Get to Know ACU Dallas Faculty | Dr. Peek

by   |  04.13.20  |  MSLP@ACU Dallas, The Faculty

Dr. Peek, Ph.D., CCC/SLP

What brought you to ACU-Dallas?
I have lived in the DFW area for over 15 years and was always impressed with the things I heard regarding ACU’s CSD program. When I found out that they were starting a program in Dallas I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it.

What area of speech and language is your specialty/favorite?
Working with the families of young children who are at risk for or have communication/speech/language difficulties is what I love to do as a professional.

What environments have you worked in?
I have worked in the following settings: early intervention; preschool; school; hospital (outpatient and inpatient); private practice; research and academia

How would you describe your teaching method?
I present and review concepts in a variety of ways (reading; lecture; discussion; group projects; case studies) so that hopefully I hit each students preferred learning method. I also spend a significant amount of time applying new knowledge to situations that will occur in the real world.

How does faith impact your profession or the profession of speech-language pathology in general?
I strongly believe in the blessing of vocation. I encourage students to explore and consider the ways in which God has created them uniquely to serve others through the field of speech-language pathology.

What is your favorite restaurant in Addison?
My favorite restaurant anywhere is anything Mexican.

What do you do to relax?
Read

What advice can you give to graduate students?
Be excited about the interesting and amazing things you will learn during the next two years!

What are you currently binge watching?
I am embarrassed to admit this, but Gossip Girl with my 18 year old daughter.

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
England

Do you have any pets?
I have two fluffy, white dogs – JJ and Mally. They love me the most of anyone in my house!

What are your hobbies?
Reading; Interior Design; Travel

Who is your favorite singer?
Vince Gill

Virtual Campus Visit — Conversation with Faculty recording

by   |  04.10.20  |  MSLP@ACU Dallas

We concluded our virtual Campus Visit for the ACU Dallas program with a conversation with faculty and accepted students yesterday evening.  I enjoy visiting with prospective students and talking about the field of speech-language pathology.  Embarking on a graduate program is an exciting yet anxious time and it seems more so now in the context of the COVID-19 virus.  ACU is committed to continuing it’s degree programs with high quality teaching using on-line/distance education modalities.  Together, we will make it through this time.

Click to listen to the conversation with faculty from Thursday, April 9th.

Program Information Session — recording

by   |  04.03.20  |  MSLP@ACU Dallas, Uncategorized

We completed the 2nd Program Information Session for the Dallas location of the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology last night.  Many accepted students attended and we had a great discussion.  If you were unable to attend one of these sessions and want to know more about the MS in SLP program at ACU Dallas, please watch this video.  If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email Dr. Bender, brenda.bender@acu.edu.

 

 

Get to Know ACU Dallas Faculty | Dr. Crumrine

by   |  04.02.20  |  MSLP@ACU Dallas, The Faculty

Dr. Crumrine, Ph.D., CCC/SLP

What brought you to ACU-Dallas?
We moved to Texas from Oklahoma after my husband’s job was relocated. Leaving my academic position in Oklahoma was very difficult for me. I prayed and prayed that God would provide me the opportunity to work at a university again. I will never forget the day I found the job announcement for ACU. The position seemed like a dream job.  A place where I could focus on student development, integrate faith, and continue to develop my research. I feel so blessed to work at ACU-Dallas!!!

What area of speech and language is your specialty/favorite?
I love child language disorders! My specialty area is Autism Spectrum Disorders.

What environments have you worked in?
I have worked in academia, outpatient pediatric clinic, and public school setting. 

How would you describe your teaching method?
I enjoy helping students understand the relationship between clinical practice, lab-based research findings, and textbook fundamentals.  To do this I incorporate a range of teaching techniques and tools into my courses. I integrate problem-based learning activities, case studies, presentations, discussion panels, and community-based projects into my courses. 

How does faith impact your profession or the profession of speech-language pathology in general?
I believe that I was called to be a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).  I was given the special gift to work with children who demonstrate complex communication needs. The field of Speech-Language Pathology is not just a job for me, but rather an opportunity to serve others.  As an assistant professor I am able to integrate my faith and learning in the classroom. I am thankful for the opportunity to mentor students on a more personal level and model ways to incorporate faith into clinical decision making and treatment of communication disorders.  My hope is that students will not only increase their knowledge about speech-language pathology but also deepen their relationship with God.

What is your favorite restaurant in Addison?
Anything Tex-Mex!

What do you do to relax?
Go for walks. Read books. Spend time with family.

What advice can you give to graduate students?
Graduate courses are not the same as undergraduate courses. This is an exciting journey but be prepared to put in the dedication and hard work. Try to keep up with reading. The assigned readings are at the core of class discussions, so the best way to be prepared is to have read the chapters/articles. Connect with your classmates. Your peers are going through the same experiences, and it is helpful to have a support network. Overall, be excited about your career choice and soak up every learning opportunity!!! 

What are you currently binge watching?
Friends!

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
Hawaii!!

Do you have any pets?
Yes! Two dogs. A Boston Terrier named Sherman and mixed breed named Martin.

What are your hobbies? 
I enjoy reading books and cooking with my husband.

Who is your favorite singer?
Adele

Get to Know ACU Dallas Faculty | Dr. Bender

by   |  04.02.20  |  MSLP@ACU Dallas, The Faculty

Dr. Bender, Ph.D., CCC/SLP

What brought you to ACU-Dallas?
I have been on faculty in the CSD department since 2001.  When ACU wanted to expand the graduate program in SLP, I volunteered to move to Dallas to be part of the expansion.  I love growing and developing new ideas so this has been a fun time for me. My brother and his family live in the area so it is good to be near them again.

What area of speech and language is your specialty/favorite?
I LOVE Voice Disorders.  I find the structure and function of the larynx amazing – something so powerful as our voice is produced with a very small structure.  All of the elements of our communication systems were designed specifically for communication. So, after Voice Disorders, I love Speech Science, Motor Speech Disorders and Dysphagia – anything that involves the nervous system and communication!

What environments have you worked in? Academia, outpatient, inpatient, hospital, school etc.
I have worked in almost all clinical settings.  I worked in the public schools after my Bachelor’s degree.  After I completed my Master’s degree, I worked in in-patient rehabilitation and acute care hospitals for 3 years.  When I completed my Doctoral degree, I worked part-time in the summers doing in-patient rehab, acute hospital and out-patient care.  I also covered some Home Health when the regular therapist was on vacation. During the academic year, I was part of a multi-disciplinary voice clinic for several years. 

How would you describe your teaching method?
I still use a lot of lecture in classes but I also incorporate case studies for application of new knowledge in small group discussions.  I use simulations and other training methods for student to develop their assessment skills in voice, motor speech disorders and dysphagia.  

How does faith impact your profession or the profession of speech-language pathology in general?
First my faith impacts my profession because I am called to be a teacher.  I have a great sense of responsibility to provide students with the foundational knowledge for their practice as speech-language pathologists.  Part of that foundation is recognizing that we were designed for communication – the connection with one another and the connection with God. All of our communication systems were designed for efficiency in communicating our thoughts and ideas.  Lastly, I want students to approach their practice as speech-language pathologists from the perspective of a ministry or a calling. This ministry of speech-language pathology establishes communication pathways for others; allowing them to engage in relationships more fully.  By seeing their profession as ministry, students see the bigger purpose of their work in this world.

What is your favorite restaurant in Addison?
I don’t really have a favorite restaurant – I love Mexican food!

What do you do to relax?
I love to read fiction.  I usually have a book in progress so I use it as my escape at the end of a long day. 

What advice can you give to graduate students?
Talk to the people who can help you the most – this includes faculty.  We are here because you have chosen ACU. Our job is to serve you. And we are here for you beyond what is happening in the classroom.

What are you currently binge watching?
Most any medical or emergency show on regular tv.  

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
The mountains – it’s one of my favorite places to go and regain perspective.

Do you have any pets?
I have a Chihuahua named Coco.  See my pic….

What are your hobbies?
Reading and quilting!  I love to take a quilt pattern and create it in my own color palette.  Sometimes I make a change to the pattern that makes it more interesting. 

Who is your favorite singer?
I have eclectic musical tastes so it depends on the genre – currently, I’m listening to Christian music and my favorite groups are King and Country and Bethel Music.