Title: Clinic Director and Clinical Associate Professor
Company: University at Buffalo, SUNY
Location: Williamsville, New York, United States
Laura Elizabeth Smith, MA, CCC-SLP, clinic director and clinical associate professor at University at Buffalo, SUNY, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in speech-language pathology.
With over two and a half decades of experience, Ms. Smith has established a distinguished career in education, specializing in speech-language pathology and augmentative and alternative communication. She currently serves as clinic director at the University at Buffalo, a role she has held since 2024, and as clinical associate professor for speech-language pathology at the same institution since 2022. Her previous roles include clinical assistant professor at the University at Buffalo from 2015 to 2022, speech-language pathologist at Aspire of Western New York from 2003 to 2015, and teacher of the speech and hearing handicapped in the Binghamton City School District from 1998 to 2001. She laid a strong educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science in speech-language pathology from Ithaca College in 1998 and a Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from the University at Buffalo in 2003. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, a New York State license as a speech-language pathologist, and New York State teacher certification as a teacher of the speech and hearing handicapped. She also serves as an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) consultant for speech-language pathologists in Western New York and New York State and works as an AAC consultant for the ALS Association.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Smith has made significant contributions to the field of augmentative and alternative communication. Her clinical expertise has been instrumental in educating and clinically training graduate students in speech-language pathology. She emphasizes that success in the profession requires attentive listening, patience, and strong problem-solving skills. She also notes that a solution-focused approach is vital to addressing the diverse needs of clients and guiding them toward improved communication. She also emphasizes that this approach empowers students to achieve their goals and aspirations. In light of her impressive undertakings, she was honored with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Award for Continuing Education in 2023.
Looking to the future, Ms. Smith aims to further develop the University at Buffalo Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic into a state-of-the-art training facility. Her vision is to transform the clinic into a vital community resource that highlights the university’s speech-language and audiological services while contributing to the institution’s goal of ranking among the top 20 universities nationally. She acknowledges that today’s students prioritize life balance differently and supports the university’s mission to adapt clinical training and academic demands to better suit modern learners while maintaining high standards. This ensures the continued production of exceptional graduates who excel in the field, whether they remain in Buffalo or pursue careers elsewhere.
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