Nidhi Mahendra, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Director, Aging and Cognition Research Clinic

Areas of Interest: Multicultural Issues in Speech-Language Pathology, Cognition and Communication in Dementia and Healthy Aging, Bilingualism
Office: TR653B
Phone: 510.885.3182
E-mail: nidhi.mahendra@csueastbay.edu  
Faculty profile page

Nidhi Mahendra is an Associate Professor and current Chair of the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. She has been on the faculty at CSUEB since 2006. She earned her MS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing in India and her Ph.D. in Speech Language Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona. She is a bilingual speech language pathologist and has worked in acute hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, private practice, and in early intervention. Her areas of clinical and research expertise are in neurogenic communication disorders - dementia and aphasia, multicultural issues in speech language pathology, and dysphagia. She is the Principal Investigator of a training grant funded by The California Wellness Foundation (2012-2015).

Elena Dukhovny, Ph.D., U.C. Berkeley and San Francisco State University
Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Alternative and Augmentative Communication, Working Memory, Bilingualism
Office: TR654B
Phone: 510.885.2631
E-mail: elena.dukhovny@csueastbay.edu
Faculty profile page

Elena Dukhovny is an Assistant Professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. She received an M.A. in CSD from Northwestern University and a PhD in Cognition and Development, with emphasis in Special Education, from University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Dukhovny is a licensed clinical speech-language pathologist who has worked in school-based, private practice, non-profit and university settings since 2002.   She conducts research in the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), looking at the relationship between use of speech generating devices (SGDs) and working memory.

Kai Greene, Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin
Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Bilingualism, Dynamic Assessment, Intervention, Differential Diagnosis in Bilingual Populations
Office: TR654A
Phone: 510.885.7557
E-mail: kai.greene@csueastbay.edu
Faculty profile page

Kai Greene received his Ph.D. in December 2012 from the University of Texas at Austin, Department of Communication Sciences/Disorders.  He received his M.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles in Latin American Studies. Aside from working as a certified school-based bilingual speech-language pathologist for over ten years, his work with diverse populations in educational programs spans thirty years.  Research interests include dynamic assessment and clinical intervention in bilingual populations with language disorders and examination of the communicative strategies bilinguals employ to overcome linguistic obstacles.

Shubha Kashinath, Ph.D., Florida State University
Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Early Intervention, Treatment Efficacy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Personnel Preparation
Office: TR656B
Phone: 510.885.3090
E-mail: shubha.kashinath@csueastbay.edu
Faculty profile page

Shubha Kashinath is an Assistant Professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, and the Department’s Continuing Education Administrator. She received an M.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona and a PhD in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Florida State University. Dr. Kashinath’s research is focused on efficacy of communication interventions for individuals with autism, family-centered practices for children with disabilities and development of innovative personnel preparation programs in speech language pathology.  She has over 10 years of clinical experience serving families of young children with disabilities in Florida and California. She is a co-investigator on a training grant funded by The California Wellness Foundation (2012-2015).

Robert C. Peppard, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison
Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator

Areas of Interest: Voice Disorders, Head and Neck Cancer, Cleft Palate, Multicultural Issues, Speech Science
Office: TR656A
Phone: 510.885.4310
E-mail: robert.peppard@csueastbay.edu
Faculty profile page

Robert Peppard is an Associate Professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, and the Department’s Graduate Coordinator.  He received an M.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Bowling Green State University and a Ph.D. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  Dr. Peppard’s research incldues; Use of Instrumental Assessment tools including Video Endoscopiy of the Vocal Folds in the Assessment of Voice, Treatment of Voice Disorders across the life span and differences in Voice between Singers and Non-Singers.   He also has investigated issues affecting LGBT professionals in Speech-Language Pathology and LGBT clients.  He has been a practicing clinician in care of Medically related communication disorders for 40 years.

Sandra Deane, M.A., California State University, Hayward
Lecturer

E-mail: sandra.deane@csueastbay.edu

Sandra Deane is a Senior Speech Language Pathologist at Stanford Hospital and Clinics working in Acute Critical Care with previous clinical positions at John Muir Hospital, Walnut Creek and St. Rose Hospital, Hayward.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University Hayward (now CSUEB) with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a Master of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2004. She has considerable experience working in a private clinic and elementary school setting providing assessment and treatment for children with speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders. She currently is a Lecturer at CSUEB and teaches the Dysphagia Class at California State University East Bay. She became a Board Recognized Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders in 2011 and earned the designation of Registered MBSImP Clinician (Modified Barium swallowing Impairment Profile) in 2012.

Jennifer Henderson-Sabes, Ph.D., Arizona State University
Lecturer

E-mail:  Jennifer.Henderson-Sabes@ucsfmedctr.org

Jennifer Henderson Sabes has been teaching at CSU East Bay since 2008.   Her clinical interests and research are primarily focused on auditory rehabilitation and tinnitus management.  She is a Clinical and Research Audiologist at the University of California San Francisco and co-developed the LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) auditory rehabilitation program.  Jennifer has authored papers in both peer-reviewed and professional publications as well as book chapters.  She completed her Audiology degree at The George Washington University and pursued post-graduate education and training in auditory neuroscience at Arizona State University.

Shelley M. Simrin, M.A., San Francisco State University
Director of Clinical Services

Areas of Interest: Speech and Language Diagnostics, Child Language, Aphasia
Office: MB 1097A
Phone: 510.885.4762
E-mail: shelley.simrin@csueastbay.edu

Shelley Simrin has been the Director of the Speech Language Hearing Clinic at CSUEB since 1987. She received her B.A. in Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and her M.A. in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University. She considers herself a “generalist.” After spending several years exclusively working with children as an itinerant clinician or a Communication Handicapped classroom teacher, she shifted her focus to adults.  She provided treatment to adults with neurogenic disorders, secondary to strokes, head injuries, and other medical conditions in a variety of settings─ critical care, acute rehabilitation, outpatient, skilled nursing and home health.  This generalist perspective coupled with her extensive background in supervision provides a strong foundation for the CSUEB Speech-Language Pathologist training program. Her areas of interest include: diagnostics, linguistics, adult and pediatric language impairments, and counseling clients or families.

Jenny L. Rosenquist, M.A., California StateUniversity, San Diego
Clinical Supervisor and Coordinator of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, Lecturer

Areas of Interest: Clinical Supervision, Autism Spectrum Disorders
Office: MB 1088
Phone: 510.885.4278
E-mail: jenny.rosenquist@csueastbay.edu

Jenny Rosenquist joined CSUEB in 2007 as a full-time Clinical Supervisor and intermittent lecturer. She received her B.A and M.A. degrees in Communication Disorders from San Diego State University. After 7 years of working with adults in various levels of rehabilitation, including outpatient, acute care and skilled nursing, she spent the next 9 years working with infants and toddlers with developmental delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders. During this time she worked extensively with families and caregivers in the home environment, and frequently supervised interns and clinical fellows in both the home and classroom. Her areas of interest include clinical supervision, Autism Spectrum Disorders, early childhood language and family centered therapy, and she continues to provide speech therapy to both pediatric and adult clients in their homes.

Jill Chandler, M.A., San Jose State University
Clinical Supervisor and Coordinator of Off-site Hearing Screening Program

Areas of Interest: Speech and Language Diagnostics, Child Language, Aphasia, Stuttering, Voice
Office: MB 1566
Phone: 510.885.3246
E-mail: jill.chandler@csueastbay.edu

Jill Chandler has been a Clinical Supervisor at CSUEB since August 2009. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from San Jose State University. She has lead responsibility for the clinic’s hearing screening program.  Her most recent experience was working with adolescent language and articulation disorders.   Prior experience includes working with Voice, Stroke, and Brain Injured clients in clinical and hospital settings.  She has been a Director of Speech and Language, a Director of Inpatient Services, a Rehabilitation Director, and an Assistant Administrator in acute rehabilitation facilities.  She has also been an Executive Director in a neurological home health program.  

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, M.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Clinical Supervisor and Director-Aphasia Treatment Program

Areas of Interest: Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Group Treatment of Aphasia
Office: MB 1564
Phone: 510.885.3336
E-mail: ellen.bernstein-ellis@csueastbay.edu

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis is currently the Director of the Aphasia Treatment Program at CSUEB and developed the Aphasia Tones© choir in 2009, a Life Participation singing group. She received her BA and MA degrees from UC Santa Barbara. She received her initial clinical training at the Martinez VA Medical Center with Dr. Robert T. Wertz where she was a clinician investigating teletechnology as a means to provide aphasia therapy. She worked at Easter Seals Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Oakland and was the primary clinician on Dr. Roberta Elman’s Efficacy of Group Treatment study. She facilitated conversation groups at the Aphasia Center of California for over 10 years and helped to develop the Book Connection, a program focused on making popular literature accessible for individuals with aphasia. Her area of expertise is group treatment for neurogenic communication disorders.

Bonnie Groth, M.A., San Francisco State University
Clinical Supervisor

E-mail: bonnie.groth@csueastbay.edu

Bonnie Groth has been a certified speech language pathologist for over 37 years. She has been a clinical supervisor at CSUEB since 1997. She received her BA in French and her MA in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from San Francisco State University. She has developed expertise in the areas of childhood language disorders (including autism and deafness), head injury, dysphagia and adult neurological communicative disorders. Her work experience includes acute hospitals, schools, clinic settings and providing expert witness testimony. She was CEO/owner of East Bay Therapy, a speech-language pathology company, from 1991-2010. She speaks French and knows S.E.E. sign.

Karen Jang, M.S., California State University, Hayward
Clinical Supervisor

E-mail: karen.jang@csueastbay.edu

Karen Jang has been a clinical supervisor at CSUEB for 6 years. She has a BS in Genetics and Developmental Biology from UC Berkeley and an MS in Speech Pathology from Cal State Hayward (now CSUEB). She has worked in a variety of settings over the years including as a Communication Disorders Teacher for preschoolers, and a school-based Speech Language Pathologist. She has worked in Medical based settings including inpatient, outpatient, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), rehab hospitals, transitional units and home health. For 6 years she worked in a private school setting with autistic and severely emotionally disturbed children and teens and in Adult Day Settings with developmentally disabled adults. She enjoys working with adults and with alternative and augmentative communication modalities.

Marianna Wolff
Department Administrative Support Coordinator

Office: MB 1099A
Phone: 510-885-3233
FAX: 510-885-2186
E-mail: marianna.wolff@csueastbay.edu

Marianna Wolff graduated from California State University-Hayward (now CSUEB) with a degree in Music - Vocal Performance emphasis.  She completed a Preliminary Single-Subject teaching credential in 1995 and a Certificate in Theatrical Production Basics in 2001. Her background in music has led to many interesting discussions with faculty and clinical staff in how the study of music and the singer’s voice align with the discipline of speech language pathology. When not supporting the students, faculty, and clinical staff of the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Marianna enjoys being Music Director for local musical theatre productions.

Rosa Coleman
Clinic Administrative Support Assistant

Office: MB 1099
Phone: 510-885-3241
FAX: 510-885-2186
E-mail: rosa.coleman@csueastbay.edu

Rosa Coleman recently received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Corporate Management and plans to pursue graduate study. She transferred to CSUEB in the fall of 2009, after graduating from Laney College with highest honors. As a full-time student at CSUEB she accepted an internship with a local CPA firm, and became a McNair Scholar, successfully completing their graduate research program. In 2010, Rosa was certified by the IRS as a CSUEB Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA), during which time she provided free Income Tax Preparation services to low-income, elderly, disabled and limited-English speaking people in the local area. She also has experience working at the CSUEB Academic Advising and Career Education (AACE) department and in the Admissions department.

Rhoda L. Agin, Ph.D., University of Illinois
Professor Emerita, and Consulting Professor at Ariel University Center, Israel

Areas of Interest: Voice disorders, disorders of the orofacial complex, cultural diversity
E-mail: rla@ragincomm.com
Faculty web page

Jan R. Avent, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco & Santa Barbara
Professor Emerita

Areas of Interest: Adult neurological disorders, clinical research
E-mail: jan.avent@csueastbay.edu
Faculty web page

Norma S. Rees, Ph.D., New York University
Professor Emerita and President Emerita of the University

Areas of Interest: Child language (pragmatics), reading disorders
E-mail: norma.rees@csueastbay.edu
Faculty web page

William S. Rosenthal, Ph.D., Stanford University
Professor Emeritus

Areas of Interest: Fluency disorders, child language disorders, speech science
E-mail: william.rosenthal@csueastbay.edu
Faculty web page

Robert A. Veder, Ph.D., University of Washington
Professor Emeritus

Areas of Interest: Audiology, aural rehabilitation
E-mail: robertveder@charter.net
Faculty web page