Board of Directors

MSHF Board of Directors:

Alyssa Eminhizer, AuD., CCC-A (2019-Present)
alyssa.b.eminhizer@wmich.edu
Western Michigan University
Alyssa Eminhizer, AuD., CCC-A is an audiologist and a Clinical Faculty member at Western Michigan University.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and her Au.D. from WMU. She is a practicing clinician at the Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic.  Much of her time is spent seeing patients and supervising graduate students in the clinic. She additionally teaches the undergraduate course: Introduction to Audiology, and enjoys getting students excited about the field.  She is very involved in community outreach and student recruitment, and serves as the faculty advisor to the WMU chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology.  She is excited to bring an audiologist’s perspective to the board.

Lisa Frisk, EdS, CCC-SLP
lisa@afisk.org
Lisa attended the University of Iowa as an undergraduate and transferred to the University of Northern Iowa where she earned a Bachelor of Arts-Teaching and a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders.  She earned an Education Specialist Degree from Wayne State University in School Administration and a Certificate in Autism from the University of Kansas.  Lisa as worked as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of capacities: including, home bound care, hospitals, and public school.  During her time with the Warren Consolidated Schools she worked as a building based SLP, a building principal and a coordinator for the early childhood program.  Lisa retired from public education and is enjoying the opportunity to travel. 

Courtney Halbower, M.A., CCC-SLP (2018-Present) 
courtneyahalbower@gmail.com
Global Psychology Services
Courtney Halbower, M.A. CCC-SLP is currently serving as the Lead Speech Language Pathologist for Global Psychology Services (GPS) and also serving in the role of Speech Education Coordinator for a number of charter schools in the city of Detroit. She received her B.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University and her M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from Wayne State University. Courtney is also a past recipient of the Michigan Speech Language and Hearing Association Scholarship. Courtney is the representative to ASHA serving in the role of State Education Advocacy Leader for Michigan. She also sits on the Special Education Advisory Committee that advises the Michigan State Board of Education. Courtney joined the MSHF board in 2017.

Sherry Kuhn, MA, CCC-SLP, MSHF Secretary
sag.dean@gmail.com
Sherry earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University and her Master’s Degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University. She has served on the MSHA Executive Board in various capacities including President, Secretary and Vice-President for Community and Hospital Services. She has also served as an ASHA Legislative Councilor.  Sherry is employed as a Speech Language Pathologist for Rivetus Rehabilitation at Optalis Healthcare and Rehab Center in Canton, MI (formerly Promedica, formerly Heartland Health Care). Sherry joined the MSHF Board in 2023 and is looking forward to helping promote the Foundation and increase awareness of its work in supporting students.

Brian McTaggart, M.A., CCC-SLP (2021-Present)
brian.i.mctaggart@gmail.com
Wayne-Westland Community School District
Brian received his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Michigan State University. After teaching English in South Korea for three years, he returned to complete his post-baccalaureate studies in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University. Brian earned his Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University. Since then, he has served as school-based Speech-Language Pathologist for a diverse and inspirational group of students. As a recipient of an MSHF scholarship himself, Brian is honored to be able to continue the Foundation’s work supporting others.

Gloria H. Polk, CCC-SLP (2022-Present)
Gloriap1027@gmail.com
Speech-Language Pathologist
Gloria has 30 plus years of progressive experience as a speech-language pathologist, educator, professional development coach, and seminar and workshop facilitator and trainer for organizational effectiveness, diversity, and multiculturalism.  She is a member of MSHA’s newly established diversity, inclusion, and equity committee. She has served as an adjunct lecturer and clinical supervisor at Wayne State University and as a Clinical Supervisor at Eastern Michigan University. Currently, she is the speech-language pathologist at an area charter school. Gloria is passionate about effective communication. She sees it as one of the most important keys to achieving and sustaining change in our lives whether it is in the workplace, at home, or in our communities. In her spare time, Gloria enjoys writing and water color painting. 

Gregory Spray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2021- Present)
spraygre@msu.edu
Michigan State University, Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders
Dr. Spray is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying speech production in typically developing children and children who stutter. In addition to this primary area of interest, he’s interested in examining the relationship between voice therapy and life satisfaction in individuals who are transgender. Dr. Spray received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University, and his B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Western Michigan University. He is passionate about diversity and infusion as it relates to the training and education of students and speech-language pathologists. He previously served two terms as MSHA President where he also served as Member-at-Large Representing Students, Vice President for Membership, President-Elect, and President (2019–2021). Dr. Spray is currently President-Elect for the Council for State Association Presidents (CSAP), a member of ASHA’s multicultural constituency group, L’GASP, and is a Topic Chair for the 2024 ASHA Convention.

John Stevens, JD (2020-Present)
jstevens@mathesonparr.com
Matheson, Parr, Osmer, & Stevens, PLC, Partner
John A. Stevens is an attorney and managing partner of his law firm, Matheson Parr Osmer & Stevens PLC in Troy, Michigan. A partner with the firm for over 30 years, Stevens’ areas of practice includes the representation of non-profit corporations, charities and foundations. His work in this area includes the creation of such companies and for a number of clients, assisting them to obtain 501c3 tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service, and providing counsel and advice in various matters including fundraising and endowment creation. Among the nonprofit entities he has helped to create include the incorporation of CSAP and the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, the latter for which he received the MSHA Distinguished Service Award. He has served on the governing boards of several public charities and foundations. Stevens earned his BA and JD at University of Michigan, interspersed with active service in the Navy during the Vietnam War, followed by 24 years in the Naval Reserve as a JAG officer, retiring as Captain, JAGC, USNR in 1997.

Lizbeth J. Stevens, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, (2006-2012, 2020-Present) MSHF President
drlstevens@gmail.com
Eastern Michigan University, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
is a speech-language pathologist and professor emerita from Eastern Michigan University. She served as the first president of the MSHFoundation in 2006 and was instrumental in its establishment. She remained on its initial board through 2012 serving also as Treasurer. She is a past president of the Michigan-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2005) and received its honors in 2008. Dr. Stevens has served her profession in numerous leadership positions over the years (ASHA Legislative Councilor, President of CSAP, Vice-Chair Michigan Licensure Board) and continues to serve as a site visitor for the Council for Academic Accreditation and as University Giving Program ambassador for Eastern Michigan University for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation. She is very excited to be working again with the MSHFoundation board as the organization continues to work on fulfilling its mission to help individuals pursuing education as well as to support individuals who require services.

Tim Weise, M.A., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow (2018-Present), MSHF Treaasurer
weise.tim6@gmail.com
Retired from Garden City Hospital / Prime Healthcare
Tim received his B.S. and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology at Eastern Michigan University. He is a past MSHA Executive board member including past president with activity in Health Care and Legislative committees. Tim is a past member and chair of the inaugural Michigan Speech Language Pathology Licensure Board. He has had involvement in ASHA governance, networks and committees.Currently he is retired after over 40 years of medically based: clinical SLP, SLP consulting and administrative physical medicine and rehab work.

Tammy Shilling, Ph.D. CCC-SLP (2022-Present), MSHA Liaison
Andrews University, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dr. Shilling is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director at Andrews University School of Communication Sciences and Disorders.  Tammy received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas and her Master’s degree in Speech-language Pathology from the University of Kansas Medical Center campus.  Tammy completed a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction at Andrews University.  Her research is focused in the areas of active learning in higher education, voice prevention and education with teachers and occupational voice users, and the effectiveness of metacognitive learning strategies in health professions education.  Tammy’s clinical experience has primarily focused on adult rehabilitation with areas of specialty in dysphagia, voice disorders, and neurocognitive communication disorders.  Tammy is passionate about creating a learning experience that promotes critical thinking and a heart for learning for all of her undergraduate and graduate students as they prepare to be professionals in communication sciences and disorders.  Dr. Tammy Shilling joined the Michigan Speech and Hearing Foundation in 2022.

 

Past Board Members

Pamela M. Ansell, M.A., CCC-SLP, (2017-Present)
Warren Woods Public Schools

Heather Balog, PhD, CCC-SLP
Balog Speech & Language Center, PLLC

Tamara G. Baubie, M.A., CCC-SLP, MT-BC
Beaumont Health

Kathy Boyer, M.S., CCC-SLP
Children's Hospital of Michigan, retired

Derek Daniels, Ph.D., CCC-SLP 
Wayne State University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Fran Eldis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/A, ASHA Fellow
Children's Hospital, retired

Ellen Fairbrother, M.A., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
Detroit Public Schools, Accent Reduction Inc., retired

Sandra Glista, M.S., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
Western Michigan University Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology, retired

Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP
Global Psychology, MSHA Liaison to Board

Mary Peterson, AuD, CCC-A
Western Michigan University, retired

Kathy Rigley, M.A.,CCC-SLP
Western Michigan University

Katie Strong, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2018-Present)
Central Michigan University