CSD Faculty and Staff

Leigh Anne Roden is a Clinical Associate Professor who has been with WKU since 2012 when she began teaching as an adjunct faculty member.  She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees, Rank I, Director of Special Education Endorsement, Autism Certificate, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership at WKU.

Dr. Roden spent the initial years of her clinical career as a speech-language pathologist in the school setting.  She has experience in acute care, outpatient rehabilitation services, long-term care, private practice, and birth-three home-based services.  She continues working in an acute care hospital and with the Kentucky Early Intervention System serving the birth-three population.

At WKU, Dr. Roden teaches, supervises, and serves as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.  She also serves as a content-expert and editor on various student thesis committees.

Engagement of Speech-Language Pathology Students | Clinical Supervision | Behavior Management

I believe in the philosophy of "learning by teaching:" Hear one, see one, do one, teach one. Learners hear a concept, key word, or explanation of a therapy technique and then see the concept visually represented, the word defined, or the therapy technique demonstrated. Learners may independently illustrate the concept, write a sentence with the word, or perform the technique with a client. After following this sequence, learners then become teachers by sharing their knowledge with others.

My goal is to use real-world experiences to help students learn. Through case studies, videos, interviews, demonstrations, sample documentation, and practice students are given various channels to help with retention of information. I strive to create an environment where students are challenged, yet comfortable, and instilled with the desire to learn as much as they can about the field of speech-language pathology.

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain