Additional Resources
Learn more about The Blank Center and our mission to change the world for people who stutter. Get started and connect with our growing community.
Courtney Byrd, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the Founding and Executive Director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. She is a Full Professor, Associate Chair, and Graduate Advisor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, where she holds the Dale and Tina Holder Endowed Chair in Stuttering Leadership.
Dr. Byrd also founded and directs the Blank Center’s core branches: the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute, the Dealey Family Foundation Stuttering Clinic, and the Dr. Jennifer and Emanuel Bodner Developmental Stuttering Lab.
She developed the Blank Center CARE™ Model, a strengths-based approach to stuttering treatment refined over decades of research. She also founded Camp Dream. Speak. Live.® and created the When I Talk, I Stutter animated series.
Dr. Byrd has over 100 peer-reviewed publications. She has dedicated her life’s work to advancing understanding of the etiology of stuttering across culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and to improving treatment and training practices to better serve people who stutter.
Liam studied journalism right here at the University of Texas at Austin. Highlighting the compelling stories of Austinites led him to write for KUT, Austin Monthly, and Orange Magazine. After his time as a writer, he spent four years with GoDaddy managing social media accounts for hundreds of local businesses around the U.S. Supporting these businesses helped him grow into a designer and writer who can create content on behalf of an established brand. On days outside of work, you can find Liam singing karaoke from his extensive song list, trying out a new recipe, or taking his dog to Zilker.
Telling stories about underserved communities was at the heart of my storytelling as a writer. When I received the offer, I couldn’t help but smile knowing I would get a chance to create content that inspires and informs everyone about the invaluable work that goes on at the Blank Center. Incredible things are happening all around us, and what we can do best is share that with the rest of the world.
My first day just so happened to be the first day of Camp Dream. Speak. Live. Top of the agenda was introducing yourself to the room. Speaking to a roomful of brand-new faces sucked the courage out of me immediately. After seeing how incredible all the participants were at communicating, I couldn’t help but think they were the ones who should’ve gotten the job! This week alone, I’ve learned so much more from the participants about being a better communicator than in any of the years I spent in classes or practicing presentations. Their courage and skills are contagious, and they’ve shown me how to Dream. Speak. Live.® and accept every part of me that makes me unique.
Marshonntri Austin is our new Assistant Director of Administrative Management. She has over a decade of successful experience in planning events and leadership training. In addition, Marshonntri specializes in providing excellent customer service. Marshonntri enjoys volunteering, spending time with her family, and watching college football. She graduated from Jacksonville State University, the friendliest campus in the south, in Jacksonville, Alabama. Marshonntri believes a smile and positive thinking are vital in making our world a little better.
I chose to work with Dr. Byrd and the Blank Center because, as a servant leader, it provides an opportunity to be a part of the solution by helping others conquer their fears and live out their purpose.
Dream. Speak. Live.® – means taking action to achieve your goals
Andrea Chee, M.S., CCC-SLP is Associate Director of Clinical Research at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. Andrea received her BS from the University of Texas at Austin and her MS in speech-language pathology from Texas Christian University. Andrea completed her clinical fellowship in her hometown of El Paso, TX working primarily with bilingual, Spanish-English speaking children in the school setting.
I was most drawn to the sense of passion that the team at the Blank Center holds for the work they are doing. Everyone there feels like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, all working together to achieve something great.
To me, Dream. Speak. Live.® means to live your life without limits. Everyone deserves to build a life that fits them, in which they are able to speak freely and to go after their wildest dreams.
Para mi, Dream. Speak. Live. quiere decir que uno debe de vivir la vida sin límites. Cada persona merece la oportunidad de crear un estilo de vida especialmente para ellos, en donde puedan hablar libremente y trabajar para alcanzar sus sueños.
Geoffrey A. Coalson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the Associate Director of Research and Grant Development for The Blank Center. Prior to this role, Dr. Coalson served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and as the Founding Director of the LSU Stuttering Lab. Dr. Coalson received his BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders and BA in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin, and his MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. After completing his clinical fellowship in Houston, Texas, he returned to UT Austin to earn his Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology under the supervision of Dr. Courtney Byrd.
Dr. Coalson has published in a variety of journals, including the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, Journal of Fluency Disorders, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Journal of Communication Disorders, and Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, as well as open-access journals such as Frontiers in Psychology and PLOS ONE. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Communication Disorders (2024–2026) and will serve as Editor for the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (2027–2029). His research has focused on the contributions of phonological and cognitive factors to stuttering in adults, supported by an NIH-NIDCD R21 grant (R21DC018109-01A1, Inhibition and Working Memory Capacity in Adults Who Stutter).
Founded by Dr. Byrd, The Blank Center was created to advance our understanding of stuttering beyond the typical narrative and to embrace a bolder vision of the stuttering experience. She and her team at UT Austin have been at the forefront of stuttering research for decades, and Dr. Coalson is honored to join The Blank Center as it continues to refine the role of clinicians and redefine what it means to communicate authentically. As a person who stutters himself, Dr. Coalson sees in Dream. Speak. Live.® the essence of what many children who stutter believe they can never fully attain: to dream, to speak, and to live unapologetically. Creating a new future for these children, one in which stuttering never dictates the choices they make, sends a welcome and long-overdue message to people who stutter of all ages, to their families, and to those dedicated to serving them.
Edward G. Conture, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-FD, is the Senior Director of Research and Grant Development for The Blank Center. Dr. Conture received a Bachelor of Science degree from Emerson College, a Master’s from Northwestern University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Dr. Conture has over 150 publications and presented to over 350 (inter)national audiences. For 40+ years, his clinical/scholarly interests have involved developmental stuttering, with particular emphasis on children and their families. Dr. Conture joined The Blank Center because of its comprehensive, current, and inclusive clinical, educational, and research approach to stuttering, people who stutter, and their families. For him, Dream. Speak. Live.® is an innovative, data-supported means of helping people who stutter, of all ages, do what they most want to do: communicate effectively.
Robyn Albaum, MS, CCC-SLP is a Doctoral Student and Speech-Language Pathologist for the Blank Center. A true longhorn through and through, Robyn received BS in Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Texas at Austin, MS in Speech-Language Pathology at Texas Christian University, and is now back at UT-Austin pursuing her Ph.D. studying under the direction of Dr. Courtney Byrd. For her, being a part of the Blank Center started as an undergraduate student; because the individuals in this community – the people who stutter and their families, students, SLPs, clinical researchers, and staff – are truly the kindest, brightest, most engaging, and empathetic people she has ever met. The opportunity to work alongside these individuals in pursuit of changing the world for people who stutter is one of immeasurable value. For Robyn, Dream. Speak. Live.® means embracing your inner spark, the qualities, the voice, the ambitions, the causes that distinguish you from anyone else in this world. It means nurturing and trusting this spark even when it defies the majority or feels intimidated. It means trying new things and understanding that pursuing your dreams is not always a linear path, and that is okay. But, most of all, it means being who you truly are and knowing that the world will be better because of it.
Elizabeth Hampton, MA, CCC-SLP, is the Director of Clinical Research at The Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research in Austin, Texas. Elizabeth received her bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders from Boston University and is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin master’s program in speech-language pathology. She has had the privilege to learn from and collaborate with Dr. Courtney Byrd since 2006, dedicating her professional career to serving people who stutter and their families and mentoring students. Her outreach efforts and publications reflect her commitment to furthering best treatment practices for stuttering and providing clinicians with the tools and information necessary to confidently meet the needs of people who stutter. Elizabeth has played an integral role in the growth of programming at the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute, the Dealey Family Stuttering Clinic, the Bodner Developmental Stuttering Lab. She is now honored to continue her work within the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. She is inspired daily by the phenomenally talented individuals who walk through its doors – her dedicated colleagues, committed students, and the remarkable participants and their families. Each unique individual she encounters reminds her of the importance of dreaming both big and small, always speaking truth, love, kindness, and living in a way that changes the world for the better.
Caitlin Franchini is a speech-language pathology clinical fellow at The Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research in Atlanta. Caitlin is a person who stutters and is very passionate about working with and advocating for others in her community. Caitlin is passionate about implementing person-focused treatment that builds positive attitudes toward stuttering and confidence when communicating.
Before working at the Blank Center, Caitlin worked as a graduate research assistant for Georgia State’s Stuttering and Bilingualism Lab and as a counselor for the Stuttering Association for the Young. She has also presented about her experiences as an SLP who stutters at universities such as Rutgers and Georgia State.
Originally from Canton, GA, Caitlin graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also holds a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Caitlin loves to travel, hike, cook, and make homemade pasta in her spare time.
Why did you want to work for the Blank Center?
I wanted to work at the Blank Center because of the unique philosophy and person-focused approach that the center has towards treating and interacting with people who stutter. I love that the Blank Center values helping its participants increase their communication skills and confidence, not necessarily their fluency. The team at the Blank Center is truly showing people who stutter all over the world that stuttering cannot stop them from achieving their dreams, and I wanted to be a part of it.
What does Dream. Speak. Live.® mean to you?
Dream. Speak. Live.® reminds me to not let my stutter get in the way of how I want to live my life. People who stutter dream big and can do anything they set out to do, whether they are “fluent” or not. I refuse to let my stutter be a limitation and stop me from living the life I want and being heard.
Lauren Henchey, MA, CCC-SLP, is Associate Director of Clinical Advancement and Development Editor of Dream. Speak. Live. Publications at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. At the Blank Center, Lauren implements the strengths-based Blank Center CARE™ Model in the evaluation and treatment of people who stutter, facilitates caregiver groups, and supervises undergraduate and graduate student clinicians. She contributes to the Center’s research and partners with universities and organizations across the country, including through clinical training and implementation support, to expand access to specialized stuttering care. As Development Editor, she works with Dr. Courtney Byrd to help develop, edit, and package evidence-based training and clinical materials for speech-language pathologists, as well as advocacy and educational resources for people who stutter, their families, and the public.
Lauren came to speech-language pathology after six years in community mental health and alternative education. She holds a BA in English from Georgetown University and an MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Texas at Austin (2019).
To her, “Dream. Speak. Live.®” is an affirmation and a joyful declaration to live life fully and authentically and, in the process, to inspire others to do the same.
Kia Noelle Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is Director of the Atlanta Satellite of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research at The University of Texas at Austin. A nationally and internationally recognized speech-language pathologist, scholar, educator, and Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), she brings more than two decades of clinical experience to advancing stuttering care and culturally responsive practice. Her work integrates research, clinical services, teaching, and mentorship, with particular emphasis on the intersection of stuttering, culture, and identity. She has authored numerous scholarly publications, presented research worldwide, and leads professional training on stuttering, cultural responsiveness, professional ethics, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Dr. Johnson earned her doctorate from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, her master’s degree from Howard University, and her bachelor’s degree from Truman State University. Her professional leadership includes service with ASHA, the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing, and the National Institutes of Health’s National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Council.
For Dr. Johnson, Dream. Speak. Live.® means having the freedom to communicate authentically, pursue your aspirations, and define success on your own terms as a person who stutters. She is committed to creating spaces where children and adults feel seen, affirmed, and empowered to recognize the value of their voices and the possibilities for their lives. Through her work with individuals, families, professionals, and communities, she challenges misconceptions and advances a vision of a world where expectations of fluency do not limit opportunity, belonging, or ambition.
Santa LeSure serves as the Program Manager for the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research at The University of Texas at Austin.
Prior to joining the Blank Center, Santa worked alongside a team of physicians in the Pediatric Neurology Program within the Department of Neurology at Dell Medical School. She brings more than 20 years of experience supporting the development, coordination, and operations of programs and clinical services nationally and internationally.
When asked what inspired her to join Dr. Courtney Byrd and the Blank Center team, Santa shared, “I wanted to continue supporting a team whose work is focused on helping others live full and meaningful lives.”
For Santa, the Center’s guiding philosophy, Dream. Speak. Live.®, carries a simple yet powerful message: “Go for it all. No matter what obstacles you face, pursue your dreams, believe in yourself, and never lose sight of what is possible. You can do it!”
Lindsay received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida and completed her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at Florida Atlantic University. Before starting at the Blank Center, she worked in the public-school setting for over three years, providing speech therapy for students ranging from pre-K to 12th grade.
“I chose to work with Dr. Byrd and the Blank Center because of how closely the program’s mission aligns with my goals as both a person who stutters and a speech-language pathologist. Throughout my lived experiences, both personally and professionally, I’ve learned that one of the most important messages I can relay to another person who stutters is, ‘it’s okay to stutter.’
To me, Dream. Speak. Live.® embodies that message. It means that people who stutter shouldn’t let the way they talk stop them from pursuing their dreams, saying what they want to say, and living their life fully and authentically.”
Laura McKnight joined the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research in January 2021 as Director of Development. In this role, she has the privilege of working with individuals and foundations who want to help change the world for people who stutter through their philanthropy and involvement. Prior to the Blank Center, Laura worked in development at the Moody College of Communication, working with alumni and friends who support initiatives across Moody College, including the incredible work of Dr. Courtney Byrd. Laura’s other experience in development, external relations, and constituent relations comes from her roles at The University of Texas System, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and the Office of US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. In addition, Laura is a proud graduate of the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin.
For Laura, the Blank Center’s motto of Dream. Speak. Live.® means dream big, no matter how you speak or what challenge you may be facing; speak, because communication is how we connect with people – the most essential thing in life; and live, with joy and gratitude.
John Paiz, MPA received his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he also received his Graduate Certification in Nonprofit Administration & Leadership and BA in Psychology. John worked with startups and non-profits before entering the higher education field.
To John, Dream. Speak. Live.® means to not let anything hold us back when we’re working to accomplish our dreams. Developing confidence in your voice and our ability to communicate is a crucial part of reaching your goals, once we have that confidence nothing will stop us from living and achieving.
Para mi Dream. Speak. Live. significa que no dejemos que ningún obstáculo nos detenga cuando estamos trabajando para cumplir nuestros sueños. Desarrollando confianza en nuestras voces y en el modo en cuál nos comunicamos es importante para lograr nuestras metas, con esa confianza nada nos puede para de vivir y cumplir nuestros sueños.
Daniel is an Austin native with experience as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of settings, including collaborations in the medical field and his own private practice, Speech Without Limits. Early in his academic training, he was drawn to photojournalism as a way of challenging himself to approach unfamiliar people and gain the rapport needed to tell meaningful stories. As an undergraduate he pursued a degree in visual communications from the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Afterwards, he became familiar with the cutting-edge research at UT-Austin on perceptions of people who stutter and on new therapeutic techniques. There he was led to pursue graduate-level academic training, where his master’s thesis focused on the effects of self-disclosure for people who stutter. Under the graduate mentorship of Dr. Courtney Byrd and as a person who stutters himself, he has directly experienced the benefits of the Center’s philosophy and training.
Daniel is excited to work with Dr. Courtney Byrd and the team at The Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research because as a central mission of his life, he seeks to contribute to the advancement of stuttering education and research. The opportunity to collaborate with a team that is aligned on this mission to serve a community of people who stutter, train future clinicians, and improve access to care where evidence-based theory is translated into practice is particularly exciting to him. To Daniel, the Center’s philosophy of Dream. Speak. Live.® means that at any age, people deserve to communicate effectively–what’s on their minds and in their hearts, form close relationships, and lead fulfilling lives.
Jack Rodriguez, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and clinical research associate at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research in Austin, Texas. Jack received his bachelor’s in communication disorders and sciences at Texas State University and his master’s in speech-language pathology at The University of Texas at Austin. He has contributed to the Blank Center’s mission both as a graduate research assistant and a licensed speech pathologist collectively since 2022. As an individual who stutters, his passion and drive to help others who stutter has led him to publish and present multiple research articles on the psychosocial aspects and treatment of stuttering nationally and internationally. He is dedicated to contributing to The Blank Center’s relentless pursuit and commitment to changing the world for people who stutter.
To Jack, the Blank Center’s motto of Dream. Speak. Live.® means that individuals who stutter are empowered to live their lives to the fullest THROUGH their stuttering, not despite it.
Juliet Walker works as Educational Media Specialist for The Blank Center. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Florida, Juliet worked as a Post-Production Supervisor on popular TV shows like HBO’s, The Sopranos. Joining the Blank Center team was a career shift, but ultimately, she knew even before she began working here, the Blank Center is a special place.
For Juliet, Dream. Speak. Live.® means being your authentic self, saying what you want to say, and doing what fills your soul and creates a meaningful life, whatever that may be.
Ariah Asrat is the Student Scheduling Coordinator for The Blank Center. Just this past spring, Ariah completed her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as a minor in Health Communication from the University of Texas at Austin. This Fall she will be returning to UT-Austin to begin her first year as a graduate student in the MSSLHS graduate program for speech-language pathology. Ariah wanted to be a part of the Blank Center to build meaningful connections with outstanding individuals and learn more about stuttering. To her Dream. Speak. Live.® means being unapologetically yourself, speaking your truth, and enjoying life to the fullest!
Dr. Danielle Werle, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is Associate Director of Educational and Professional Development at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. She leads professional development and experiential learning for speech-language pathologists and community members, including through her role as the Blank Center’s ASHA Continuing Education Administrator. She also coordinates Blank Center CARE™ trainings and investigates their outcomes for individuals who stutter, family members, teachers, and clinicians. In collaboration with the Blank Center Schools Task Force, she supports outreach and resource development for school districts. In addition, she provides direct assessment and treatment services, arranges and supervises external undergraduate and graduate experiential learning rotations, and helps coordinate clinical research programming across the Center.
Dr. Werle’s research examines treatment outcomes and the stigma and stereotype threat experienced by people who stutter. Her work on stereotype threat includes how self-disclosure and communication competence shape listener perceptions. Her publications appear in journals such as the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, and the Journal of Fluency Disorders, where she serves as Associate Editor.
Malena Pennycook
Administrative Assistant
Doctoral students conducting research under the mentorship of Blank Center faculty.
Rusha Chowdhury is a person who stutters and doctoral student in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin under the mentorship of Dr. Courtney T. Byrd at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English Language and Literature/Letters from Jadavpur University, India. She also worked as a Teach For India Fellow, serving vulnerable communities and piloting a grassroots community project to address neurodiversity in under-resourced classrooms.
Rusha’s research focuses on exploring the intersectional and diverse lived experiences of South Asian persons who stutter and negotiating contextually responsive intervention within the clinic. Through her research and clinical engagement, she aims to facilitate systems change and a shift from fluency-focused strategies to stuttering-affirming approaches in South Asian contexts. Her vision is to help create inclusive communicative environments.
For Rusha, Dream. Speak. Live.® is the north star that makes it possible for a person who stutters to embody their truth unapologetically. It signifies communication that transcends limited societal boundaries, and radical self-knowledge and self-love that enables one to live with purpose and an endless sense of possibility.
Valerie Gorsky, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist and doctoral student in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin under the mentorship of Dr. Courtney Byrd at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. Valerie received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Seton Hall University.
Valerie’s research focuses on the lived experiences of speech-language pathologists who stutter, with an emphasis on identity, disclosure, belonging, and the social impact of stuttering. Through her research and clinical work, she is committed to advancing stuttering-affirming care and promoting broader understanding and acceptance of stuttering. She is grateful to be part of the Blank Center’s mission of advocacy, community engagement, and celebrating stuttering as a valued form of human diversity.
For Valerie, Dream. Speak. Live.® means embracing who you are without apology, speaking with confidence and authenticity regardless of fluency, and living a life defined not by limitations, but by connection, purpose, and possibility.
Amanda Ortiz-Alvarez, MS CCC-SLP is a doctoral student and Spanish-English bilingual speech-language pathologist at the Blank Center. Amanda received her BA in Foreign Languages and Linguistics, as well as her MS in Speech-Language Pathology, at the University of New Mexico. Currently, Amanda is pursuing a PhD in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences while working as a teaching and research assistant alongside her mentor, Dr. Courtney Byrd. As she began her foray into academia and the stuttering community, Amanda was thrilled by the boundless passion and innovation at the core of the research and clinical initiatives underway at the Blank Center. Collectively, the unapologetic endeavors toward openness, communication, and celebration of stuttering in all its forms were strongly aligned with Amanda’s desire to explore how to best empower and support people who stutter on their own terms. For Amanda, Dream. Speak. Live.® is exemplified through the cultivation of knowledge, agency, and pursuit of authenticity.
JoLynn Riojas
Ph.D. Student
Einat Oz Vecht
Ph.D. Student
Zixun Wang is a Ph.D. student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, under the mentorship of Dr. Courtney Byrd at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. She holds an M.S.Ed. from Johns Hopkins University.
Her research interests center on developmental stuttering, communication competence, and the lived experiences of people who stutter. She is particularly interested in exploring how individuals who stutter navigate communication across diverse social, cultural, and everyday contexts, and how these experiences shape their sense of self, confidence, and participation. Through her research, she hopes to deepen our understanding of the relationship between stuttering and communication, while contributing to approaches that honor individual differences and support authentic, meaningful self-expression.
To Zixun, Dream. Speak. Live.® reflects the belief that every voice carries a story worth telling, and every individual deserves the freedom to share it in their own way. She believes that the beauty of communication lies not in perfect fluency, but in the authenticity of expression, the connections formed through understanding, and the possibilities that emerge when people feel free to be themselves. For her, Dream. Speak. Live. is ultimately about a world where no voice needs to be perfect to be powerful, and no dream is limited by the way it is expressed.
Public figures who stutter and share the Blank Center’s mission with the world.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Professional Golfer
Shaquille O’Neal
Former NBA Player, Sports Analyst, Actor
Learn more about The Blank Center and our mission to change the world for people who stutter. Get started and connect with our growing community.