Nebraska Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders

08/31/2026

We are so thankful for Jill and all she does!

Jill England, graduate coordinator in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, was selected as the July 2026 recipient of the College of Education and Human Sciences Staff Star Award, presented quarterly by the CEHS Staff Council.

08/28/2026

"Nikki, a former Loper volleyball standout, has been named to the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class. During her career as a middle hitter from 2006-09, she helped UNK put together a 126-20 record. She earned two American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honors, was named the 2009 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was a three-time first-team All-RMAC selection. Those accomplishments speak to how talented Nikki was as an athlete, but her impact did not end when she left the court."

Read the full story through the link in our bio! 📰

08/26/2026

Welcome Dr. Michelle Hernandez! 🎉

She joins us as an Assistant Professor for the Speech Language Pathology program. She recently received her PhD from the University of Houston!

Listen in as she shares a more about herself and what she's looking forward to!

08/25/2026

Welcome Dr. Taylor Bryant! 🎉

She joins us as an Assistant Professor for the Speech Language Pathology program. She recently received her PhD from the University of South Carolina!

Listen in as she shares a little bit about herself and what she's looking forward to!

08/24/2026

We are FINALLY back in session! We've missed you all the last few months, so we want to hear from you about your favorite moment over the summer ☀

If you swing by the Barkley Memorial Center today, be sure to grab a bag of popcorn in the student lounge!

08/20/2026

More to us than meets the eye 👀

08/17/2026

Orientation is under way for our first year Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology graduate students! ✨

Today, they've competed in scavenger hunts, gotten to know each other, and learned about the roles of a student clinician! 🔎

08/15/2026

Congratulations to our newest Husker alum! 🎓

Today, students across all three of our graduate programs are set to receive their hard-earned master's degree!

Alongside them, students in our Communication Sciences and Disorders and Special Education programs will be receiving their hard-earned bachelor's degree!

Total students: 50
SLP Master's: 28
AUD Master's: 5
SPED Master's: 9
SPED Bachelor's: 8

08/05/2026

Project identifies, enhances alternative communication opportunities for children with autism Ciara Ousley, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, recently evaluated the effects of embedding AAC within storybook reading and play time with young children with autism who...

08/03/2026

This past weekend, Dr. Miechelle McKelvey and Dr. Ciara Ousley attended the 14th Annual Calvin's Legacy Foundation golf tournament!

Over the last several years, Dr. Ousley and Dr. Susan Loveall have spearheaded a joint project funded by the Calvin Legacy Fund, which looks at the experiences of parenting children with disabilities, delays, and differences.