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Meet CAPCSD’s New Vice President for Online Professional Development: Jana Waller, MS, CCC-SLP

CAPCSD is pleased to welcome Ms. Jana Waller as our new Vice President for Online Professional Development. A speech-language pathologist, educator, leader, and lifelong learner, Jana brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing communication sciences and disorders education.

Currently serving as Associate Dean in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance at Ithaca College and as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Jana’s career has been marked by a passion for preparing future health professionals and fostering meaningful collaboration. A proud Ithaca College alumna, she has held numerous leadership roles throughout her career, including fieldwork coordinator, graduate chair, assistant chair, and department chair.

Before entering academic leadership, Jana spent more than a decade in clinical practice across medical, home-based, and educational settings. Those experiences, she says, shaped her appreciation for partnership, advocacy, and supporting individuals and families as they navigated challenges and celebrated milestones.

Guided by the workplace values of enthusiasm, collaboration, and support, Jana’s professional mission is to inspire change through authentic and inclusive collaboration. Whether teaching, leading, or mentoring, she is dedicated to creating dynamic learning opportunities and advancing effective teamwork and interprofessional practice.

A Longstanding Connection to CAPCSD

Jana’s relationship with CAPCSD began at the 2015 conference in Newport Beach, California, themed Leading Change. She describes the experience as life changing, opening new perspectives on teaching, supervision, and leadership.

In 2019, with encouragement from mentor and CAPCSD leader Dr. Lisa Scott, Jana joined the Online Professional Development Committee. She later served as committee chair from 2023 to 2025, helping guide the development of online learning opportunities for members. Her new board role represents a natural next step in her CAPCSD journey.

Looking Ahead

As Vice President for Online Professional Development, Jana is particularly excited about contributing to CAPCSD’s strategic initiatives and educational programming.

She looks forward to collaborating with fellow board members, committees, and volunteers to expand innovative professional development opportunities that help members navigate the evolving higher education and CSD landscape. Continuing the work of the Online Professional Development Committee while exploring new ideas for webinars and learning experiences will be among her key priorities.

Inspiration from Books and Experiences

Outside of work, Jana enjoys discovering new books, music, and experiences, often through recommendations from her children.

Recently, she was especially impacted by Moving Hearts: Leading Through the Sacred Wisdom of the Horse Called Nokota by Darlyne Bailey, Christine E. Boatwright, Ryan Rose, and Will Strongheart. Another unforgettable experience was night snorkeling with manta rays in Hawaii, an adventure she describes as particularly meaningful.

A Message to the CAPCSD Community

As she begins her board service, Jana shares her gratitude with the CAPCSD community, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve on the CAPCSD Board and I look forward to an inspiring and productive term!”

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Jana Waller to the CAPCSD Board of Directors. We look forward to the leadership, creativity, and collaborative spirit she will bring to her role as Vice President for Online Professional Development.

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