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Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders College of Health & Human Services

Meet Us

Department Leadership and Staff

Heather Thompson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Department Chair, CSAD2B Coordinator, Professor

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 2:30-4:00pm, Wednesdays 9:30-11:00am. By appointment at the weblink above.

Laura Gaeta, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Au.D. Program Director, Audiology Graduate Coordinator

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 10:00-11:30am, Tuesdays 12:30-2:00pm, Schedule appointments at website link above
  • Areas of Advisement: B.S. faculty advisor, Au.D. faculty advisor

Darla Hagge, Ph. D., CCC-SLP

CSAD MS Graduate Coordinator, Professor

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 10:15-11:45am, Wednesdays 10:15-11:45am. By appointment at the weblink above

Tonia Davis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor, B.S. Faculty, SLPA Program Coordinator

Photo of Tonia Davis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 10:30-11:45am, Wednesdays 10:30-11:45am. Drop-in, no appointment needed.
  • Specialty & Interests: Tonia N. Davis, PhD, CCC-SLP is an associate professor and licensed speech language pathologist. Research/clinical interests include neurodevelopmental disabilities and pediatric feeding/swallowing.

Ariel Cassar, Au.D. CCC-A

AuD Program Clinical Education Coordinator

Photo of Ariel Cassar, Au.D. CCC-A
  • Specialty & Interests: Dr. Cassar is the audiology Clinical Education Coordinator for the Maryjane Rees Language, Speech and Hearing Center- Audiology Clinic and a lecturer for the Doctor of Audiology Program at CSUS.

Razi Zarchy, SLPD, CCC-SLP

CSAD MS Program Clinical Education Coordinator

Photo of Razi Zarchy, SLPD, CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 2:00-3:00pm, Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00pm, Wednesdays 2:00-3:00pm. Drop-in or email for appointment.
  • Specialty & Interests: Dr. Razi Zarchy is the Clinic Coordinator for the Maryjane Rees Speech and Language Clinic. He worked with deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children in early intervention and the school setting for

David Gleason

Administrative Analyst I

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Nyrill Azucena

Administrative Support Coordinator i Maryjane Rees Center – Audiology Clinic

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  • Location: Folsom Hall Suite 1000 Room #193
  • Phone: (916) 278-4697
  • Pronouns: She/ Her/ Hers

Kaithleen Calitis

Administrative Support Coordinator I, Maryjane Rees Center - Speech and Language Clinic

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Full-Time Faculty

Lisa D'Angelo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor, B.S. Faculty Advisor

Photo of Lisa D'Angelo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Tuesdays 12:00-2:00pm, Thursdays 12:00-1:30pm. Drop-in, no appointment needed.
  • Research: Dr. Lisa D’Angelo has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 35 years in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools. An Associate Professor, she teaches neurological development and disorders.

Laura Gaeta, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Au.D. Program Director, Audiology Graduate Coordinator

Photo of Laura Gaeta, Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 10:00-11:30am, Tuesdays 12:30-2:00pm, Schedule appointments at website link above
  • Duties: Dr. Laura Gaeta is an associate professor and Au.D. Program Director in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Hamid Motallebzadeh, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CSAD Au.D. Program

Photo of Hamid Motallebzadeh, Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 11:00am-12:00pm, Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm and 2:00-3:00pm. Email for appointment.
  • Research: Computational, experimental and clinical research in hearing biomechanics

Aishah Y. Patterson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor, B. S. Faculty

Photo of Aishah Y. Patterson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Tuesdays 2:00-3:00pm, Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm, Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm. By appointment at the weblink above. Please email for availability outside of regular office hours
  • Specialty & Interests: Dr. Patterson is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist with clinical and supervisory experience across the lifespan. Her research includes measuring physiological stress responses.

Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Professor, B.S. Faculty

Photo of Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 1:15-1:30pm, Tuesdays 10:30-11:30am, Wednesdays 1:15-1:30pm, and Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm.
  • Specialty & Interests: She's sole- or coauthored 17 books and made 700+ presentations at the local through international levels. Her specialties are service delivery to English learners and students experiencing poverty.

Soumya Venkitakrishnan, Au.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CSAD Au.D. Program

Photo of Soumya Venkitakrishnan, Au.D., Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: On Leave
  • Research: Translational research that can improve clinical practice both diagnostically and in the area of hearing rehabilitation.

Darla Hagge, Ph. D., CCC-SLP

CSAD MS Graduate Coordinator, Professor

Photo of Darla Hagge, Ph. D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 10:15-11:45am, Wednesdays 10:15-11:45am. By appointment at the weblink above

CSAD Full-Time Faculty

Lisa D'Angelo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor

Photo of Lisa D'Angelo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Tuesdays 12:00-2:00pm, Thursdays 12:00-1:30pm. Drop-in, no appointment needed.
  • Research: Dr. Lisa D’Angelo has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 35 years in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools. An Associate Professor, she teaches neurological development and disorders.

Tonia Davis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor, SLPA Program Coordinator

Photo of Tonia Davis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 10:30-11:45am, Wednesdays 10:30-11:45am. Drop-in, no appointment needed.
  • Specialty & Interests: Tonia N. Davis, PhD, CCC-SLP is an associate professor and licensed speech language pathologist. Research/clinical interests include neurodevelopmental disabilities and pediatric feeding/swallowing.

Hamid Motallebzadeh, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CSAD Au.D. Program

Photo of Hamid Motallebzadeh, Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 11:00am-12:00pm, Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm and 2:00-3:00pm. Email for appointment.
  • Research: Computational, experimental and clinical research in hearing biomechanics

Aishah Y. Patterson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor

Photo of Aishah Y. Patterson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Tuesdays 2:00-3:00pm, Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm, Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm. By appointment at the weblink above. Please email for availability outside of regular office hours
  • Specialty & Interests: Dr. Patterson is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist with clinical and supervisory experience across the lifespan. Her research includes measuring physiological stress responses.

Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Professor

Photo of Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 1:15-1:30pm, Tuesdays 10:30-11:30am, Wednesdays 1:15-1:30pm, and Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm.
  • Specialty & Interests: She's sole- or coauthored 17 books and made 700+ presentations at the local through international levels. Her specialties are service delivery to English learners and students experiencing poverty.

Soumya Venkitakrishnan, Au.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CSAD Au.D. Program

Photo of Soumya Venkitakrishnan, Au.D., Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: On Leave
  • Research: Translational research that can improve clinical practice both diagnostically and in the area of hearing rehabilitation.

Part-Time Faculty

Joseph Arata, M.S., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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Sumner Blanchard, Ph.D. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Specialty & Interests: Specialty and Interests: Aphasia, Cognitive-Linguistic Disorders, Dysphonia, Dysphagia, Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis, Videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation, Nasendoscopy

Traci Bean, M.A. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Thursdays 5:00-5:45 PM via Zoom. Email or TEAMS message for appointment.

Alix Bowen, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Specialty & Interests: No course assignments for Spring 2025.

Jennifer Brickley, M.A., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 12:00-1:00pm, Wednesdays 12:30-1:30pm. By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.

Shauna Brown, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Specialty & Interests: No course assignments for Spring 2025.

Nancy Castignetti, M.Ed., MS, CCC-SLP

Adjunct (Volunteer) Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.
  • Specialty & Interests: Mentor/Clinical Supervisor for Leadership Educational in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program

Lauren Cook, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Fridays 1:30-3:30 PM online via TEAMS. Email or TEAMS message for appointment.

Autumn Dalton, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Specialty & Interests: No course assignments for Spring 2025.

Lisa D'Angelo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor

Photo of Lisa D'Angelo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Tuesdays 12:00-2:00pm, Thursdays 12:00-1:30pm. Drop-in, no appointment needed.
  • Research: Dr. Lisa D’Angelo has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 35 years in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools. An Associate Professor, she teaches neurological development and disorders.

Alicia Fletcher, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Alicia Fletcher, M.S. CCC-SLP
  • Location: Folsom Hall 2000 Cubicle C
  • Phone: (916) 278-4867
  • Specialty & Interests: No course assignments for Spring 2025.

Sean Green, M.S., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Email Instructor to schedule.

Keith Haberstock, M.S., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 3:00-4:00pm. Email Instructor to schedule.

Stephanie Jacobson, M.A., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Stephanie Jacobson, M.A., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.
  • Specialty & Interests: Stephanie is a bilingual adult medical SLP with experience in acute care, home health, mobile FEES, & telehealth settings. Expertise includes dysphagia, critical care, & head/neck cancer management.

Kelly Louney, M.S., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Thursdays 3:00-4:30pm, Fridays 12:00-1:30pm, and by appt.

Paige Mains, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Paige Mains, M.S. CCC-SLP
  • Location: Folsom Hall 2000 Cubicle C
  • Phone: (916) 278-4867
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.

Marcella Mojibi

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.

Donna Northcutt, M.S., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.
  • Specialty & Interests: Donna is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with clinical, administrative, and supervisory experience in a wide variety of settings including medical, private practice, and education

Karen Oakley, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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Gabriel Plaza-Garcia, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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Aathirai Sharma, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Aathirai Sharma, M.S. CCC-SLP
  • Location: Folsom Hall 2000 Cubicle D
  • Phone: (916) 278-4867

Juan Vazquez, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Juan Vazquez, M.S. CCC-SLP
  • Location: Folsom Hall 2000 Cubicle A
  • Phone: (916) 278-4867
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.

Kathryn Vigil, M.S., CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Kathryn Vigil, M.S., CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.
  • Specialty & Interests: I enjoy mentoring students in the Maryjane Rees Language Speech and Hearing Center at CSUS. It's my way of giving back and collaborating with future clinicians in the field of speech pathology.

Molly Walker, M.S. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment only.

Kristin Weitz, M.Ed. CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: By appointment. Email Instructor to schedule.
  • Specialty & Interests: Kristen has a variety of experience including working in multiple private practices, leadership/management, rehabilitation hospital, adjunct professor, and running her own private practice.

Doctor of Audiology Full-Time Faculty

Ariel Cassar, Au.D. CCC-A

AuD Program Clinical Education Coordinator

Photo of Ariel Cassar, Au.D. CCC-A
  • Duties: Dr. Cassar is the audiology Clinical Education Coordinator for the Maryjane Rees Language, Speech and Hearing Center- Audiology Clinic and a lecturer for the Doctor of Audiology Program at CSUS.

Stephanie Cate, Au.D.

CSAD Doctor of Audiology Program Part-Time Faculty

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  • Specialty & Interests: Patient-focused clinical audiologist with passion for aiding patient and their families through diagnostics and treatment of hearing and balance disorders.

Laura Gaeta, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Au.D. Program Director, Audiology Graduate Coordinator

Photo of Laura Gaeta, Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 10:00-11:30am, Tuesdays 12:30-2:00pm, Schedule appointments at website link above
  • Duties: Dr. Laura Gaeta is an associate professor and Au.D. Program Director in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Leigh Ann Higa, Ph.D.

CSAD Doctor of Audiology Program Part-Time Faculty

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  • Specialty & Interests: Pediatric Audiologist at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. Part time faculty and clinical supervisor at CSUS.

Kelly Miller, Au.D

CSAD Doctor of Audiology Program Part-Time Faculty

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  • Specialty & Interests: Pediatric Audiologist at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. Part time faculty and clinical supervisor at CSUS.

Hamid Motallebzadeh, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CSAD Au.D. Program

Photo of Hamid Motallebzadeh, Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 11:00am-12:00pm, Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm and 2:00-3:00pm. Email for appointment.
  • Research: Computational, experimental and clinical research in hearing biomechanics

Mary Lo THomas, Pharm.D.

CSAD Doctor of Audiology Program Part-Time Faculty

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  • Office Hours: Fall only. No course load spring and summer sessions.
  • Specialty & Interests: I graduated from Univeristy of the Pacific in 2005 with my Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree. I am currently a pharmacy manager at Safeway Pharmacy.

Soumya Venkitakrishnan, Au.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CSAD Au.D. Program

Photo of Soumya Venkitakrishnan, Au.D., Ph.D.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: on leave
  • Research: Translational research that can improve clinical practice both diagnostically and in the area of hearing rehabilitation.

Tracy Volkman, Au.D.

CSAD Doctor of Audiology Program Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Tracy Volkman, Au.D.
  • Location: Folsom Hall 2000 Cubicle B
  • Phone: (916) 278-4697
  • CV / Bio

Kenneth Wood, Au.D.

CSAD Doctor of Audiology Program Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Kenneth Wood, Au.D.
  • Location: Folsom Hall 2000 Cubicle C
  • Phone: (916) 278-4697
  • CV / Bio

Razi Zarchy, SLPD, CCC-SLP

CSAD Part-Time Faculty

Photo of Razi Zarchy, SLPD, CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 2:00-3:00pm, Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00pm, Wednesdays 2:00-3:00pm. Drop-in or email for appointment.
  • Specialty & Interests: Razi Zarchy worked with deaf and hard of hearing children in the schools ages birth to 18 for 12 years. He is now a lecturer in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Deaf Studies.

Claudine Buglisi, Au.D.

CSAD Doctor of Audiology Program Part-Time Faculty

Place holder image for faculty/staff member.
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00-1:30pm via zoom.

Maryjane Rees Center Faculty and Staff

Razi Zarchy, SLPD, CCC-SLP

Maryjane Rees Language, Speech and Hearing Center Clinic Coordinator

Photo of Razi Zarchy, SLPD, CCC-SLP
  • Office Hours: Fall 2025: Mondays 2:00-3:00pm, Tuesdays 1:00-2:00pm, Wednesdays 2:00-3:00pm.
  • Duties: Dr. Zarchy is the clinic coordinator for the Maryjane Rees Language, Speech and Hearing Center.

Nyrill Azucena

Administrative Support Coordinator i Maryjane Rees Center – Audiology Clinic

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Kaithleen Calitis

Administrative Support Coordinator I, Maryjane Rees Center - Speech and Language Clinic

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Ariel Cassar, Au.D. CCC-A

AuD Program Clinical Education Coordinator

Photo of Ariel Cassar, Au.D. CCC-A
  • Duties: Dr. Cassar is the audiology Clinical Education Coordinator for the Maryjane Rees Language, Speech and Hearing Center- Audiology Clinic and a lecturer for the Doctor of Audiology Program at CSUS.

Adjunct (Volunteer) Faculty

Stephanie Rivera Tran

Adjunct (Volunteer) Faculty

Photo of Stephanie Rivera Tran
  • Duties: Clinical Fellowship (CF) SLP trainee in the Leadership Educational in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. 2024-2025

Varun Varadarajan

Adjunct (Volunteer) Faculty

Photo of Varun Varadarajan
  • Location: Folsom Hall room 2316
  • Specialty & Interests: Dr. Varun Varadarajan, MD is a Neurotologist and Skull Base Surgeon with Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat
Total Members: 65