How You Can Help

Because of the current economic situation, student tuition and state support no longer cover the full costs of the first-class education provided here at The University of Arizona. In order to maintain our Department’s top-ten ranking and succeed in our educational mission, we must also rely on the support of our alumni and friends to help us meet our goals in four areas:

Student Funding

Goal #1: To offer $60,000 in scholarships to our students each year.

Goal #2: To create a $2 million permanent fund to provide scholarships for the top 20% of our students.

We want to be able to attract the best and the brightest students by offering them attractive and competitive scholarships. Scholarships allow us to recruit and retain excellent students  and address state shortages in Speech Pathologists and Audiologists.

Infrastructure Improvements

Goal #1: To raise $250,000 for laboratory renovations.

Goal #2: To raise $2 million toward the construction of a new integrated research suite for multiple researchers to work collaboratively.

World-class research by our students and faculty requires state-of-the-art laboratories. In the past decade, building renewal funding from the State of Arizona has declined dramatically, intensifying the need for private, corporate, and foundation support to maintain and improve our facilities.

The complex problems of individuals with communication disorders require multifaceted research in order to find solutions. We envision an integrated research suite where researchers can work collaboratively on the most difficult problems addressing those affected by speech, language, or hearing disabilities.

Clinical Funding

Goal #1: To have two $1 million endowed chairs for clinical faculty.

Goal #2: To offer $60,000 in scholarships for patients who would not otherwise be able to afford clinical services.

Clinical faculty members are critical to shaping the careers of those who provide direct services to adults and children with communication disorders. Endowed chairs recognize the contributions of these faculty and allow us to hire and retain master clinicians. Unfortunately, state support of clinical faculty has eroded over the last decade, creating a shortfall between the cost of offering clinical training and the funding provided for it.

Services for children with disabilities are often not covered by insurance and adults find their coverage falls short of what they actually need. Scholarships are needed to assist many patients or their parents when services are beyond their financial reach.

Faculty Endowment

Goal: To have at least one $1 to $2 million endowed chair.

The Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department has been able to attract faculty who are widely recognized for their research. This brings with it a downside; other institutions consistently and aggressively try to recruit our faculty. An endowed chair will help us both retain superior faculty members and recruit outstanding new faculty. Doing so will perpetuate the success and stature of the department.