Speech and Hearing Sciences

I joined the DSHS faculty in 1986 as a visiting assistant professor while finishing my dissertation. In 1987, I was fortunate enough to be selected to fill the position full-time. Currently, I am a professor, mother, wife, sister, faculty advisor for the student Autism Speaks U chapter at UNC-CH, and active in my neighborhood association. I am an avid reader, who loves the beach and the mountains and so am very happy to live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina which is mid-way between the mountains and the beaches. I encourage you to visit (or better yet live) here in this Tar Heel side of heaven. Life is very good here.

Karen Erickson, Ph.D. is the David E. and Dolores “Dee” Yoder Distinguished Professor of Literacy and Disability Studies in the Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Karen is also the Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies and a Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Karen is a former teacher of students with significant disabilities. Her current research addresses literacy and communication assessment and intervention for students with extensive support needs, as well as the supportiveness of augmentative and alternative communication in interaction. Recent projects have focused on creating open-source professional development and implementation supports such as those available in Project Core and Tar Heel Shared Reader.

I am deeply committed to pediatric audiology and expanding access to high-quality pediatric services across North Carolina. In my clinical role, I serve patients at UNC Hospitals Audiology at Meadowmont and on the UNC Mobile Hearing and Speech Clinic, ensuring children receive essential hearing care in both medical and community-based settings. Additionally, I coordinate school-based hearing screenings for local schools, helping to identify hearing concerns early and support students’ communication and learning.
Beyond clinical care, I am passionate about education and mentorship. As a faculty member, I teach graduate-level courses in audiologic assessment, educational audiology, and clinical issues, helping to shape the next generation of audiologists.
As the clinical education coordinator for the AuD program, I find great fulfillment in guiding graduate students as they master clinical skills, develop confidence, and discover their professional passions. My work bridges patient care and education, fostering strong relationships with children, families, and students while advancing the field of pediatric audiology.

Dr. Johnson practices as a clinical audiologist at the UNC Hearing and Communication Center (UNC-HCC), a faculty clinic in Chapel Hill. She provides adult diagnostic, tinnitus and aural rehabilitative services, with specialization in hearing and assistive technology. With the UNC-HCC serving as the formative training site for UNC’s doctoral students, Dr. Johnson provides daily clinical education via one-on-one student supervision. Using her expertise in hearing technology. Dr. Johnson teaches the Au.D. hearing aid courses for first and second year students and a third year course on Occupational Audiology. With a commitment to community service, Dr. Johnson can often be found providing interprofessional education on age-related hearing, cognition and audiology treatment.

Dr. Johnson is certified by the American Board of Audiology (ABA) and holds their Certificate for Tinnitus Management (CH-TM). Dr. Johnson is also active in state-level leadership with the North Carolina Audiology Association.

I am the Administrative Assistant for several programs in the office of Student Services in Health Sciences. I work with undergraduate and graduate students in Radiologic Science, Occupational Therapy & Occupational Science, and Speech & Hearing Sciences to guide them through the admissions, registration, and graduation processes during their time at UNC.

Brenda Everett Mitchell is a recently retired Associate Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences as well as Associate Chair of the Department of Health Sciences Office of Student Services and AHEC Operations at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.  

As I reflect on my time at UNC as an Associate Professor and administrator, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with so many awesome individuals. Mentoring is in my DNA so I will always appreciate the growth and development of others through teaching, mentoring, and community service.  

Most recently, I’ve endeavored to reach a younger audience by writing children’s books featuring various health conditions. My books aim to help children understand the importance of treating others respectfully and celebrating differences. 

Dr. Mundy joined the faculty of the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences in 1994 after working on the Carolina Otitis Media Project for four years at The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center (FPG). She continues to see clients clinically at the Hearing and Communication Center. She is the coordinator of AuD studies, overseeing the academic component of the audiology program.