We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Katie Jacobson (B.A. ’18, M.S. ’20), a 2020 graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Katie was recently selected as the 2025 Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year, a prestigious honor awarded by the Wisconsin Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WSHA). She was nominated by Courtney Seidel, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, and supported by heartfelt letters from families whose lives she has profoundly impacted.
Katie currently serves as the Department Head of Speech-Language Pathology for the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD), where she provides services across multiple schools and leads initiatives that elevate the quality and equity of speech-language services. Her work spans direct therapy, professional development, mentorship, and systems-level leadership. She is also a Distinguished Early Career Professional recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Katie’s impact is perhaps most powerfully illustrated through the voices of the families she serves. One parent shared how Katie helped their daughter who has a rare genetic condition, go from being mostly nonverbal in kindergarten to speaking in full sentences by second grade. “Katie helped my child better access their education. Period,” the parent wrote. “She is more than just her speech therapist—she is her advocate.”
In addition to her clinical excellence, Katie is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and inclusive education. She has led district-wide professional development on AAC implementation and reflective practices, collaborated with universities to mentor future SLPs, and contributed to statewide initiatives through the Wisconsin Collective for Comprehensive Assessment (WisCCA) and DPI’s “Elite 8” leadership group. Katie’s dedication, innovation, and compassion exemplify the very best of our field. We are proud to count her among our alumni and celebrate her well-deserved recognition as Wisconsin’s SLP of the Year.