Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Department Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

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Mission Statement

Within a field of only 8% racial minorities, the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) is committed to making deliberate and calibrated efforts to increase representation and support and elevate marginalized communities. In doing so, we aim to foster diversity, equity and inclusion in our education, research, training and clinical service missions to dismantle practices that perpetuate disparities. We will lead by example to promote cultural responsiveness and reject all forms of prejudice, intolerance and discrimination.

More information about the overall mission and vision for SLHS can be found in our strategic plan.

Chair and Committee

Chenell Loudermill, PhD, CCC-SLP
Clinical Professor & Director of Clinical Education
in Speech-Language Pathology
(she/her)
clouder@purdue.edu

SLHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Members

  • Jaime Bauer Malandraki, Clinical Associate Professor
  • Kwang Kim, Assistant Professor
  • David Kemmerer, Professor
  • Zachary LaFratta, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Melissa Taylor, Undergraduate Coordinator
  • Helen Willis, MS-SLHS Student
  • DeAvianna Abrons, MS-SLHS Student
  • Emily Jones, AuD Student
  • Collin Sexton, AuD Student
  • Alaina Fleming, AuD Student
  • Margaret “Marly” Palanca, Undergraduate Student
  • Sarah Lopez, Undergraduate Student
  • Camila Bonta, Undergraduate Student
  • Lourdes Segura, Undergraduate Student

Department Programs and Initiatives

Newly Admitted Undergraduate Students

SLHS is eager to get to know newly admitted undergraduate students and learn how we can help you accomplish your goals. Connect with members of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to obtain additional information about the department and help you navigate postsecondary education. Virtual meetings are held during the spring and summer for undergraduate students entering Purdue in the fall.

SLHSCares

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences cares deeply about the well-being of our students, and we want to ensure you feel a sense of belonging at Purdue and in SLHS. We invite you to attend one of our SLHSCares check-ins to chat with a student member of our DEI Committee and let us know how you are doing. Check-ins are held virtually throughout the semester on the scheduled dates below. Please see dates, times and meeting room links below.

January

Date: Friday, January 26, 2024
Time: 10am-11am
Members: Marly P, Helen W., DeAvianna A., Collin S., Alaina F.


February

Date: Friday, February 9th
Time: 4-5pm
Members: Alaina F., Marly P., Emily L., DeAvianna A., Collin S.

Date: Monday, February 19th
Time: 10-11am
Members: Lourdes S., Marly P.


March

Date: Monday, March 18th
Time: 1-2pm (one event due to Spring Break)
Members: Camila B, Helen W., Collin S., Lourdes S., Sarah L.


April

Date: Monday, April 8th
Time: 1-2pm
Members: Camila B, Helen W., Collin S., Lourdes S., Sarah L.

Date: Friday, April 26th
Time: 10-11pm
Members: Marly P, Helen W., DeAvianna A., Collin S., Alaina F.

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Curriculum for Graduate Students

To train you to be culturally competent and provide the most appropriate care for your clients and patients, students enrolled in our MS-SLP program will engage with the SLHS JEDI curriculum. Course objectives are based on the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Value Rubrics and link to CAA program standards and CFCC certification standards for graduate programs.


Connect with Us

Choosing the right program for you is a big decision, so it can be helpful to talk to those who have been in your shoes. Several SLHS alumni and students are eager to share their experiences and help you gather insights into your options. Learn more about their interests and ways to get in touch below.

SLHS Alumni

Current SLHS Students


Statistically Speaking

Join our extended clinical educator team!

In a profession where only 8% of practicing professionals represent individuals who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and approximately 5% identify as male, it is important for us to understand the composition of our profession, so we can seek out practitioners from diverse or underrepresented groups. This offers our students exposure to different perspectives of the field and opportunities to learn from diverse individuals. It is equally important that we support practitioners from marginalized communities who wish to become preceptors. If you identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+ or are a member of any other historically excluded or marginalized group and wish to serve as a clinical preceptor for Purdue students, please email the Doctor of Audiology externship coordinator, Shannon Van Hyfte, at svanhyff@purdue.edu; the speech-language pathology educational externship coordinator, Tamar Greenwell, at greenwel@purdue.edu; or the speech-language pathology healthcare externship coordinator, Jaime Bauer Malandraki, at jaimebauer@purdue.edu. As our profession continues to evolve, we are committed to doing our part to promote social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

State Level Demographic Data

ASHA Demographic Data

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are core to the mission and values of HHS.

Learn More About Our Initiatives

Contact Us

For questions, concerns or to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, please reach out to slhsdei@purdue.edu.