Maria Claudia Franca | Communication Disorders and Sciences | SIU

Maria Claudia Franca

Professor (Ph.D., CCC-SLP)

Maria Claudia Franca is an endowed Mark and Susan Ashley Professor in the Communication Disorders and Sciences Program with areas of interest in Voice Science, Multicultural and Global Issues Related to Communication Disorders, and Higher Education matters. Dr. Franca has been recipient of the Diversity Excellence Award from the SIU System (2018) and the SIUC Provost Faculty Fellowship (2019). Her achievements were supported by the University Women's Professional Advancement and Women's Studies in 2009. Franca was selected Teacher of the Year in 2016 and 2011 and received the Janet and David Stover Award in 2006 in the Rehabilitation Institute. In 2020 she was appointed Scholar of Year at the School of Health Sciences. She was recipient of the Scholar Excellence Award in 2017 and the Faculty Excellence Award in 2012 from the College of Education and Human Services. Dr. Franca accepted a Diversity Champion Award (2009) and a Minority Student Leadership Program Award (2006) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She collaborates at national/international levels and holds leadership appointments at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association.