Speech-language pathologist (SLP) Klaire Brumbaugh ClinScD, CCC-SLP, came to Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), much like many other students: searching for a program that allowed her to grow through classroom knowledge and clinical experience while maintaining a full-time job. Brumbaugh had always been encouraged through family members and mentors to continue her education, so when she found RMUoHP, she knew it was the place for her.
Not far into her doctoral program, Brumbaugh realized she wanted to teach and engage in clinical research herself. During her fourth semester, this aspiration came to life as she had the opportunity to work as a tenure-track assistant professor.
“Since graduating, my career trajectory has changed. Instead of being evaluated by my productivity by billable units, my productivity is evaluated by scholarship, teaching, and service. I absolutely love working with graduate students every day.”
Brumbaugh continues to support RMUoHP as the capstone committee chair for four students from the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program and now serves her alumni community as a member of RMUoHP’s Alumni Association Board.
Brumbaugh’s service does not stop there. She is actively involved in her professional community. She participates in her state-level speech association and enjoys providing training on supervision and ethics to various groups. Brumbaugh is also heavily involved in mentorship through the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)’s STEP mentoring program, a mentor for an alumni program at Kansas State University, and a moderator for a clinical research group for SLPs. As for research, she has had five papers accepted for publication this past year and one more currently under review, with two in preparation. Brumbaugh has also been a contributing author to the ASHA blog with multiple publications.
Brumbaugh is an advocate of continued learning and meets regularly with mentors to guide her in providing scholarships, service, and teaching to students. When it comes to furthering your education in any form, Brumbaugh says to “Make connections! Surround yourself with people who encourage you. Write every day. Even if it is one citation, revise a single sentence, read one article. Just keep moving forward.”
