Shared values and bold vision: Why Jaime Bauer Malandraki Chose Illinois’ Department of Speech and Hearing Science 

When Jaime Bauer Malandraki began considering the next chapter of her career, she wasn’t simply looking for a new job. She was searching for an academic home, an institution whose values aligned with her own and where she could build innovative clinical and research programs for years to come. She found that match at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, within the Department of Speech and Hearing Science.

“As we researched Illinois, I felt strongly that the values throughout the university, college and department closely align with my own,” said Bauer Malandraki, a clinical professor in SHS. “These include a strong commitment to student success, accessibility and the importance of diverse representation at all levels.”

For Bauer Malandraki, shared values are not a talking point—they are foundational to her work as a clinical educator and researcher. She believes that being part of an institution she can take pride in is essential to fostering a healthy, productive environment. At Illinois, she saw a campuswide culture that prioritizes inclusion, transparency and growth.

That alignment was especially important as she thought about the work she wants to be doing over the next five to 10 years. A specialist in swallowing disorders and aerodigestive sciences, Bauer Malandraki envisions expanding both educational and clinical opportunities for students while deepening community engagement and research in her field.

“I believe Illinois and the Department of Speech and Hearing Science offer an ideal setting for exploring innovative ways to engage students and the community,” she said.

Clinically, she sees room to grow programming around swallowing disorders, an area of speech-language pathology that intersects with complex medical care. That growth, she says, can happen in multiple directions: expanding hands-on training, strengthening research initiatives and building broader partnerships that increase the department’s medical footprint.

She is particularly eager to collaborate with colleagues in her home department to enhance clinical training in aerodigestive sciences. But her ambitions stretch beyond departmental lines. Illinois’ breadth as a major research university creates opportunities to work across disciplines, collaborations she hopes will broaden the medical scope of speech-language pathology training on campus.

The department’s culture has reinforced her confidence that Illinois was the right choice. Bauer Malandraki describes it as collegial and supportive, with a shared focus on sustainable growth and meaningful impact.

“There is an atmosphere of positivity and potential,” she said. “It makes it exciting to be part of.”

She also points to leadership style as a distinguishing feature. Compared with previous institutions—Bauer Malandraki most recently taught at Purdue University—she finds Illinois’ leadership approachable and engaged with an emphasis on transparent communication.

“Culturally, this helps foster a sense that we’re all in this together,” she said. That sense of shared purpose resonates deeply with her, particularly during what she describes as a time of transition and reimagining in higher education.

Innovation in teaching is another draw. Bauer Malandraki is eager to experiment with new ways of preparing graduate students for careers in medical speech-language pathology. While traditional hands-on clinical experiences in swallowing disorders remain central, she is interested in incorporating telehealth applications and simulated or virtual reality clinical experiences to expand access and deepen training.

She also brings a strong commitment to the mental health and well-being of helping professionals. In addition to her clinical specialty, she hopes to develop an undergraduate course focused on preparing students from multiple disciplines to maintain personal and professional well-being while working in patient-facing roles.

“It’s important that we train excellent clinicians,” she said, “but it’s equally important that we equip them with the tools to sustain themselves in demanding professions.”

Her transition to campus has been marked by a warm welcome. Faculty and staff in the department, along with college leadership, made her feel valued from the interview process onward. Graduate students have also played a significant role.

“They are passionate about their academic studies and clinical training,” she said. “They’re eager to see the department grow further in the medical space, which has been wonderful to observe.”

Outside the classroom and clinic, Bauer Malandraki has embraced her new home in Champaign-Urbana. She and her family found what she describes as a great house in a welcoming neighborhood, and she appreciates the community’s inclusive culture.

A self-described “bookstore nerd,” she quickly discovered The Literary in downtown Champaign, praising its curated collection and inviting vibe. She also loves being in nature and has found solace in walks at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet. 

Like any major move, the transition came with challenges. The hardest part, she said, was the physical relocation and the process of establishing new routines. She relies heavily on daily structure for focus and productivity. Yet she also thrives on change.

“Overall, the adjustment has been a good challenge,” she said.

As she looks ahead to her first full year, Bauer Malandraki is eager to immerse herself in the daily life of the department and college, exploring ways she can contribute beyond her immediate responsibilities. As a specialized faculty member and the proud daughter of a Teamster, she is also interested in becoming involved with the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition, underscoring her longstanding commitment to advocacy and professional equity.

Ultimately, Bauer Malandraki’s decision to join Illinois reflects more than a professional calculation. It represents a convergence of values, opportunity and vision. In the Department of Speech and Hearing Science, she sees a place where innovative clinical education, interdisciplinary research and a culture of shared purpose can come together—advancing not only her own career, but the future of the field she is passionate about.

Editor’s note:

To reach Jaime Bauer Malandraki, email jaimebm@illinois.edu

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