Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders; Department Head
Phone: 828-227-3379
Email: ogletree@wcu.edu
Office Address: McKee G50
Education:
- Ph.D., Florida State University
- M.S., University of Memphis
- B.S., University of Southern Mississippi
Biography:
I came to Western in 1992 from the University of Kansas Medical Center where I served as coordinator for speech and language services in the Children Rehabilitation Unit (now the Child Development Unit). I received my B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi, my M.S. from the University of Memphis, and my Ph.D. from Florida State University. Courses I am teaching or have taught recently are: Introduction to Speech and Hearing Sciences, AAC, Infant Toddler Communication, and Severe Disabilities Seminars.
My research interests center around the communication abilities and needs of persons with severe disabilities and autism. In the past two years I have had publications related to these populations in the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Journal of Communication Disorders, Communication Disorders Quarterly, and the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities (with Dr. Pierce).
I am an ASHA Fellow, and I serve as the CEC representative to the National Joint Committee for the Communicative Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities. I also will chair the 2012 ASHA conference submissions in the area of AAC. Drs. Hambrecht, Shapiro, and I learned of funding for a preprofessional and professional training program in the area of severe disabilities and autism in fall of 2008. Our four year US Department of Education project was funded for $786,219. Most of the award is being used for stipends for participating graduate students and SLPs. Read more about this exciting opportunity on our announcements page. Our final year of this project began fall of 2011.
On a personal note, when not in the office, I enjoy my family (two kids, wife, and four pets), guitars, and fly-fishing. I also like following the Cats and Southern Miss athletics.