Rate My Professor Megan Mahowald

Dr. Megan Mahowald, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the Chair of the Department of Speech, Hearing & Rehabilitation Services in the College of Allied Health and Nursing at Minnesota State University, Mankato. A certified speech-language pathologist, she practiced clinically before pursuing her doctorate and entering academia. Her career includes faculty and leadership roles at Indiana University following her Ph.D., and a decade at Minnesota State University, Mankato, advancing to associate professor and department chair. There, she led comprehensive curriculum revisions in the Communication Sciences and Disorders programs, examined admissions practices and policies to better support diverse students and communities served, and spearheaded the department's rapid adaptation to online learning and teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mahowald's research and academic interests center on professional development for speech-language pathologists in literacy assessment and intervention, cultural humility, and social justice in speech-language pathology education. She co-authored the 2019 article 'An Exploratory Study of the Impact of Professional Development on Speech-Language Pathologists' Literacy Knowledge and Practices' in Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. Additional contributions include co-presenting on 'Decentering Whiteness in Communication Sciences & Disorders' at the 2023 Scholars at Work Conference and work on 'The Culture Flex: Advancing Social Justice in Educational Speech-Language Practices.' She co-directs the Rec N' Read literacy program and Camp Maverick, a youth literacy intervention recreation camp, securing grants for its implementation including 'Camp Maverick: Rec N' Read' and 'Camp Maverick Outdoors!' In 2020, the Minnesota State system Board of Trustees honored her as one of six outstanding educators from Mankato among 50 statewide. Mahowald has spoken on literacy at Children's Minnesota's Speech Continuing Education day and presented at the Nexus Summit 2020 on interprofessional practice. She contributes to committee roles, editorial efforts, and undergraduate research mentoring in speech-language pathology.