Speech-language pathologist Jessica Danley has joined the University of Arkansas' Communication Sciences and Disorders program as clinical education coordinator.

Danley was hired as a full-time clinical instructor in the College of Education and Health Professions. She'll also coordinate the clinical education curriculum, manage the on-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic and place graduate students in clinical internship sites in the community.

"Jessica is a wonderful addition to our program," said director Rachel Glade. "Our community, students and community partners will all benefit from her knowledge, clinical skill set, and determination to serve our community well."

Prior to joining the U of A, Danley worked as a speech-language pathologist in various clinical settings including acute care, skilled nursing and most recently, inpatient rehabilitation.

"During the past eight years in adult rehabilitation I served as the program champion for dysphagia — disordered swallowing — and traveled as a corporate educator on voice and swallowing disorders in Parkinson's Disease," she said. "My specialties include providing communication, voice and swallowing therapy to individuals who have suffered from a stroke or brain injury, and those with neurologic impairments."

As a community speech therapist, Danley has been supervising graduate-student interns from the U of A Communication Sciences and Disorders program for many years. When the position became available to work even more directly with the program and offer her clinical skills and knowledge in adult clinical practice, she decided to apply.

"The mission of the program 'to advance knowledge of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders through basic and applied research, graduate clinician training, and community service' aligns very closely with my own values and personal vision of serving the Northwest Arkansas community as a mentor and resource," Danley said.

Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Danley left the state after high school to pursue a speech-language pathology degree, with a minor in Spanish, from the University of North Texas. She graduated in 2006. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from Tennessee State University in 2009. 

Danley is currently working toward a brain injury specialist certification as well as a board certification in swallowing disorders.

She and her family relocated to Northwest Arkansas from Austin, Texas, eight years ago.

"We now enjoy a quiet life in the Fayetteville countryside with our two children, Evelynn and Miles, and our grumpy old dog, Benny," she said. "I am humbled and honored in this new role and so grateful to be a member of the university family."