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Communication Disorders & Sciences Faculty
Our faculty are a unique blend of researchers, educators and professionals who are proven experts in their fields.
Valerie E. Boyer, Associate Professor
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Valerie E. Boyer is a tenured Associate Professor in the Communication Disorders and Sciences program. She is the current recipient of the Mark and Susan Ashley Endowed Professorship.
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Office: Rehn 310
Phone: 618-453-8283
valboyer@siu.edu
Vita
Denise Croft, Assistant Lecturer
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Denise Croft is an Assistant Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor, and Externship Coordinator for the Communication Disorders and Sciences program. She is also serving as Interim Director at SIU’s Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Denise holds an M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist holding a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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Office: Rehn 312A
Phone: 618-536-7704
denisecroft@siu.edu
Ashley Eggemeyer, Assistant Lecturer
Office: Rehn 317
akipp@siu.edu
Maria Claudia Franca, Professor
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Maria Claudia Franca is a Professor in the Communication Disorders and Sciences Program. She holds a M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences and a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation with concentration in Communication Disorders from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
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Office: Rehn 318A
Phone: 618-453-8292
franca@siu.edu
Juhi Kidwai, Assistant Professor
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Juhi Kidwai is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Disorders and Sciences Program at Southern Illinois University. She earned her Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology in 2021 at the University of Kansas and continued with postdoctoral research at New York University before beginning at Southern Illinois University in 2023.
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Office: Rehn 317
juhi.kidwai@siu.edu
Kathryn (Kitty) Martin, Senior Lecturer
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Kitty Martin is an instructor and clinical supervisor for Communication Disorders and Sciences. She has mentored CDS students in the McNair program, facilitated student tutoring for CDS student athletes, and served as chair for the undergraduate CDS curriculum review.
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Office: Rehn 322
Phone: 618-453-7723
kittym@siu.edu
Vita
Atheana Meadows, Associate Lecturer
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Atheana Meadows, MA, CCC-Audiology is Associate Lecturer for the Communication Disorders and Sciences (CDS) program, in the School of Health Sciences, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is also Clinical Coordinator of Speech and Hearing Services at The SIU Clinical Center where she oversees the Auditory Processing-Language Processing-Literacy Specialty Clinic.
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Office: Rehn 316A
Phone: 618-536-7704
atheana.meadows@siu.edu
Jason Mings, Assistant Lecturer
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Jason Mings is a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience in public school settings. Jason works in a public school in southern Illinois while teaching and providing clinical instruction in the communication disorders and sciences program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Jason grew up in West Frankfort, Il. He and his wife Nicole reside in southern Illinois with their two kids and a German Shorthaired Pointer. Jason also owns a fish farm, raising largemouth bass and selling them in partnership with SIUC aquaculture program in his "free time". Major interests in the field of communication disorders and sciences are implementing AAC in the schools, and treating fluency disorder.
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Office: Rehn 308
jason.mings@siu.edu
Diane Muzio, Professor of Practice Emeritus
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Diane Muzio joined the faculty in 1997, and is a Senior Lecturer in the Rehabilitation Institute and Clinic Coordinator for the Communication Disorders & Sciences Program.
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