Paul Evitts blends teaching and research to help students succeed

Meet Paul Evitts, a professor in the Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies, who helps students prepare for life after college.

By Megan Bradshaw on August 4, 2017

Professor Evitts provides training on videostroboscopy to two graduate speech-pathology students, Morgan Schmincke (left) and Jordyn Koveleski (right).
Professor Evitts provides training on videostroboscopy to two graduate speech-pathology students, Morgan Schmincke (left) and Jordyn Koveleski (right).

The bulk of Towson University professor Paul Evitts’ research has focused on laryngectomy rehabilitation, including both patients who undergo the procedure and those who listen to their speech. “Much of the literature looks at the effect on patients, but listeners struggle with acoustic differences or speech that may be difficult to understand as well as the physical differences in these individuals,” explains Evitts. 

Eight years ago, Evitts arrived at the university, pleased with the balance between teaching and research.

His work has led to research partnerships with the National Institutes of Health on eye-gaze tracking of individuals listening to alaryngeal speech, and the Department of Otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine where his work has expanded to include the impact of phonotraumatic hoarseness on normal listeners.

Evitts believes his job with students goes far beyond the classroom. “Conducting research, attending conferences, joining professional organizations—these are the types of things interviewers want to talk about,” offers Evitts. “Our faculty reach out to practitioners in speech-language pathology and attend conferences to assess what we can do better in the program. I feel a need to prepare students well for the work world and help them find jobs.”

Learn more about the Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies