Karen Whisenhunt Saar

Assistant Professor 
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, CCC-SLP 

 
Office: Speech and Hearing Sciences, 120i 
Phone: 409-880-8338 
Email: kwsaar1@lamar.edu  

Education 

  • Ph.D., Applied Language and Speech Sciences, 2022 
  • M.S., Speech Pathology, Lamar University, 2012 
  • M.A., German Language and Culture, Arizona State University, 2004 

 Board Certification/Licensure 

  • Certificate for Clinical Competence - American Speech-Language Hearing Association 
  • Texas Licensure - State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology 

 Teaching 

  • Undergraduate 
    Neurology, Phonetics, Medical SLP, Freshman Interest Group “All Things Geek” 
  • Graduate 
    Cognitive-Communicative Disorders, Aphasia and Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Advanced Clinical Practicum, Dementia Friendly Community Engagement (study abroad), & Workshops in Accent Management/Expansion 

Research Interests 

  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in CSD 
  • Dynamic clinical training approaches 
  • Discourse and identity while living with Dementia 
  • Social response to disability 
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration 

Publications (*indicates student co-author) 

  • Byers, B., Bellon-Harn, M., *Allen, M., Whisenhunt Saar, K., Manchaiah, V., Hansapani, R. (2021). A Comparison of Intervention Intensity and Service Delivery Models with School-Age Children with Speech Sound Disorders in a School Setting. Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, 52(3), 1-13. DOI: 10.1044/2020_LSHSS-20-00057 
  • Whisenhunt Saar, K. & Bellon-Harn, M. (2019). Accent Modification. In J.S. Damico & M.J. Ball (Eds), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders (7-8). Sage Publications, Inc. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483380810.n8.  
  • Whisenhunt Saar, K., Bellon-Harn, M., Manchaiah, V., & *Higgins, D.E. (2016). Effects of an Accent Management Program on Intelligibility of Non-Native Speakers of American English. International Journal of Speech & Language Pathology and Audiology, 4, 74-85. DOI: 10.12970/2311-1917.2016.04.02.5 

Peer-Reviewed Presentations (*indicates student co-presenter) 

  • Whisenhunt Saar, K., Damico, H., Nelson, R., Arrington, L., Scales, A. (2022). Student Expressions of Learning via Study Abroad in CSD. [Technical research presentation]. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), New Orleans, LA. 
  • Azios, M., Irani, F., Swartz, E., *Cauthen, E., *Watson-Love, T., & Whisenhunt Saar, K. (2022). The Experience of Cinematherapy as Told by Adults Who Stutter. [Poster presentation]. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), New Orleans, LA. 
  • Byers, B., Bellon-Harn, M., *Allen, M., & Whisenhunt Saar, K., (2020). A comparison of treatment intensity on speech sound production with students with articulation disorders. [Presentation proposal accepted].  Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), San Diego, CA (Convention canceled). 
  • Azios, J., Nelson, R., Percle, A., Arrington, L., Damico, H., Damico, J.S., & Whisenhunt Saar, K. (2019). Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study: Through the Eyes of Students. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Orlando, FL. 
  • Whisenhunt Saar, K., Dockens, A., & Byers, B. (2018) Cultivating Empathy through Study Abroad. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Boston, MA. 
  • Whisenhunt Saar, K., Azios, J., Bronson, D., & Buegge, G. (2017). Reflections of Study Abroad and the Expanded CSD Classroom. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Los Angeles, CA. 
  • Azios, J., Archer, B., Whisenhunt Saar, K., Damico, J.S., & Bronson, D. (2017). Singing as an Interactional Resource: Evidence from Conversational Analysis. [Poster presentation]. Texas Speech and Hearing Association (TSHA) Convention, Austin, TX. 
  • *Bermudez, S., *Figlia, J., *Hebert, H., Azios, J., Whisenhunt Saar, K., & Long, E. (2017). Development of an Observer Tool for Evaluating Communication Strategies in Persons with Dementia. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Los Angeles, CA.  
  • Bronson, D., Whisenhunt Saar, K., & Dockens, A.  (2017). “Do SLPs Feel They Successfully Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance?” [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Los Angeles, CA.   
  • Whisenhunt Saar, K., Villate, V., Bellon-Harn, M., & Bronson, D. (2016). Can Mindfulness Decrease Stress and Increase Empathy of Pre-Service Clinicians? [1-hour presentation]. Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX.  
  • Whisenhunt Saar, K., *Steele, D., Bellon-Harn, M., & Radhakrishnan, N. (2015). Accent Management: Outcomes of a Segmental & Suprasegmental Training Program. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Denver, CO. 
  • Whisenhunt Saar, K., Bellon-Harn, M., Watson, G., Harn, W., & Radhakrishnan, N. (2013). Initiating collaboration: Perspectives from an SLP in her Clinical Fellowship Year. [Poster presentation]. Annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Chicago, IL. 

Invited Presentations  

  • Major Neurocognitive Impairment and Long-Term Residential Care: Indirect Care Planning and the Role of the SLP. The University of Southern Mississippi, SHS 516 Adult Neurogenic Disorders. April 12, 2022.  
  • Qualitative Research: A Quick Look. Lamar University, Honors 4364 Info Eval: Conspiracy Theories. January 30, 2022. 
  • Accent Modification: TOOLS for versatility in communication. Lamar University College of Engineering, Communication and Ethics Course. October 20, 2017. 
  • Accent Modification: background information and hands-on workshop. Lamar University College of Engineering Faculty. April 28, 2016. 
  • Service Learning. Lamar University SMART Program Presentation. March 13, 2015. 
  • Communication Qualities that Maximize Effective Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Southeast Texas Speech and Hearing Association. September 4, 2014 

Professional Organization Memberships 

  • American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) 
  • Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association (TSHA) 
  • Southeast Texas Speech and Hearing Association (SETSHA) 
  • Southeastern University Clinical Educators (SEUCE) 
  • Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, Beta Xi chapter  
  • Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)  
  • Association for Anthropology, Gerontology, and the Life Course (AAGE)