduling and setting.
Measurement: 85% of clients and families will indicate satisfaction with services received based
on the customer satisfaction surveys.
CSD Program Goal 6: Modify academic programs to meet professional, local and regional
needs
Obj. 1: Program content will reflect needs of local employers.
Measurement: 85% of graduate students will obtain speech-language pathologist positions within
six months of graduating.
Obj. 2: Continue to offer additional course content in new areas.
Measurement: One new selected topic course will be added to the curriculum every two years based
on the responses from student exit interviews and site supervisors who request additional
training for students in certain areas and from faculty proposals.
CSD Program Goal 7: Improve instrumentation and equipment for teaching, clinical services and research
Obj. 1: Maintain and update equipment as needed in the Harry Jersig Center.
Measurement: The primary conference room in HJC will be updated by 2021 to include new projector
screens and adequate audio. Audiovisual equipment for supervision will continue to
be fully functional.
Obj. 2: Maintain fully equipped at least three clinic and research labs.
Measurement: Additional grants will be obtained in the next two years to fund research and clinical
equipment.
CSD Program Goal 8: Improve student financial support
Obj. 1: Continue to pursue grants, donations and scholarships to support students.
Measurement: One additional scholarship will be added every three years to those currently offered.
Obj. 2: Maintain several graduate assistantships per year.
Measurement: The number of graduate assistantships offered each year will be maintained at a minimum
of seven.