Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences Advisory Board

The Speech Language Hearing Sciences (SLHS) Advisory Board will be charged with providing comprehensive programmatic feedback, including progress towards the SLHS department’s stated mission and goals. They will help the faculty and staff of the SLHS department achieve full accreditation and will serve as ambassadors and liaisons between MSU Denver and the greater Metro Denver and Colorado Communities. The Board is comprised of members who represent unique perspectives and areas of expertise. Board members will serve for two years. Representatives include: 

• A community advocate (individual with a communication disorder and/or family member) 
• Community-based speech-language pathologists 
• A current student
• The Department Chair or Program Director 
• The Director of Clinical Education 
• A faculty/staff representative
• An interprofessional service provider (from health or education fields) 
• Program alumnus

Jen Carter M.Ed., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a medically based speech-language pathologist and a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders with 28 years of experience. She currently treats inpatients and outpatients with oropharyngeal dysphagia and communication disorders at the VA Medical Center in Aurora which includes the ENT/Dysphagia and Voice clinic, the national Intensive Dysphagia Treatment research project, and the Gender Affirming Program for Speech (GAPS) which provides voice therapy for transgender Veterans.  

Since moving to Colorado in 1999, Jen has worked at Craig Hospital, the University of Colorado Hospital, and her private practice the Carter Swallowing Center. She frequently presents at the local, state, and national level on the topic of dysphagia and teaches a variety of continuing education dysphagia courses for CIAO seminars.  She served on the Colorado Speech Hearing Association board for several years and is currently on the board of the Colorado Speech Hearing Foundation which provides annual scholarships to SLHS graduate students.  When she is not working, Jen enjoys hiking and cycling. 

Robin Koncilja is a real estate professional with a focus on the acquisition, restoration, and management of historic apartment buildings in central Denver. She is currently working towards developing inclusive co-housing solutions for the IDD/DD community, providing much-needed supported living options. Robin’s previous experience includes over 15 years of sales and business management, having successfully led sales and strategy efforts for institutions such as the Denver Art Museum and luxury brands including Michael Kors and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Her journey took a profound turn when her son was diagnosed with autism at age two. This transformative experience fueled her advocacy efforts, leading her to become a passionate voice for policy changes and support for families dealing with autism. Her advocacy focuses on areas such as Medicaid, insurance, and community resources.

Robin is on the board of REVEL, an organization supporting teens and adults with autism. She also serves on the Denver Art Museums fundraising committee.

Bianca Perez, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a bilingual clinical fellow SLP and recent graduate from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. Bianca completed her undergraduate degree at MSU-Denver and received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences with a minor in Biology in 2021.

Bianca had the opportunity to participate in the first CRISMA (Centro de Rehabilitación Integral de San Miguel de Allende) study abroad program while she was attending MSU-Denver.  She learned about the growing field of speech language pathology in Mexico and witnessed the cooperation between various healthcare disciplines.

Bianca has taken advantage of every opportunity to participate in leadership roles throughout her academic career. She started out as the NSSLHA Secretary at MSU-Denver before rising to the position of Vice President at Lewis University. Bianca was in search of an SLP mentor when she came across the BEAM (Bilingual Empowerment via Allied Mentorship) Program. She relished the opportunity to converse with and learn from a mentor who shared a similar background. She has become the clinician she is today as a result of her academic and clinical experiences.

Bianca recently began her clinical fellowship year in her hometown of Colorado Springs and is excited to continue learning. When she’s not working, Bianca  loves to be in nature, read, travel, and spend time with loved ones. Bianca aspires to serve as a role model for the Hispanic community and inspire the next generation of speech, language and hearing science professionals.

Saï Jones Rajopadhye, M.A., CCC-SLP, holds a bachelor’s degree in Romance languages (French and Spanish) from Colorado College, and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Northern Colorado. She is state licensed in Colorado and nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Saï specializes in multilingual speech and language therapy and is a native speaker of English, French, and Marathi. She has experience working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including clients from Central and South America, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Saï especially enjoys providing services to clients 5 and under, in a variety of settings. In her free time she enjoys teaching group fitness classes, cooking, and spending time with her parrot Zephy.

Eric Schliemann is a speech-language pathologist in Westminster Public Schools.  He has worked in the public school system for ten years and has experience providing in-home services for children and adults.  Eric is bilingual (English and Spanish) and has served on district assessment teams for Westminster and Adams 12 school districts.  He has also worked as a volunteer speech-language pathologist in Guatemala and Peru.  Eric is a member and former chair of the Colorado Bilingual SLP Network.  He is a current member of the Colorado Department of Education’s Speech-Language Advisory Council.  Eric lives in Denver with his wife and two children.