Gloriajean L. Wallace

Gloriajean L. Wallace, MA, PhD, MDiv, ASHA-CCC, ANCDS-BC, is a tenured Catherine Brewer Smith Distinguished Professor of Communication Disorders and Sciences at Western Carolina University, in Cullowhee, North Carolina.  At the age of 7 years, she decided to become a speech-language pathologist (SLP) after reading about the impact that Annie Sullivan had on Helen Keller’s life, and then attending a play with her parents where both characters came to life.

Dr. Wallace obtained a BS from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio; an MA from the University of Colorado, Boulder; a PhD from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; and postdoctoral training at the University of Arizona, Tucson and the Boston V.A. Dr. Wallace has had an illustrious career that spans 40 plus years, during which time she has served as Professor, Endowed Professor, Department Chairperson and Graduate Program Director, Medical SLP and Neurorehabilitation Coach and Advocate for people with neurogenic disorders, and Mentor to junior faculty and students (with a desire to help fill the speech-language pathology pipeline with the best and brightest future leaders). 

Dr. Wallace specializes in neurogenics, with a focus on adult aphasia, and a special interest in people from underserved communities.  This is her third neurogenics book.  Dr. Wallace’s current research includes the development of an assessment system, the Reliable Assessment Inventory of Neuro-Behavioral Organization (RAINBO), designed for people from diverse backgrounds who have communication, cognitive, and swallowing impairments.  It is her vision that the RAINBO will support the selection of evidence-based treatments and prediction of life participation outcomes.   

Dr. Wallace is an ASHA Fellow, Board Certified by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS), and licensed to practice in North Carolina, California, Ohio, and Hawai’i.  She is a recipient of the ANCDS Special Recognition for Leadership and Contributions to Neurogenics Award, and the National Black Association for Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NBASLH) Scholar Mentor Award.  Dr. Wallace, is ordained as both an Interfaith and a Christian Minister, with extensive Chaplaincy training in medical contexts.  


Books by Gloriajean L. Wallace