Professor

Darci Becker, PhD

Dr. Becker joined the faculty at St. Ambrose University in 2009. She also worked as a speech-language pathologist in the inpatient hospital setting for 26 years.

Dr. Becker teaches primarily teaches graduate courses, including Dysphagia, Acquired Language and Cognitive Disorders, & Motor Speech Disorders. She has also taught Phonetics, Health Careers Exploration and served as a co-instructor for Voice and Resonance Disorders.

Areas of interest include acquired, neurogenic disorders, particularly swallowing disorders. Dr. Becker earned and maintained board certification in swallowing and swallowing disorders for 10 years, while employed in the hospital setting. She is passionate about clinical issues, including the delivery of person-centered care and evidence-based practice, in the demanding, fast-paced healthcare climate.

Contact Us

Center for Communication and Social Development

563-333-3925

BeckerDarciL@sau.edu

Education and Training

PhD, University of Iowa, Speech and Hearing Science
MA, BA, University of Northern Iowa, Speech-Language Pathology
Certifications: Board Recognized Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (2011-21), Speak Out Provider, MBSImP Certified

Recent Publications

Becker, D. "Dysphagia Across the Lifespan," Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders, April 15, 2021 (Invited Virtual Presentation)
Finn, M., Nevarez, G., & Becker, D, "Productivity Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Healthcare: The Impact on Therapists and Patients," October 2020 Iowa Speech-Language-Association Annual Convention (Virtual poster presentation)
Finn, M., Nevarez, G., & Becker, D, "Productivity Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Healthcare: The Impact on Therapists and Patients," November 2020 Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled) (Poster presentation)
Becker, D. "Employing Best Practice: A Clinical Review of Dysphagia Updates Across the Lifespan" Quad Cities Speech-Language-Hearing Association, May 7, 2020 (Invited Virtual Presentation)
Marquis, K & Becker, D. "Speech-Language Pathologists' Confidence, Preparation and Experience with Providing Services to Children with Tracheostomy Tubes in the School Setting" Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Des Moines, Iowa, October 16-17, 2019 (Poster Presentation)
Racelis, H, Wagner, A & Becker, D "Job Satisfaction for Speech-Language Pathologists: Medical versus School-based Setting," Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Des Moines, Iowa October 16-17, 2019 (Poster Presentation)
Chaney, S, Schwendinger, A & Becker, D. "The Weekend Dilemma: A Survey Regarding Weekend Staffing and Instrumental Swallowing Assessment Practices", November 2018 Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Boston, Massachusetts (Poster Presentation)
Wehling, P, Cruchton, C & Becker, D. "The Impact of New Onset of Aphasia on Discharge Setting From the Hospital" November 2018 Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Boston Massachusetts (Poster Presentation)
Wilson, A., Rehmert, J. & Becker, D. "Performance on Two Variations of N-Back Tasks in Young Adults" 2017 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA (Poster presentation)
Andujar, J. & Becker, D. "Training and Detraining Effects of a Lingual and Labial Resistive Exercise Regimen on Lingual and Labial Strength, Speech and Swallowing in an Adult with Chronic Dysphagia and Dysarthria" 2017 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA (Poster presentation)
Becker, D., "Evidence-Based Practice: Dysphagia" Quad City Speech-Language-Hearing event, Bettendorf, Iowa, May 25, 2017 (Invited Presentation)
Barr, J., Becker, D., Hughes, B., Kalber, S., Oh, H., Seetharaman, S., & Trujillo, K. "Making Best Choices As We Age," Center for Aging presentation, St. Ambrose University, April 28, 2017 (Presentation)
Becker, D. "Providing Valuable Dysphagia Services in Today's Health Care Climate." Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 2015 (Invited Presentation)
Locricchio K., Schieferdecker, C. & Becker, D., "Modified Barium Swallow Study Research" Genesis Research Summit, June 18, 2015, Adler Education Center Auditorium, Davenport, Iowa (Presentation)
Davis, R, Ponce, C., St. Peter, L., & Becker, D. "Speech-Language Therapy via Telepractice for Two Adults with Aphasia," Iowa Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention, October 24, 2014 (Poster presentation)
Becker, D. & Tews, L., "Dysphagia"(Chapter 54), A Comprehensive Guide to Geriatric Rehabilitation, 3rd, ed., text by Kauffman, Scott, Barr, Moran & Wolf, Elsevier, October 2014 (Publication)
Rohman, K. & Becker, D. "Four Protocols for Eliciting Tongue-Strength Measures Using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument," 2013 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention, "Chicago, Illinois (Poster Presentation)
Kellen, P., Becker, D., Reinhardt, J. and Van Daele, D. , "Computer-Assisted Assessment of Hyoid Bone Motion from Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies," Dysphagia, 2010 Dec 25(4), 298-306. (Publication)
Becker, D., Tews, L. & Lemke, J. (2008). "An Oral Water Protocol in Rehabilitation Patients With Dysphagia for Liquids" American Speech-Language- Hearing Annual Convention presentation, Chicago, Illinois (Presentation)