Faculty & Staff

Myrita Wilhite, PhD, AuD, CCC-A has been an audiologist for over 30 years.  Dr. Wilhite is currently the Chair of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department.  She is passionate about teaching audiology and keeps her clinical skills sharp by mentoring students in audiology and aural rehabilitation practica as well as providing direct clinical services in the on campus Speech and Hearing Clinic.

Myrita is a firm believer in life-long learning.  She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in Audiology from Cleveland State University.  She earned a Doctor of Audiology degree in 2009 from A.T. Still University and a Research Doctorate in Urban Education with a specialty in Learning and Development at Cleveland State University in 2020.

Myrita feels very fortunate to have found her calling in communication sciences and disorders.  She is excited about actively engaging in scholarship, and guiding the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program to fulfill its mission.  Myrita is continually energized and inspired by her clients, students, colleagues and professors at CSU.

Eric Charles Bonilla, PhD. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and faculty member at Cleveland State University with a passion for preparing future SLPs to provide evidence-based, compassionate, and patient-centered care. Clinical and academic interests include counseling in speech-language pathology, neurogenic communication disorders, dysphagia, and voice disorders. He is LSVT LOUD certified and has particular expertise in working with individuals with Parkinson’s disease, including through therapeutic support groups. Dr. Bonilla also has clinical experience in videostroboscopy and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

With experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, he emphasizes the value of clinical reasoning and counseling skills while sharing practical experiences to prepare students for the complexities of clinical practice. A particular passion is helping future SLPs develop the confidence and skills necessary to address the emotional, psychosocial, and functional impact of communication and swallowing disorders.

Dr. Bonilla's scholarly interests center on counseling competence and interprofessional education within speech-language pathology graduate curricula. His research examining counseling apprehension among speech-language pathology students has been presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) conferences. Additional scholarly work has examined the benefits of peer mentorship among graduate speech-language pathology professionals and has been featured in The ASHA Leader. Through teaching, clinical practice, and scholarship, Dr. Bonilla is committed to advancing the preparation and professional development of speech-language pathologists and promoting holistic, patient-centered care.

Violet O. Cox Ph.D., MLS, CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department. Since joining CSU in 1994, she has taught neurogenic communication disorders courses at the graduate level and Anatomy and Physiology at the undergraduate level. She has mentored graduate students in their Master’s thesis research.

Dr. Cox has authored and published articles in local and international peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, Dr. Cox authored the textbook “Rare Disorders that cause Dysphagia,” which was published in 2020.  She has presented at local and national conferences in the areas of Aphasia and Dysphagia. In addition, she has been an international speaker and trainer in Dysphagia. She was instrumental in organizing a study-abroad program for graduate students to Barbados, where she established a “Dysphagia Training Program” at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the spring of 2014. She is considered an expert in Voice and Swallowing Disorders utilizing videostroboscopy and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of the Swallow (FEES). Through her lab work at CSU, students are able to gain hands-on experience in the use of these specialized instruments. She also initiated a training session in the use of the FEES for practicing medical SLPs in the Northeastern Ohio region in the spring of 2018.                                                                                                                      

Prior to her fulltime appointment at CSU, Dr. Cox served as a medical SLP within the Cleveland Clinic Health System in the capacities of senior SLP and Coordinator of Speech Pathology. She also provided consultation services to University Hospitals of Cleveland Home Health Speech Program.

Michelle Dalton, M.S., CCC-SLP is an Assistant College Lecturer in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Cleveland State University. She is passionate about advancing communication access and creating inclusive learning environments that support the diverse needs of all individuals. As an educator, Professor Dalton believes in creating collaborative, student-centered learning experiences that bridge evidence-based practice with real-world application, empowering future clinicians to provide compassionate, individualized, and inclusive care.

Before joining Cleveland State University, Professor Dalton served as a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology specialist with the Stark County Educational Service Center, where she worked with preschool through high school students with significant communication and access needs. She also collaborated with the University of Akron, supervising graduate student clinicians in both on-campus and school-based settings.

Her clinical and educational experience centers on neurodiversity-affirming practices for children and young adults. She is committed to supporting nonspeaking individuals, promoting access to multimodal communication systems, and expanding the use of AAC across educational and community settings. She has specialized expertise in alternative access methods that support communication and academic participation, including eye-gaze technology, switch scanning, head tracking, and other assistive technologies.

Professor Dalton earned a Bachelor's in Cognitive Science from Northwestern University. She then received a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida State University. While at Florida State, she conducted research through the Autism Spectrum Specialization Education and Training (ASSET) Grant, examining collaboration practices within middle school classrooms.

She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed as a speech-language pathologist in Ohio. She also holds an Ohio Department of Education Pupil Services License.

Kelly Hilborn, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an Assistant College Lecturer in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at Cleveland State University. She brings more than 18 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist across outpatient, skilled nursing, long-term care, educational, and private practice settings, working with both pediatric and adult populations. Kelly’s clinical experience includes extensive practice providing assessment and treatment for adults with a wide range of neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders, including aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, voice disorders, cognitive-communication disorders, and dysphagia. Her clinical interests include adult neurogenic communication disorders, with a particular interest in Parkinson’s disease and other progressive neurological conditions. She also brings extensive pediatric experience in speech, language, communication, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Kelly’s specialized clinical training include Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), myofascial release and manual techniques for dysphagia management, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (VitalStim). She is an LSVT-trained clinician and a Certified Dementia Specialist. Kelly has served as a Clinical Education Supervisor, coordinating graduate student placements, supporting clinical education, and contributing to continuing education and quality improvement initiatives.

Kelly is passionate about preparing future speech-language pathologists to become knowledgeable, compassionate, and confident clinicians. She values connecting academic knowledge with clinical reasoning and real-world practice while creating a learning environment where every student feels supported, respected, and empowered to succeed. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes person-centered care, evidence-based practice, collaboration, and meaningful functional outcomes, while recognizing and valuing the different strengths, experiences, and pathways each student brings to the profession. Kelly earned her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed as a speech-language pathologist in Ohio. She also holds an Ohio Department of Education Pupil Personnel Certificate.

Emily Jennings, MS, CCC-SLP has a passion for clinical education and person-centered care. Prior to joining the full-time faculty at Cleveland State, Prof. Jennings worked as a senior clinical speech-language pathologist and clinical educator at Cleveland Clinic - Euclid Hospital.

Her areas of interest and expertise include: acquired neurological cognitive and communication disorders, Supported Conversations for Adults with Aphasia (SCA™), treatment of hypokinetic dysarthria and hypophonia associated with Parkinson’s Disease, and real-world application of evidence-based practice principles. 

As a clinical assistant professor, she currently teaches a variety of foundational undergraduate courses in communication sciences and disorders, as well as graduate electives relevant to medical speech-language pathology.  Prof. Jennings also supervises individual and group therapy services for adult neurogenic clients in CSU’s on-campus Speech & Hearing Clinic, facilitating graduate student acquisition of clinical knowledge and skills.

Her favorite aspect of CSD at CSU is the dedication of the faculty, staff, and students. There is a clear and genuine commitment to engaged learning and student success!

Aarthi Madhavan, PhD, CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at Cleveland State University (CSU), where she directs the Research in Aging and Dysphagia (RAD Lab). As a clinician-scientist, her interest is in applying clinical research to improving management of dysphagia in various populations. Primarily her research interest is in improving assessment and screening methodologies for dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) in older adults and individuals with a variety of diagnoses. Her work focuses on areas of symptoms that may be related to swallowing that contribute to the onset or worsening of dysphagia. Dr. Madhavan’s work has been federally funded by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

Dr. Madhavan has worked as a clinical speech pathologist in medical centers since 2008 and earned her doctorate from the University of Florida in 2016. Beyond her research work, Dr. Madhavan is committed to mentoring and developing future SLPs and researchers in the field. 

Nydia (Abi) Mendez, M.A., CCC-SLP is a bilingual speech-language pathologist with over nine years of clinical experience serving diverse populations across medical, educational, and outpatient settings. Her professional interests include multilingual populations, language disorders, and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.

Professor Mendez’s clinical experience includes work within the Metro Health System, where she supported individuals with head and neck cancer undergoing laryngectomy. In this role, she collaborated closely with an interdisciplinary ENT team to facilitate rehabilitation using tracheoesophageal punctures (TEPs). She has also worked in inpatient and acute rehabilitation settings, providing assessment and treatment for individuals with cognitive-linguistic deficits, aphasia, dysphagia, and voice disorders.

In outpatient settings, she has partnered with interdisciplinary teams to complete comprehensive autism and dyslexia evaluations. Additionally, she works with school districts throughout Northeast Ohio, conducting bilingual Spanish-English evaluations to ensure students receive accurate and equitable special education supports. She has supervised graduate students in outpatient pediatric and school-based settings.

At Cleveland State University, Professor Mendez serves as the Online CSD Master’s Program Coordinator, where she supports faculty, staff, and out-of-state students. She also teaches both academic and clinical coursework and supervises graduate clinicians within the university clinic. Professor Mendez is passionate about expanding graduate students’ skills and confidence in working with multilingual populations across all service delivery settings.

Rebecca Mental, PhD, MPH, CCC-SLP, CPH has over a decade of experience as a clinician, educator, and program director, with expertise in stuttering, speech sound disorders, and public health. She has presented nationally and internationally on topics such as early language development as a public health issue and innovative approaches to treating residual speech sound errors. She is nationally certified in speech-language pathology and public health, with a strong commitment to evidence-based practice.

Dr. Mental teaches clinical and academic courses, mentors graduate student clinicians, and fosters connections between research and real-world practice. Her teaching emphasizes critical thinking and collaboration. Dedicated to advancing communication access, she integrates her background in public health with her clinical expertise to prepare future speech-language pathologists for impactful practice.

BS from Syracuse University in Communication Sciences and Disorders 

MA from Case Western Reserve University in Speech Language Pathology 

Teaching EST 575 Practicum in Student Teaching Seminar.  Supervising in the CSD clinic at CSU and observing 2nd year graduate students in their school-based externship placements.

Born and raised in Cleveland.  Worked for UH as part of the Ear Nose and Throat institute for 11 years prior to joining CSU faculty

 Experience in outpatient clinical setting, skilled nursing, acute rehabilitation, and most time in in-patient acute care.  Experience in dysphagia, stroke, expressive/receptive language, cognitive-linguistic impairments.  Served on stroke committee at UH.

10 years of mentoring and supervision graduate students in the acute care setting and acute rehabilitation setting.  This is where I realized this was where my passion was and I loved teaching and learning from students.  

Excited to expand my expertise and scope of practice into the schools and back to working with children again!   As well as supporting my students and engaging them with critical thinking and evidence-based practice to shape their practice as future clinicians. 

Mariam Ricchiuto CCC-SLP is a proud Alumni of the CSU Speech and Hearing Graduate Program. With over 10 years of clinical experience, she has traversed a variety of specialties, including working with pediatric populations in both school and outpatient settings, teletherapy, skilled nursing and assisted living, and currently with adult inpatient rehab in acutecare facilities, when she is not teaching on campus. 

Mariam's teaching approach strives to be inclusive and welcoming to all students, and to ignite the passion and curiosity for each student's unique talents and interests to blossom. She loves discussions about ethical practice and holistic care, as well as the most recent research that is being done to improve service models in the field. 

Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of clinical experience across early intervention, school-aged, and adult populations. She is the co-founder and Vice President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC, and has owned and managed private practices providing comprehensive speech-language services and mentoring speech language pathologists.

Her clinical expertise includes Early Intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Motor Speech Disorders, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Ellen has advanced training in PROMPT for motor speech disorders and is a certified Hanen instructor for It Takes Two to Talk. She has delivered services in private practice, schools, and hospital settings, developed evidence-based therapeutic programs, led social skills groups, and implemented multidisciplinary interventions to support communication, social-emotional development, and functional outcomes.
Ellen seeks to bring this wealth of practical experience to her teaching and supervision, emphasizing hands-on learning, evidence-based interventions, and professional reasoning. She mentors students to integrate clinical skills with empathy, critical thinking, and family-centered approaches. Her philosophy centers on preparing future SLPs to serve diverse populations confidently and competently, bridging research and real-world application.

In addition to her clinical and educational work, Ellen is actively involved in community initiatives, including serving on the board of the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio and co-directing Running with the Cats, a program that pairs high school students with children with special needs to build skills, relationships, and confidence.

Ellen’s contributions to the field were recognized in 2017 with the Connecting for Kids Professional of the Year Award. She resides in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband and five children. Her hobbies include horseback riding, running, and reading.

Jarrad Van Stan, PhD, CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Cleveland State University (CSU), where he directs the Real-world Evidence, Assessment, and Learning in Rehabilitation Lab (REAL Rehab Lab). A clinician-scientist and speech-language pathologist, Dr. Van Stan studies how to improve the clinical management of voice disorders using cutting-edge technology—including ambulatory voice monitoring and biofeedback, voice-controlled virtual environments, and machine learning—alongside the development of theory-driven systems for classifying and specifying rehabilitation treatments. His research aims to clarify what works in therapy, to build clinically meaningful quantitative outcome measures, and to extend the reach of therapy into patients' everyday lives. His work has been federally supported by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and he has lead multiple large multi-site clinical trials as well as national and international consensus efforts in voice disorders, speech-language pathology, and rehabilitation as a whole.

Dr. Van Stan earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from the University of Delaware, a Master's in Communication Disorders from Temple University, and a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the Massachusetts General Hospital's Institute of Health Professions (MGH IHP). Before joining CSU, he began his rehabilitation career as a full-time clinician in acute care, acute rehab, and outpatient settings at Christiana Care Health Systems in Delaware. Then he worked for 14 years as a clinical investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation Center and was an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. He is also currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at the MGH IHP.

Beyond his research and clinical work, Dr. Van Stan is committed to teaching and mentoring students at all levels and has held national leadership roles with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM).

Melissa Volk MS, CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department within the College of Health.

Prior to joining CSU Professor Volk worked 12 years at MetroHealth Medical Center as a clinician. At MetroHealth she had experience working in several different settings including Skilled Nursing and Long Term Care, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Acute Care, Outpatient and an Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. With these varied settings she has had the opportunity to have experience with pediatric language and articulation, autism, pediatric neurological rehabilitation, adult neurological rehabilitation, pediatric voice disorders, adult speech and voice disorders, adult dysphagia, head and neck cancers and geriatrics.

Professor Volk currently is teaching CSD 548 Medical Speech Practicum, is supervising 1st year graduate students providing speech therapy services at a charter school system and observing 2nd year graduate students at their medical placements. Professor Volk’s drive in her teaching is helping incoming SLPs learn the critical thinking skills and application of learned knowledge to real world settings needed to make them competent and caring clinicians.

Professor Volk has a passion for brain injury and has served as a Member at Large on the Brain Injury Association of Ohio for the last 4 years. She has experience with brain injury as a clinician and as a family member. Other areas of interest include neurological rehabilitation, concussion care, voice therapy, head and neck cancer care, dysphagia, childhood apraxia of speech and difficulty with learning to read.