Melanie Meeker graduated from Harding University in 1995 and from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1997. She joined the Harding faculty in 2008 with a background in medical speech pathology. Her expertise is in adult neurogenic communication disorders, dysphagia, and interprofessional education and practice. She completed her Ph.D. from the University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and University of Arkansas Medical Sciences consortium in 2012. She was presented with the Distinguished Teacher Award in 2017 and assumed the role of department Chair in 2018.
Melanie is certified in LSVT LOUD treatment for individuals with Parkinson's and related disorders and in the McNeil Dysphagia Treatment Program for individuals with swallowing disorders. She serves as the CSD representative to the Interprofessional Education Steering Committee at Harding and is a site visitor for the Council of Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
Amy Baker completed her B.A. at Harding University and M.S. at the University of Central Arkansas. Amy has worked as a speech-language pathologist in the school setting for kindergarten through 12th grade. She has also worked in the preschool setting and as a contract therapist. Amy is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT). She joined the Harding faculty in 2010 after serving as an adjunct supervisor in 2009.
Tim Chance received his undergraduate and his graduate degrees from the University of Central Arkansas. After working at Easter Seals Arkansas Rehabilitation Center, Ascent Children's Health Services Center, and as a contract therapist, he joined the Harding faculty in 2009 and began serving as the clinic externship director in August, 2019. He also serves as the director of HIZ-Path (Harding in Zambia-Speech Pathology). His current areas of emphasis are AAC, language development and disorders, and multicultural issues.
Joni Day graduated from Harding University with her B.A. in communication disorders in 1995, and her MCD. from Arkansas State University in 1996. She holds certifications in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) for both adults and children. Joni brings years of experience working with pediatric and adolescent populations in various settings, including public schools, private practices, and educational cooperatives. Joni began adjunct supervising at Harding in 2011 and transitioned to a full-time faculty role in 2012. Her professional interests include language development and executive functioning, with a focus on supporting individuals in developing skills related to planning, organization, and self-regulation.
Norma Dominguez graduated from Harding University with a bachelor’s degree and worked as a speech/language pathologist assistant in Pennsylvania and in California before obtaining an M.A. degree in communication sciences and disorders from California State University Fullerton. Norma's employment settings have included speech/language therapy in the geriatric and pediatric populations and servicing children in outpatient and school settings. She became a telehealth provider in April 2020, and in June 2006, she worked on translating the Workbook of Activities for Language and Cognition (WALC 1) into Spanish for Linguisystems, Inc.
David Gerst graduated from Harding University in 2007 and earned his M.S. in speech-language pathology from Towson University in 2009. He has experience in the adult population, serving in both clinical and leadership roles across the healthcare continuum. David joined the Harding University faculty in 2026. His professional interests include medical speech-language pathology, specifically Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), where he has contributed to the development of training and competency programs for SLPs. He is also active with multiple professional organizations, advocating for the allied health professions with a focus on post-acute care.
Laura Mulvany completed her B.A. in communication disorders at Harding University in 1999, and her M.A. at Southeast Missouri State University in 2001. Employment settings have included West Tennessee Healthcare outpatient rehabilitation, National Healthcare Corporation nursing home, National Healthcare Corporation home health, Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative preschool, and Reaper Physical Therapy outpatient rehabilitation. Laura began adjunct supervising at Harding University in 2013. She joined the Harding faculty in October, 2014 and began serving as the Director of Clinical Services in July, 2018.
Jan Traughber graduated from Harding University in 1995 and received her M.S. in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Mississippi in 1997. She completed her Ed.D. in healthcare education from Nova Southeastern University in 2019, with a dissertation study that investigated the use of simulated learning in pediatric feeding. Dr. Traughber is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT). She has worked in private practice and medical facilities serving individuals in the pediatric and adult populations. Her employment settings have included the University of Tennessee's Center for Developmental Disabilities, Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, Methodist University Hospital, Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative, and Pediatric Therapy Associates. Jan began as a clinical educator at Harding in 2007, served as the Director of Clinical Services from 2012-2018, and currently teaches and supervises clinical services in the graduate program.
Kevin Tripp earned his B.A. in communication sciences and disorders from Harding University in 2005 and his Au.D. from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2009. He is the owner and operator of Tripp Audiology in Searcy, AR. His professional interests include aural rehabilitation, counseling, and hearing aid dispensing. He has served as an adjunct instructor since the Fall of 2008.
Jaime received her bachelors from Abilene Christian University in 2006. After working as an assistant in the public schools, she returned to Harding University and obtained her masters in 2011. Since graduating, her primary focus has been within the public school systems in Texas. She served as a supervisor and mentor for assistants, graduate students, and clinical fellows. Jaime joined the Harding University faculty in 2021.
April Watson graduated from Harding University with her B.A. in communication sciences and disorders in 1999 and earned her M.A. in communication disorders at Southeast Missouri State University in 2001. Her background is in medical speech pathology, with most of her career spent working in hospitals, rehabilitation, and home health. She also spent five years serving adults with disabilities in a developmental day treatment program before joining the Harding faculty in 2014. April holds the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certification and is an ACUE-trained educator. She is trained in the flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and performs nasendoscopy/video stroboscopy exams in the speech clinic. She is also a trained co-facilitator for Verdi, the speech clinic's facility dog. Her professional interests include swallowing disorders, adult language, voice, and cognitive disorders.
Shawna Cullins graduated from Harding University with her B.A. in human resource management. She came to Harding with a background of business-related work experiences in 2015 and is now serving as the speech clinic administrative assistant.
Martha Vendetti graduated from David Lipscomb University with a B.S. in office administration. After graduating from David Lipscomb University, she worked 5 years as an executive assistant for the senate majority caucus chairman of the Tennessee state senate, Nashville, TN. She came to Harding in 2006 with a background of business-related work experiences. She is now serving as the CSD department administrative assistant.
Information for 