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Simpson, Jennifer

DEAN/HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Biography

Dr. Jennifer Simpson began her role as Dean of The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions at Central Michigan University in the summer of 2025. She joined CMU after spending 23 years at Purdue University where she most recently served as the Interim Head of Speech, Language, and Hearing Science (SLHS).

Dr. Simpson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Washington University, with minors in Chemistry and Anthropology.  She went on to receive a Master of Arts in Audiology from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and a Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida.   With more than 28 years of experience as a practicing audiology, she has provided care to people across the lifespan. 

While at Purdue University, Dr. Simpson held numerous leadership and academic roles, including Provost Fellow for Clinical/Professional Faculty (2020-2024), Associate Head of SLHS (2019-2024), and Director of Clinical Education in Audiology (2010-2025).  She taught in both the classroom and clinical setting and has been instrumental in developing community partnerships.  

Dr. Simpson has contributed extensively to service in the field, holding positions on various committees, task forces, councils, and boards. She recently completed her 3-year term as President of the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) in 2025 and served as Convention Co-Chair for the 2023 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention. She currently serves on ASHA’s Committee on Honors.

Her scholarly and professional interests focus on student success, clinical education, interprofessional collaboration, mentoring, and leadership in higher education. Dr. Simpson is a frequently invited speaker at state, regional, and national conferences, where she presents topics related to clinical education, teaching, hearing, and audiology.

Dr. Simpson has been recognized nationally for her outstanding contributions to higher education and clinical education. She received the Special Contributions to Higher Education Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2022, was named a Distinguished Fellow of Practice by the National Academies of Practice – Audiology in 2019 and was elected as a Fellow of ASHA in 2014. In addition to these national honors, she has received numerous teaching awards throughout her career, reflecting her deep commitment to excellence in instruction, mentorship, and student success.

More about Jennifer Simpson

Publications

  • Simpson, J. M. (2025). Embedding evidence-based practice in a case-based course for advanced clinical students.  Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention. https://doi.org/10.1080/17489539.2025.2535980.
  • Bharadwaj, H. M., Hustedt-Mai, A. R., Ginsberg, H. M., Dougherty, K. M., Muthaiah, V. P. K., Hagedorn, A., Simpson, J. M., Heinz, M. G. (2022). “Cross-species experiments reveal widespread cochlear neural damage in normal hearing,” Commun Biol, 5, 733. 
  • Simpson, J.M. (2020).  “Audiology case-based learning and telepractice-An answer to virtual learning in the age of a pandemic,” ASHA Journal Academy Context Blog, Academics & Research. Invited. 
  • Bharadwaj HM, Mai AR, Simpson J.M., Choi I, Heinz MG, Shinn-Cunningham BG. (2019). “Non-invasive assays of cochlear synaptopathy-Candidates and considerations,” Neuroscience. S0306-4522(19)30142-3. 
  • Krishnan, L.A. & Simpson, J.M. (2018). “Stop the madness. Verify hearing aid fittings! Hope for the future?” Audiology Today. Vol 30. No. 6, 64-70. 
  • Krishnan, L.A., Masters, C. & Simpson, J.M. (2017). “Community involvement and benefits from an international service-learning program,” Perspectives, SIG 7, Aural Rehabilitation, and Its Instrumentation. 
  • Krishnan, L.A., Richards, K.A., & Simpson, J.M. (2016).  “Outcomes of an international audiology service-learning study abroad program.” American Journal of Audiology, 25(1):1. 
  • Hewitt, L. & Simpson, J.M. (2016). “Role of undergraduate education in communication sciences and disorders,” Access Academics & Research newsletter.  Invited article. 
  • Shames, Y. & Simpson, J. M. (2012).  “Audiology’s struggle for independence,” The Hearing Journal, 65, 5, 26-30. 
  • Krishnan, L. A., McCarthy, M., LeBlanc, V., Salazar, N., Van Hyfte, S., Simpson, J.M. (2012). “An unexpected solution brings hearing healthcare to the underserved,” The Hearing Review. 65, 3. 
  • Simpson, J. M. & Subramanian, A. (2011). “Promotion and clinical faculty in speech language pathology and audiology, “Perspectives on Administration and Supervision, (21) 79-86. 
  • Simpson, J.M. (2011).  “Teaching audiology practice management.”  Audiology Today, 23, 4, 50-55. 
  • Simpson, J.M. & Corbin, K.R. (2010). “Audiology: Purdue University and the Indiana University School of Medicine joint doctor of audiology program: Administration of the 4th year clinical experience,” Perspectives on Administration and Supervision, (20) 76-81.
  • Simpson, J.M., Krishnan, L.A., Corbin, K., Diefendorf, A.O., Novak, R.E., Miyamoto, R.T., (2009).  “A model AuD program: Ensuring comprehensive clinical audiology education for all students.” Audiology Today, (21) 4, 38-43. 
  • Simpson, J.M. & Van Hyfte, S. (2007).  “Effects of hearing loss on children,” UTS Training Times, 3(4),4-8.

 Invited Presentations (last 7 years):

  • Simpson, J.M. & Bamdad, M.G. (April 2024).  “Motivating Your Team,” Council of Academic Programs in Communication Disorders (CAPCSD).  Atlanta, GA. Invited.  
  • Simpson, J.M. (2024).  “CAPCSD President Address,” Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders, New Orleans, LA.
  • Simpson, J. M. & Farquharson, K. (2023).  “Co-Chair’s Opening Session,” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Boston, MA.  
  • Simpson, J.M. (2023).  “The State of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids,” New York State Speech, Language, and Hearing Association.  Saratoga Springs, NY. Invited.  
  • DiLollo, A., Simpson, J.M., & Lister, J.J. (2023). “Undergraduate Preparation for CSD Graduate Education”.  Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Orlando, FL. Invited.  
  • Simpson, J.M. & Subramanian, A. (2022). “Supporting Student Success in the Remediation Process”, Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Conference. Portland, OR. Invited. 
  • Simpson, J. M (2022). “Problem Solving and Information Exchange for AuD Clinic Directors: A Facilitated Conversation about Audiology Externships”, Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Conference. Portland, OR. Invited. 
  • Simpson, J.M. and Schober-Peterson, D. (2020).  Problem Solving and Information Exchange-Clinic Directors 201 CAPCSD.  New Orleans, LA (canceled due to COVID-19). Invited talk.   
  • Krishnan, L.A., Simpson, J.M., Hubertz, J. (Sept 25, 2019). Grand Rounds-Hearing Aids.  Invited live webinar.  Audiology Online.   
  • Scott, L. & Simpson, J. M. (2019).  Intervention Plans in Communication Sciences. 1 ½ oral presentation at CAPSCD, San Diego, CA invited. 
  • Simpson, J.M. & Staltari, C. (April 2018), Problem Solving and Information Exchange-Clinic Directors 101, CAPCSD, Austin, TX.
  • Parham, D.F., Simpson, J.M., Fleming, V.B. (April 2018). Leadership Academy Problem Solving and Information Exchange, CAPCSD.  Austin, TX.

Peer-Reviewed Presentations (last 7 years):

  • Sivasankar, P. & Simpson, J. M. (2023). “Creating and Sustaining Effective Faculty Mentoring Relationships for a Flourishing Leadership Pipeline,” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Boston, MA.   
  • Nidhi M. Fannin, D., Girolamo, T. Harley, J., Mandulak, K., Rivera Perez, J., Simpson, J.M. (2022). “Equity and Inclusion in CDS Academic Programs: Focus on Instruction and Scholarship”, Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Conference. Portland, OR. 
  • Simpson, J.M., Alexander, D., Liu, Y., Pitts, D. & Masters, C. (2020).  Discovering Pathways to Volunteer Leadership.  ASHA San Diego, CA (canceled due to COVID-19).
  • Davis-McFarland, E., Simpson, J.M., Newman, W. (2019).  Don’t Get Lost in Leadership.  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Oral presentation. Orlando, FL. 
  • Smiley, D. et al. (2019).  Asha’s Leadership Academy, Leadership Community & Leadership Mentoring Program. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Poster presentation. Orlando, FL. 
  • Krishnan, L.A. & Simpson, J.M. (2019).  Classroom to Clinic for Undergraduate Students: Building Audiology Clinical Skills. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Poster presentation. Orlando, FL. 
  • Mai, Alexandra, Flesher, B., Dougherty, K., Hagedorn, A., Simpson, J.M., Heinz, M. G., Bharadwaj, H. (2019). Physiological assays of suprathreshold hearing are consistent with widespread deafferentation of the human auditory periphery.  Acoustic Society of America, Louisville, KY. 
  • Mai, Alexandra, Ginsberg, H., Dougherty, K., Flesher, B., Parida, S., Simpson, J.M., Heinz, MG, Bharadwaj, H. (2019).  Physiological assays of suprathreshold hearing are consistent with widespread deafferentation of the cochlea. International Hearing loss Conference.  Ontario, Canada. 
  • Mai, A., Simpson, J.M., Flesher, B., Heinz, M.G., Bharadwaj, H. (2018). Effects of acoustic overexposure on the human auditory system-measurements in a clinical setting. Association for Research in Otolaryngology.  San Diego, CA.
  • Flesher, B., Mai, A., Dougherty, K., Simpson, J.M., Heinz, M.G., Bharadwaj, H.M. (2018). Perceptual Consequences of Cochlear Synaptopathy in Middle Age.  American Auditory Society, Scottsdale, AZ.
  • Dougherty, K. Bharadwaj, H., Simpson, J.M. (2018). Non-Invasive Assays of Cochlear Synaptopathy in Humans and Chinchillas. Poster. ARO. Baltimore, MD. 
  • Simpson, J.M. & Heinz, M.H. (November 2018).  Integrative Grand Rounds: An Online Design for Off-Campus AuD students.  1-hour oral presentation. ASHA. Boston, MA. 
  • Van Hyfte, S., Greenwell, C., Klingerman, T., Solomon, B., Simpson, J.M. (November 2018). Educational & Healthcare Externships in SLP & AuD: A model program. Poster presentation. ASHA. Boston, MA. 
  • Flesher, B., Mai, A., Dougherty, K., Simpson, J.M., Heinz, M.G., Bharadwaj, H.M. (2018). Perceptual Consequences of Cochlear Synaptopathy in Middle Age.  American Auditory Society, Scottsdale, AZ. 
  • Mai, A., Simpson, J.M., Flesher, B., Heinz, M.G., Bharadwaj, H. (2018). Effects of acoustic overexposure on the human auditory system-measurements in a clinical setting. Association for Research in Otolaryngology. 
  • Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A)
  • Special Contributions to Higher Education Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2022
  • Distinguished Fellow of Practice, National Academies of Practice-Audiology, 2019
  • Fellow, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2014
  • Doctor of Audiology, University of Florida
  • Master of Arts, University of Colorado
  • Bachelor of Arts, Western Washington University
  • Clinical education
  • Teaching
  • Hearing and hearing loss
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • National Academies of Practice-Audiology
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Indiana State License- Audiology