Retired Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and Former Interim Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Joyce L. Simpson, Named Grand Marshal at ESU Spring Commencement Exercises

Dr. Joyce L. Simpson, has been named Grand Marshal for both the graduate and undergraduate spring commencement exercises at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania to be held on May 9 and 10 respectively. Dr. Simpson, most recently served as interim dean of the college of education, and chairperson of speech-language pathology at ESU previous to retiring last spring. The graduate school commencement will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and the undergraduate ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. Both events will be held in Koehler Fieldhouse.

Dr. Simpson began her career at ESU (then East Stroudsburg State College) in 1972 as an instructor in the department of speech-language pathology. She was promoted to assistant professor in 1977, to associate professor in 1982 and to full professor in 1990. She retired from ESU in the spring 2007. Dr. Simpson previously served as interim associate provost from August 2004 to December 2005 and as interim dean for the School of Professional Studies during the fall semester 2006. She served as the interim dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance from 1990-1992 and from the summer of 1995 to the end of fall semester, 1996. When she retired from ESU, she was serving as chair of the department of speech-language pathology and interim dean for the College of Education.
Dr. Simpson has served on numerous university committees including the Middle States Task Force, Middle States Periodic Review Committee, Commission for Minorities, Sabbatical Leave Committee, Grievance Committee, Facilities Committee, Scholarship committee, Search and Screen Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee. She has served on the Dean's Advisory Council, the Council of Academic Deans, the Academic Affairs Coordinating Committee, the Provost's Council, and the University Senate.

Dr. Simpson holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has served as an ASHA legislative councilor representing the state of Pennsylvania, and on the ASHA Committee for the Prevention of Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders. She was a member of a People-to-People Ambassador delegation of speech language pathologists and audiologists who visited hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, clinics, and universities in South Africa. On the state level, Dr. Simpson served as the chair of the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association Committee on Professional Preparation.

In addition to being a certified member of the ASHA, Dr. Simpson is a member of the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association, the Northeastern Speech and Hearing Association of Pennsylvania, and the New Jersey Speech and Hearing Association. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society in education. Dr. Simpson was a past president of the Pocono Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, The Rotary Club of the Smithfields, and the Board of Directors of Women's Resources. She has received honors such as the Kappan of the Year from the Pocono Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, the Rotarian of the Year Award, and the Paul Harris Award from the Rotary Club of the Smithfields.
Dr. Simpson earned a bachelor of arts degree at Morgan State University in English-speech, a master of education degree at Pennsylvania State University in speech pathology and audiology, and the doctor of education from Rutgers University in social and philosophical foundations of education. She has earned the Award for Continuing Education from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

Dr. Simpson resides in Pocono Township with her husband, Neal, who retired from ESU after serving as the director of the ACT 101 program, and the chair of the Department of Academic Enrichment and Learning. Their son, Jason and daughter-in-law, Sylvia are residents of San Antonio, Texas.