AI in CSD: Panel Discussion with the CAPCSD AI Taskforce

Dr. Bou is a Senior Distinguished Scholar in Residence and the CSD Department Chair at Emerson College. Bou’s interests include higher education administration, academic accreditation, assessment, and compliance, phonological analysis, and treatment of SSD for Spanish populations. Dr. Bou's experience includes academic and clinical administration, research, clinical work, and teaching for the past 29 years.

Dr. Ashley Dockens serves as Associate Provost of Academic Innovation & Digital Learning at Lamar University, leading AI initiatives, online learning, and related policies while promoting ethical AI integration across academic programs. A recognized expert, she speaks regularly on generative AI at national and international venues and recently chaired the AI Taskforce for CAPCSD. She serves on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Learning Technologies Advisory Council and provides AI training and policy consultation to universities across Texas and beyond. Previously, she directed the Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement and the Doctor of Audiology program as an Associate Professor of Audiology, consistently demonstrating leadership in advancing higher education innovation.

Ramesh Kaipa serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. His research centers on developing evidence-based treatment protocols for individuals with neurogenic speech disorders. Additionally, he is deeply committed to advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning, with a particular interest in the application of artificial intelligence in higher education.

Dr. Pitts is an associate professor in the Speech Language Hearing Sciences department at Loyola University MD. She enjoys teaching graduate and undergraduate students and the ocassional supervision. She recently completed 28 years at Loyola and is looking forward to finishing her career there.

Yunfang Zheng, Sc.D., M.D., CCC-A, is a full professor and the Audiology Division Director in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University. Dr. Zheng’s research interests include diagnostic audiology, amplification, cochlear implants, and aural rehabilitation, with the goal of improving the quality of life for individuals with hearing difficulties. She has delivered many scientific presentations at both national and international conferences and has published in internationally recognized professional journals. Her research has been supported by awards and grants from universities, industry partners, and professional associations. She has also mentored many doctoral research projects, most of which have received awards and funding.