myCSUSM
Meet Our Full-Time Faculty
Alison Scheer-Cohen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Professor, Department Chair, and Director of MS in SLP
Before joining California State University, San Marcos in Fall 2013, Dr. Scheer-Cohen worked as a speech-language pathologist in both the hospital setting and private practice. She was also a lecturer at San Diego State University and a visiting instructor at the University of Iowa. In both academic positions, she taught courses, supervised graduate students in clinic, and engaged in multiple research projects. Dr. Scheer-Cohen's primary research interests include the speech of children with sensorimotor speech and low-incidence disorders, in addition to typical speech acquisition.
Laura Coca, M.A., CCC/SLP
Director of Clinical Education
Prior to joining the faculty at CSUSM in 2014, Laura Coca practiced speech-language pathology at a local community hospital specializing in brain injury rehabilitation. Laura is currently the Director of Clinical Education. She also lectures on topics focusing on the areas of acquired cognitive, language and motor speech disorders in adults. Laura has served as the lead supervisor at the CSUSM Speech-Language Clinic and has led the development and implementation of the Youth Justice Clinic in collaboration with the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office.
Lori Heisler, Ph.D., CCC/SLP-L
Professor
Dr. Heisler joined Cal State San Marcos in Fall 2010; her areas of specialization are in child language disorders and child phonology. Dr. Heisler has extensive years of international clinical experience working in a children's rehab center, private practice and in public schools. Her research interests center around the interaction of speech and language in production processes, improving public education outcomes for infants and children from multicultural and multilingual populations and teaching and learning.
Suzanne Moineau, Ph.D., CCC/SLP-L
Professor and Associate Chair
Dr. Moineau joined the faculty at CSUSM in January 2006 to design, develop and launch the graduate, undergraduate and post-baccalaureate programs in speech-language pathology. Her areas of expertise and teaching are in the neuroscience of communication and swallowing, acquired language disorders in adults, dysphagia, and anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism. Her research interests focus on the nature of acquired language and swallowing disorders, and scholarship of teaching and learning in the field of speech-language pathology. She has extensive experience working as a medical speech-language pathologist in acute care settings, with a focus on intensive care.
Kristen Nahrstedt, M.A., ClinScD, CCC-SLP
Director of Simulation, Clinical Supervisor, and Lecturer Faculty
Dr. Nahrstedt joined Cal State San Marcos in July 2012; prior to that, she practiced speech-language pathology in both the medical and education sectors. Her areas of focus include clinical education, simulation, and working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Dr. Nahrstedt serves as the clinical simulation coordinator, teaches in the undergraduate and graduate programs and supervises the English Pronunciation Clinic. She has experience in early intervention settings, school settings, skilled nursing facilities, hospital settings, academic instruction, and supervision.
Rachel Nortz, M.A., CCC/SLP
BS/Prep Coordinator, Clinical Placement Coordinator, and Lecturer Faculty
Rachel joined California State University, San Marcos in Spring of 2014 as a part-time lecturer and then as a full-time lecturer in 2017. Prior to this appointment, Rachel was a lead public school speech-language pathologist. She also has clinical experience in early intervention, private practice, telehealth and supervision. Rachel's areas of focus are pediatric language disorders, bilingualism, law & ethics, professional issues, and diversity, inclusion, and equity in schools. Rachel is the coordinator for the CSUSM Speech-Language Pathology-Assistant Program. She is also the faculty advisor for National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association Chapter on campus. Rachel received her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from San Jose State University, and her B.A. in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University.
Adrienne Shah, M.S., CCC-SLP
Lecturer Faculty and Clinical Supervisor
Adrienne Shah, M.S., CCC-SLP is a dedicated bilingual speech-language pathologist and proud alumna of California State University San Marcos. She joined the SLP department at CSUSM in January 2022, bringing with her a passion for helping individuals overcome communication challenges across the lifespan. Her educational background from CSUSM has provided her with a strong foundation of speech-language pathology, complemented by her hands-on experience and ongoing commitment to professional development. Adrienne's clinical experience spans across various, diverse populations at a local hospital where she has practiced in early intervention and inpatient acute rehabilitation. Her commitment to improving the lives of her patients is evident through her specialized expertise in pediatric speech and language disorders, bilingual assessment and intervention, cognitive-communication disorders, and dysphagia management. As a lecturer and clinical supervisor at the CSUSM on-campus clinic, Adrienne is excited to support future speech-language pathologists and ensure continuation of quality care and expertise in the field.