Kristin Berndt

Name: Kristin Berndt, M.S., CCC-SLP

Education

• Doctorate of Education, Winona State University, anticipated 2027
• MS in Speech-Language Pathology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, 2013
• BS in Communication Sciences & Disorders, Minnesota State University Mankato, 2011

Teaching

 Kristin’s teaching and mentorship focus on preparing future speech-language pathologists through experiential, simulation-based, and clinically integrated learning opportunities. Her goals are to strengthen students’ clinical confidence, critical thinking, and readiness for professional practice by bridging classroom instruction with authentic clinical experiences across pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. She is particularly passionate about fostering culturally responsive care, interprofessional collaboration, and reflective clinical decision-making while supporting students’ growth as compassionate and competent clinicians.

Current Courses

• CDIS 394: Applied Anatomy and Physiology
• CDIS 495: Undergraduate Clinical Practicum: Communication Disorders
• CDIS 616: Voice and Upper Airway Disorders
• CDIS 621: Motor Speech Disorders
• CDIS 695: Clinical Practicum: Communication Disorders
• CDIS 697: Professional Preparation in Speech-Language Pathology
• CDIS 698: Internship

Areas of Interest

 Kristin’s areas of interest include clinical education, simulation-based learning, graduate student readiness, and mentorship within speech-language pathology. She is particularly interested in strengthening the connection between academic learning and clinical application through experiential and interprofessional education opportunities. Her work focuses on developing confident, reflective, and evidence-based clinicians who are prepared to serve diverse populations across healthcare and educational settings. She is also passionate about collaboration across disciplines and community partnerships that enhance student learning, clinical reasoning, cultural humility, and professional growth.

Presentations

• Oeding, K., & Berndt, K. (2026). Confidence and Emotions in Learning Clinical Skills as Undergraduates. Presented at the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching, Austin, TX. 
• Berndt, K., & Dohm, M. (2026). Lessons Learned in Selecting Modalities for Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Simulation. Presented at the Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association Virtual Conference.
• Berndt, K., Dohm, M. (2025). Lessons Learned in Selecting Modalities for Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Simulation. International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare. Orlando, FL.
• Pittelko, R., Poburka, B., Berndt, K. (2024).  Student internships in the medical setting: Lessons learned & opportunities.  Presented at the Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Minneapolis, MN (April 2024).
• Pittelko, R., Poburka, B., & Berndt, K. (2023).  Student internships in the medical setting: Lessons learned & opportunities.  Presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Boston, MA (November 2023).