Assistant Professor Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, CCC-SLP Office: Speech and Hearing Sciences, 120i Phone: (409) 880-8338 Email: kwsaar1@lamar.edu
Education
Ph.D., Applied Language and Speech Sciences, 2022
M.S., Speech Pathology, Lamar University, 2012
M.A., German Language and Culture, Arizona State University, 2004
Board Certification/Licensure
Certificate for Clinical Competence - American Speech-Language Hearing Association
Texas Licensure - State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Teaching
Undergraduate: Neurology, Phonetics, Medical SLP, Freshman Interest Group “All Things Geek”
Graduate: Cognitive-Communicative Disorders, Aphasia and Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Advanced Clinical Practicum, Dementia Friendly Community Engagement (study abroad), & Workshops in Accent Management/Expansion
Research Interests
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in CSD
Dynamic clinical training approaches
Discourse and identity while living with Dementia
Social response to disability
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Publications
(*indicates student co-author)
Byers, B., Bellon-Harn, M., *Allen, M., Whisenhunt Saar, K.,Manchaiah, V., Hansapani, R. (2021). A Comparison of Intervention Intensity and Service Delivery Models with School-age Children with Speech Sound Disorders in a School Setting. Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, 52(3), 1-13. DOI: 10.1044/2020_LSHSS-20-00057
Whisenhunt Saar, K.& Bellon-Harn, M. (2019). Accent Modification. In J.S. Damico & M.J. Ball (Eds), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders (7-8). Sage Publications, Inc. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483380810.n8.
Whisenhunt Saar, K., Bellon-Harn, M., Manchaiah, V., & *Higgins, D.E. (2016). Effects of an Accent Management Program on Intelligibility of Non-Native Speakers of American English. International Journal of Speech & Language Pathology and Audiology, 4, 74-85. DOI: 10.12970/2311-1917.2016.04.02.5
Peer-Reviewed Presentations
(*indicates student co-presenter)
Whisenhunt Saar, K.,Damico, H., Nelson, R., Arrington, L., Scales, A. (2022). Student Expressions of Learning via Study Abroad in CSD. [Technical research presentation]. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), New Orleans, LA.
Azios, M., Irani, F., Swartz, E., *Cauthen, E., *Watson-Love, T., & Whisenhunt Saar, K. (2022). The Experience of Cinematherapy as Told by Adults Who Stutter. [Poster presentation]. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), New Orleans, LA.
Byers, B., Bellon-Harn, M., *Allen, M., & Whisenhunt Saar, K.,(2020). A comparison of treatment intensity on speech sound production with students with articulation disorders. [Presentation proposal accepted]. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).
Azios, J., Nelson, R., Percle, A., Arrington, L., Damico, H., Damico, J.S., & Whisenhunt Saar, K.(2019). Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study: Through the Eyes of Students. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Orlando, FL.
Whisenhunt Saar, K., Dockens, A., & Byers, B. (2018) Cultivating Empathy through Study Abroad. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Boston, MA.
Whisenhunt Saar, K.,Azios, J., Bronson, D., & Buegge, G. (2017). Reflections of Study Abroad and the Expanded CSD Classroom. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
Azios, J., Archer, B., Whisenhunt Saar, K.,Damico, J.S., & Bronson, D. (2017). Singing as an Interactional Resource: Evidence from Conversational Analysis. [Poster presentation]. Texas Speech and Hearing Association (TSHA) Convention, Austin, TX.
*Bermudez, S., *Figlia, J., *Hebert, H., Azios, J., Whisenhunt Saar, K.,& Long, E. (2017). Development of an Observer Tool for Evaluating Communication Strategies in Persons with Dementia. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
Bronson, D., Whisenhunt Saar, K.,& Dockens, A. (2017). “Do SLPs Feel They Successfully Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance?” [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
Whisenhunt Saar, K.,Villate, V., Bellon-Harn, M., & Bronson, D. (2016). Can Mindfulness Decrease Stress and Increase Empathy of Pre-Service Clinicians? [1-hour presentation]. Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
Whisenhunt Saar, K.,*Steele, D., Bellon-Harn, M., & Radhakrishnan, N. (2015). Accent Management: Outcomes of a Segmental & Suprasegmental Training Program. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Denver, CO.
Whisenhunt Saar, K.,Bellon-Harn, M., Watson, G., Harn, W., & Radhakrishnan, N. (2013). Initiating collaboration: Perspectives from an SLP in her Clinical Fellowship Year. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Chicago, IL.
Invited Presentations
Major Neurocognitive Impairment and Long-Term Residential Care: Indirect Care Planning and the Role of the SLP. The University of Southern Mississippi, SHS 516 Adult Neurogenic Disorders. April 12, 2022.
Qualitative Research: A Quick Look. Lamar University, Honors 4364 Info Eval: Conspiracy Theories. January 30, 2022.
Accent Modification: TOOLS for versatility in communication. Lamar University College of Engineering, Communication and Ethics Course. October 20, 2017.
Accent Modification: background information and hands-on workshop. Lamar University College of Engineering Faculty. April 28, 2016.
Service Learning. Lamar University SMART Program Presentation. March 13, 2015.
Communication Qualities that Maximize Effective Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Southeast Texas Speech and Hearing Association. September 4, 2014
Professional Organization Memberships
American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association (TSHA)
Southeast Texas Speech and Hearing Association (SETSHA)
Southeastern University Clinical Educators (SEUCE)
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, Beta Xi chapter
Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
Association for Anthropology, Gerontology, and the Life Course (AAGE)