Jennifer Simpson, dean of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions at Central Michigan University, has received the Honors of the Council award from the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD). Considered the council’s highest honor, the award recognizes Dr. Simpson’s exceptional leadership and contributions to the council and to academic education in communication sciences and disorders.
A former president of CAPCSD, Dr. Simpson was appointed to her current deanship in August 2025. She previously spent 23 years on the faculty of Purdue University in Indiana, where she ultimately served as interim head of speech, language, and hearing. Dr. Simpson held several leadership roles throughout her long tenure, including associate head of her department, provost fellow for clinical and professional faculty, and director of clinical education in audiology. With over 28 years of experience as a practicing audiologist, Dr. Simpson focuses her current scholarship on student success, clinical education, interprofessional collaboration, mentoring, and higher education leadership.
Dr. Simpson is a graduate of Western Washington University, where she majored in communication sciences and disorders with minors in chemistry and anthropology. She holds a master’s degree in audiology from the University of Colorado Boulder and a doctor of audiology degree from the University of Florida.