Professor, Program Director, Interim Associate Dean, College of Health and Education, Speech-Language Pathology
College of Health and Education, Health and Human Performance, School of Health Sciences
Academic Credentials
B.S., University of Wisconsin- Madison
M.A., University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Ph.D., University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Licensed and Certified Speech-Language Pathologist
Biography
With over a decade of leadership in speech-language pathology and healthcare education, Megan Mahowald, Ph.D. CCC-SLP is dedicated to advancing inclusive, antiracist care. From guiding the vision and management of a large, multi-disciplinary college to establishing community-centered clinics, her work focuses on bridging academic excellence with real-world impact. Megan has received numerous awards for her innovative and inclusive work including the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s Diversity Champion Award (2024), Outstanding Educator Award (2020) and Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor (2015). Her leadership has transformed programs and fostered community partnerships, positioning the next generation of clinicians to make and impact.
Dr. Mahowald is also an accomplished scholar and clinician specializing in literacy education and speech-language pathology. With a Ph.D. in Literacy Education and a supporting program in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Mahowald has extensive expertise in literacy development, assessment and intervention as well as language assessment and intervention. Megan is the Program Director of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program at Marymount University (to launch in 2026) and co-directing Rec N’ Read, a highly regarded interprofessional literacy and recreation program that supports children with reading and writing disabilities.
Other Information
Teaching Area
- Assessment and intervention of school-age language and literacy
- Social justice and culturally relevant education and practices
- Research
Research Interests
Dr. Mahowald’s research interests include applied research in interprofessional settings such as summer camps, preschools and school settings. Dr. Mahowald is also engaged in qualitative research in the outcomes of implementing racially just and culturally relevant academic programming.
Publications
- Scott, R. D., & Mahowald, M. (2024). The Culture Flex: Advancing Social Justice in Educational Speech-Language Practices. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 1-9.
- Spicer, B, Burk, B.N., & Mahowald. (2021). Student Perceptions of an Interprofessional Collaboration in an Experiential Learning Setting. SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education 1-11.
- Burk, B.N. & Mahowald, M. (2021). Rec N’ Read Programs and Services. In J. Hironaka & S. Lankford (Eds.), Interprofessional Collaboration in Parks, Recreation, and Human Services: Theory and Cases. Sagamore Publishing, LLC.: Champaign, IL.
- Mahowald, M., & Rentmeester-Disher, J. (2019). An Exploratory Study of the Impact of Professional Development on Speech-Language Pathologists’ Literacy Knowledge and Practices. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 4(5), 1110-1120.
- Mahowald, M. & Loughnane, M. (2016). Reading Development and Achievement of 4th Grade Hmong Students. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 30(1), 57-73.
- Windsor, J., Reichle, J. & Mahowald, M. C., (2009). Communication disorders in infants and toddlers. In C.H. Zeanah (Ed.), Handbook of Infant Mental Health, 3rd Edition. New York: Guilford Press.
