About Laura Bryce Willis
Clinical Professor

Laura Willis is a clinical professor at Auburn University. She enjoys working alongside graduate students to provide high quality services to clients and their families. Mrs. Willis also teaches an undergraduate course introducing students to Speech-Language Pathology clinic and methods in service provision. Prior to joining the Auburn University faculty, she was a speech pathologist at the Roosevelt Institute in Warm Springs, Georgia. Her area of specialty is literacy and adult neurogenics. She utilizes her training in Lindamood Bell programs to improve reading fluency and comprehension for children who are struggling to read. She is also certified to provide Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. Mrs. Willis completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Auburn University. She has presented numerous regional/national presentations, authored journal articles and is a co-author of a professional textbook.

Major Research areas

Clinical Supervision; Adult Speech, Language, and Cognitive Disorders; Literacy Skills

Classes Taught

• CMDS 4580 - Introduction to Clinical Procedures in Speech Language Pathology
• CMDS 4910 - Undergraduate Clinical Practicum
• CMDS 7500 - Graduate Clinical Practicum
• CMDS 7970 - Special Topics: Global Perspectives in Speech-Language Pathology
• LBAR 3910 - Clinical Practicum in Liberal Arts

Recent Publications and Presentations

• Willis, L.B., & Burrus, A.E. (2019, June). Creating a tool kit for clinical success. Presentation at the Greater New York Council of Academic Clinical Educators in Communication Sciences and Disorders convention, Garden City, NY.

• Jones, A.L., Plumb, A., & Willis, L.B. (2019, March). Auditory Processing: A comparison between school-age children born full-term and premature. Poster presented at the Global Central Auditory Processing Disorder Conference in Columbus, OH.

• Jones, A., Plumb, A.M., & Willis, L.B. (2019, March). Auditory processing: A comparison between school-aged children born full-term and premature. Poster presented at the American Academy of Audiology Annual Convention, Columbus, OH.

• Plumb, A.M. & Willis, L.B. (2018). Communication disorders student perceptions of the study abroad experience. Perspectives on Global Issues, 3, 5-19. 

• Jones, A., Plumb, A.M., & Willis, L.B. (2018, November). Evaluating Central Processing (CAP), Language, & Cognitive Skills in Children Born Premature. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

• Willis, L.B. & Piazza, L. (2018, November). Demystifying Grading & Improving Student    Writing: The Development of a Writing Rubric. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

• Willis, L.B., Schall, K., & Piazza, L. (2018, November). Research: CSD Student Perspectives & What Can Be Done to Increase Interest. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

• Willis, L.B. (2018, June). Facilitating interdisciplinary competence through peer review: Making connections between nursing and communication disorders. Poster presented at the International Writing Across the Curriculum Conference, Auburn, AL.

• Piazza, L., Schall, K., & Willis, L. (2018, February). Master’s thesis decision making: Undergraduate perception and education. Poster presented at the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA.

• Schall, K., Willis, L., & Piazza, L. (2018, February). Factors influencing pursuit of master’s thesis in speech-language pathology. Poster presented at the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama Annual Convention, Birmingham, AL.

• Willis, L. B., Schall, K. C., & Piazza, L. (2018). A survey of communication sciences and disorders undergraduate students' research experience and interest in a master's thesis and PhD degree. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 3(10), 11-26. doi:10.1044/persp3.SIG10.11

• McMillan, L., Burrus, E., Willis, L., & Grabowsky, A. (2017). Facilitating interdisciplinary competence: Collaboration between undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students and graduate students specializing in communication disorders. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 28.

• Watts, K. M., & Willis, L. B. (2017). Telepractice: A survey of AuD students pre-and post-telepractice. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 2(18).

• Willis, L.B. (2017, July). Making a name for yourself. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Connect Convention, New Orleans, LA. **Awarded Meritorious

• Plumb, A.M., & Willis, L.B. (2016). Global perspectives in speech-language pathology: A comparison of healthcare in Ireland and the United States. Irish Association of Speech Language Therapists Update, 28-29.

• Burrus, A. Embry, Willis, Laura, Professional Communication in Speech-Language Pathology: How to Write, Talk and Act Like a Clinician, 3rd Edition, Plural Publishing, San Diego, California, 2016.
• Plumb, A.M. & Willis, L.B. (2015). Global perspectives in speech-language pathology: A comparison of educational requirements between Ireland and the United States. Irish Association of Speech Langauge Therapists Update, Autumn/Winter, 34-35.
• Willis, L.B., Burrus, E., & Zylla-Jones, E. “The Process of Career Choice in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology.” Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, November 13, 2015. Denver, Colorado.
• Willis, L.B., & Plumb, A. “Communication Disorders Student Perceptions of the Study Abroad Experience.” Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, November 13, 2015. Denver, Colorado.
• Watts, K., & Willis, L.B. “Would You, Could You With a Computer? The Opinions of Audiology Doctoral Students on the Use of Telepractice.”  Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, November 12, 2015. Denver, Colorado.
• Burrus, E., Willis, L.B., & Zylla-Jones, E. “Integrating Peer Response Workshops to Enhance Clinical Writing Skills in Communication Disorders.” Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, November 12, 2015. Denver, Colorado.
• Truman, J., Willis, L.B., & Burrus, E. “Critical Thinking from Classroom to Clinic: Integrating Peer Response Workshops in Communication Disorders and Speech-Language.” Biennial International Critical Thinking and Writing Conference: Thinking and Writing Beyond Two Cultures: STEM, WAC/WID and the Changing Academy. November 21 and 22, 2014.  Hamden, Connecticut. 
• Zylla-Jones, E., Burrus, E., & Willis, L.B. “Enhancing Clinical Observations by Actively Involving Junior Clinicians.” Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, November 20, 2014. Orlando, Florida. 
• Willis, L.B, Burrus, E., & Zylla-Jones, E. “Reaching Out: Enhanced Training of Graduate Students through Service Learning.” Conference of the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning. October 16-18, 2014. Denver, Colorado.
• Burrus, E., Willis, L.B., & McMillan, L. “A Model for Facilitating Interdisciplinary Competence: Collaboration between Students in Nursing and Communication Disorders.” Poster presentation at the Conference of the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning. October 16-18, 2014. Denver, Colorado. (40%)
• Willis, L.B., & Watts, K. “Speech and Hearing Screenings: Integrated Service-Learning for Communication Disorders Students.” Poster presentation at the Gulf South Summit, March 27 and 28, 2014. Auburn, Alabama.
• Burrus, A.E., Willis, L.B., & Zylla-Jones, E. “A.U. Reaching Out.” Poster presentation at the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association, February 7, 2014. Atlanta, Georgia.
• Willis, L.B., Burrus, A.E., & Zylla-Jones, E. “Observations: Not Just Another 25 Hours.” Poster presentation at the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association, February 8, 2014. Atlanta, Georgia.
• Willis, L.B., Burrus, A.E., & Zylla-Jones, E. “Video Self-Assessment: How do I look?” Poster presentation at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, November 14, 2013. Chicago, Illinois. 
• Willis, L.B., & Zylla-Jones, Elizabeth. Using Video Analysis to Improve Students’ Clinical Skills. Panama City, Florida. Southeastern University Clinical Educators Conference. September 26, 2013. CEUs
• Burrus, A.E., Willis, L.B., & Zylla-Jones, E. “Using Self-Evaluations to Improve Clinical Performance.” Poster presentation at the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association, February 8 and 9, 2013. Macon, Georgia.
• Burrus, A. Embry, Willis, Laura, Professional Communication in Speech-Language Pathology: How to Write, Talk and Act Like a Clinician, 2nd Edition, Plural Publishing, San Diego, California, 2013.
• A. E. Burrus & L. B. Willis “Professional Communication in Speech-Language Pathology: How to write, talk, and act like a clinician, 2nd Edition.” Plural Publishing (previously co-authored by William Haynes and Embry Burrus).
• Willis, L.B., Burrus, A.E. & Zylla-Jones, E. “Clinical Impact on Career Decision-Making.” Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, 2011. San Diego, California.
• Willis, L.B. & Phillips, D. “Integrating Academic and Clinical Learning: Clinical Swallowing Assessment.”  Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association convention, 2010. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Willis, L.B. & Burrus, A.E. “Classroom to Clinic: How Strong is Our Bridge?” Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association convention, 2009. New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Willis, L.B. & Jones, E.Z. “An SLP’s Guide to Establishing Effective Community Support Groups.” Poster presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association convention, 2009. New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Willis, L.B., Burrus, E.B., & Zylla-Jones, E. “SLP or AuD?: Decisions, Decisions.” Poster presentation at the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists and the Tennessee Academy of Audiology Convention, 2010. Franklin, Tennessee.
• Willis, L.B. & Phillips, D. “Experiential Learning: Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Clinic.” Poster presentation at the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists and the Tennessee Academy of Audiology Convention, 2010. Franklin, Tennessee.
• Willis, L.B. “Support Groups: Cultivating an Environment to Comfort and Educate.” Poster presentation at the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association convention, 2009. Atlanta, Georgia.