2023 Executive Council2023 President: Elizabeth DeVelder, M.A., CCC-SLP Liz DeVelder, MA, CCC-SLP is an Instructor and Clinical Supervisor at the University of South Dakota. She also serves as the SLP Clinic Coordinator. Liz teaches many undergraduate courses in the program and loves goal writing, MLUs, and those good old Brown's 14 morphemes! In clinic, her clinic caseload typically is filled with language, autism, and literacy. Liz graduated from USD with her BS and MA and then worked in Northeastern Nebraska schools for 7 years before starting at USD. She lives in Vermillion with her husband, Craig, and occasionally her 2 children make it home. Tyler is at the South Dakota School of Mines and Kate is at Black Hills State. Liz is excited to be back on the SDSLHA executive board. She served as treasurer of the organization from 2010-2015. 2023 President-Elect: Coral Dirks, AuD, Ph.D., CCC-A Dr. Coral Dirks earned her Au.D. in 2017 and Ph.D. in 2020 from the University of Minnesota. She completed her externship at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. For her dissertation, Dr. Dirks studied spatial hearing and fitting strategies for people with (near-)normal hearing in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other. She worked as a research audiologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before coming to USD. At Walter Reed, Dr. Dirks studied the effects of noise exposure and hearing protection on auditory fitness for duty. Dr. Dirks continues to collaborate with the Department of Defense on projects related to spatial hearing, hearing protection, early hearing loss detection, and cochlear implants. She also supports the state Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program.
Shelly M. Grinde, MA, CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist employed as an instructor and Internship Coordinator in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of South Dakota. She also works PRN in the Skilled Nursing Facilities on the eastern side of South Dakota. Shelly lives near Colton, SD with her family on a farm. She has served as SDSLHA President and CEU Coordinator in the past. Additionally, she is a site visitor with the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Vice-President-Speech Language Pathology: Jason V. Fornwald, Ed.S., M.S., CCC-SLP
 Jason V. Fornwald, Ed.S, MS, CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist employed as an Instructor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of South Dakota. He works predominantly out of the USD Scottish Rite Children's Clinic in Sioux Falls, SD. Jason has 25 years of experience as an SLP in both MN and SD working with individuals ranging from infant to elderly. Jason was born in Lampman, Saskatchewan and moved to the United States in 1992 to play college baseball. He now resides in Sioux Falls, SD with his wife, three children and two french bulldogs.
Vice-President - Audiology: Open Position Treasurer: Taya Schmidt, M.A., CCC-SLP  I’m Taya Schmidt, one of the Speech Pathologists for the Brookings School District. This is my 8th year as an SLP, and my first with the Brookings District. Prior to taking on my current role, I was the SLP for Chester Area Schools for 6 years. I proudly obtained my undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Hearing Sciences from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and my graduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Dakota. My husband and I, with our two boys, live in Colman.
Secretary: Danci Hoff, M.A., CCC-SLP  Danci Hoff, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is employed by Hands on Health, Inc., based out of Lemmon, SD. She provides school-based SLP services to K-12 students for mutiple districts, medical-based SLP services at a skilled nursing facility, as well as outpatient services. She enjoys experiencing the vast diversity of students' communication needs, and collaborating with professionals across with professionals across a variety of disciplines to best serve students, clients, and their families. Danci originally grew up in Lemmon, SD before attending the University of South Dakota to obtain both her Bachelor’s (’15) and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2017. She dedicates as much of her spare time to being outside as possible – hiking, golfing, biking, camping, gardening, fishing, or exploring the beautiful Black Hills. If not outside, she’s likely to be found amongst her family and friends, or cutting out lamination.
Communication Coordinator: Rebecca Harvey, M.A., CCC-SLP  Rebecca is a speech-language pathologist for South Central Educational Cooperative in Tyndall, SD. She currently provides services for children from birth through high school in the Menno and Scotland school districts. Rebecca graduated from the University of South Dakota with her B.A. in 2009 and her M.A. in 2011. She resides in her hometown of Tabor, SD with her husband, Chris, daughters, Quinnly and Chandler, their rescue dog, Sakira, and garage cat, Lola. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching the Minnesota Vikings, cooking (and obviously eating), traveling, and working on home projects.
Non-Voting Members CEU Coordinator: Solveig Sperati Korte, M.A., CCC-SLP Solveig Sperati Korte is originally from Wilmington, Delaware. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Religion from Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa and her M.A. in Speech-Language Patholgy from The Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio. After a number of years in Nebraska, she has lived in Vermillion since 1992 and been an instructor at the University of South Dakota since 1995. She has two adult daughters.
StAMP and STAR Representative: Vanessa Anderson-Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP  Vanessa is a South Dakota native who attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and received her masters degree from the University Of South Dakota in 2010. She owns Anderson-Smith Speech Therapy, LLC in Sioux Falls, SD. Her certified trainings include TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy, Level 4 Certification ,PROMPT Bridging trained, feeding specific to Down syndrome, and planning and assessment of sensory motor feeding disorders. Vanessa has also done specialized training in Myofascial Release, Apraxia of Speech, Reflex Integration and Pediatric Dysphagia. In addition to these trainings Vanessa is also pursuing certification in Orofacial Myology (COM®️) and is one of 7 US TalkTools instructors. Vanessa is on the Board of Directors for Wonderfully Made, a Down syndrome family support organization. She lives in her hometown of Canton with her husband Ryan, their son Drake, 2 dogs, and one cat.
ASHA SLP Committee of Ambassadors: Brittany Schmidt, M.A., CCC-SLP  Brittany is in private practice at Autism Behavioral Consulting, LLC and also works for the USD Center for Disabilities. Differential diagnosis, social thinking therapy, and ASD specific intervention and information are her professional interest areas. Brittany volunteered as the SDSLHA Editor for many years and last served as the President of the Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathologists. When not at work, Brittany has a retired husband, three grown daughters and one son-in-law who always make life interesting. Reading, watching movies and hiking are her favorite activities.
ASHA Audiology Committee of Ambassadors: Adrian Aylor, AuD, CCC-A  Adrian Aylor is an audiologist serving a variety of patient populations at an Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic in southeast South Dakota. She is the South Dakota audiology representative on the ASHA Committee of Ambassadors. Through this role, Adrian is hopeful to facilitate communication between ASHA and our state association. Membership Chair: Sydney Volesky, M.A., CCC-SLP Sydney graduated with her Bachelor’s (2018) and Master's (2020) degrees from the University of South Dakota. Originally from Rapid City, SD, she is excited to continue helping the community she fortunate enough to grow up in by working for Rapid City Area Schools as an SLP at one of the elementary schools. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time outside, and traveling with friends and family. State Education Advocacy Leader: Jessica Schneider, M.A., CCC-SLP Jess Schneider, MA, CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist who is employed by the University of South Dakota (Go Yotes!) as a Clinical Instructor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department. Jess graduated from the University of South Dakota with her B.S. in 2008 and her M.A. in 2010. She lives in Sioux Falls with her husband Tim, 2 daughters Lakin and Bentley, and two dogs.
Scholarship Chair: Stacie Carlson, M.A., CCC-SLP  My name is Stacie Carlson, M.A., CCC-SLP. I graduated from USD with both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I have experience working with a wide variety of clients and age groups, but my primary experience has been working as an SLP in an educational setting. I am currently a clinical instructor for USD at the USD Scottish Rite Children's Clinic in Sioux Falls. I love the opportunity to help train future SLPs and still have the opportunity to work with clients! SLPA Representative: Gina Strain, AAS-SLPA Gina R. Strain, AAS-SLPA is a licensed Speech Language Pathology Assistant for the White River School District. She provides services to students attending Head Start through High School. Gina has worked for the school district 22 years with the last 11 as a SLPA. Gina attended Mitchell Tech and received her degree in 2017. She enjoys working with her students. Gina and her husband live on a ranch north of White River where they raise black angus cattle. They have 2 grown married daughters and 6 grandchildren. She loves the outdoors (which you have to if you live on a ranch), likes hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Social Media Liaison: Taya Schmidt, M.A., CCC-SLP
I’m Taya Schmidt, one of the Speech Pathologists for the Brookings School District. This is my 7th year as an SLP, and my first with the Brookings District. Prior to taking on my current role, I was the SLP for Chester Area Schools for 6 years. I proudly obtained my undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Hearing Sciences from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and my graduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Dakota. My husband and I, with our two boys, live in Colman. I’m excited to take on this role as the SDSLHA’s Social Media Liaison. Check our Facebook page often, and be the first to know all of the important Speech and Audiology related information! Oh! And be sure “Like” and “Follow” our page!
Student Representatives Lauren Hanson: Augustana University Lauren Hanson, originally from Helena, Montana, is a junior at Augustana University majoring in Communication Disorders and minoring in Sign Language Studies. She is ecstatic to be the Augustana Student Representative for SDSLHA as she hopes to continue her education and become a Speech Language Pathologist. She is looking forward to diving deeper into the field of Speech and Hearing while listening to the voices of her new SDSLHA peers.
Jessica Sargent: Mitchell Technical College  My name is Jessica Sargent and I am a freshman at Mitchell Technical College. I am currently in the SLPA program with the goal of working as an SLPA while continuing my education to become a Speech Language Pathologist. I am excited to learn more as a student representative and see how my experience as a therapy aide as well as a student at Mitchell Tech will benefit my future patients and my collaboration with other disciplines. I have several years of experience working with children and adults with disabilities and look forward to continuing to build on my knowledge.
Ruth Kreutner: University of South Dakota  My name is Ruth Kreutner and I am a senior at the University of South Dakota. I am majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders, and minoring in Interprofessional Disabilities Services and Psychology. My goal is to become a Speech Language Pathologist and work with individuals with disabilities. I am also the President of NSSLHA and Vice President of Best Buddies. I am looking forward to serving as the USD Student Representative for SDSLHA.
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