Julia Fischer

Julia Fischer, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, serves as the Assistant Dean and Head of the School of Health Sciences and Wellness at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), a role she assumed in March 2024 after serving as interim assistant dean since June 2023. She is a tenured full professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, with 20 years of teaching experience at UWSP. Her leadership responsibilities include managing budget, personnel, curriculum, and facilities such as the Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. Fischer emphasizes community-focused leadership, drawing on her career as a medical speech-language pathologist and personal experiences.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1995)
• M.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Virginia (1989)
• B.S. in Communication Science and Disorders, UW-Madison (1987)

Research Interests: Dr. Fischer’s work focuses on improving communication quality of life post-major health events, particularly in aphasia and augmentative alternative communication (AAC). Her research integrates clinical practice with community needs, emphasizing holistic patient care. She has authored 13 peer-reviewed articles, 15 book chapters, and a bilingual (English/Hungarian) textbook Supporting Communication for Adults with Acute and Chronic Aphasia.

Professional Engagements: Active in organizations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (since 1989), International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (since 1994), and the National Aphasia Association. She leads a community conversation group for individuals with aphasia.

Labs/Clinics: Oversees the UWSP Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, where students gain clinical practicum experience. The clinic integrates academic and practical training for future professionals in communication sciences.