Karen Engler

Karen Engler serves as Clinical Professor and Director of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program at Missouri State University's School of Special Education, Leadership, and Professional Studies in Springfield, Missouri, with active teaching responsibilities and community engagement.

Her academic credentials include:

• EdD, 2014, University of Missouri
• MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders – Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 1990, Missouri State University
• BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders - Speech Language Pathology, 1983, Missouri State University
• AS in Child Development, 1979, Missouri State University

Dr. Engler's research centers on clinical interventions for hearing-impaired children, specifically aural habilitation techniques for pediatric cochlear implant recipients and family-oriented service models for early hearing loss detection. Her work bridges clinical practice with educational strategy development for deaf and hard of hearing populations.

Her professional recognition includes:

• Faculty Excellence in Community Service Award (2012)
• Public Affairs Spotlight (2011)
• Online Course Development Provost Initiative award (2011)

She has taught graduate courses including SPE 759 (Early Intervention: DHH) and SPE 762 (Speech Development: DHH), while maintaining a decade-long adjunct role (2000-2011) with Mercy’s ENT Clinic Cochlear Implant Team. Her community service initiatives focus on expanding access to hearing healthcare through university-clinic partnerships.