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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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SIU Valerie Boyer

Office: Rehn 310
Phone: 618-453-8283
valboyer@siu.edu
Vita

Denise Croft, Assistant Lecturer

Communication Disorders and Sciences

Denise Croft is currently serving as Program Director for the Communication Disorders and Sciences program. She is also an Assistant Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor for CDS. Additionally, she is 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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Denise Croft

Office: Rehn 312A
Phone: 618-536-7704
denisecroft@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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SIU Maria Claudia Franca

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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Juhi Kidwai

Office: Rehn 317
juhi.kidwai@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

Stephanie Nanto, Assistant Lecturer

Stephanie Nanto is an Assistant Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor for the Communication Disorders and Sciences program. Stephanie holds an M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.



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Stephanie Nanto

Office:  Rehn 317A
bishop.stephanie3@siu.edu

Jayma Stroud, Assistant Lecturer

Communication Disorders and Sciences

Jayma Stroud is an Assistant Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor for the Communication Disorders and Sciences program. She also serves as the Clinical Education Director for the CDS Program



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SIU Jayma Stroud Office: Rehn 310
hjayma@siu.edu
School of Health Sciences | College of Health and Human Sciences | 618-453-7211 |