Mellissa Bortz

Dr. Mellissa Bortz is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and a nationally certified speech-language pathologist. Her research and clinical interests focus on language acquisition and language disorders across the lifespan. Originally from South Africa, Dr. Bortz is especially interested in understanding how speech-language pathologists can best serve individuals in culturally and linguistically diverse areas of the globe. Towards this goal, she has developed a database of speech and language materials devised for use throughout Africa. Dr. Bortz is currently editing a book entitled ‘Global Language Assessment: A Lifespan Approach’ and also collecting code-switching data in people with aphasia in South Eastern Zone Bantu languages.

Dr. Bortz is a member of the American Speech – Language – Hearing Association (ASHA). She is a Coordinating Committee Member of SIG 17 Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related Disorders and was selected to participate in ASHA’s Faculty Development Institute. In addition, she’s a part of ASHA’s Leadership Development Program and previously served on the ASHA International Issues Board. She is also a member of the South African Speech Language- Hearing Association African Connections Sub-committee.

At St John’s, Dr. Bortz has been awarded the Faculty Mission Certificate by the Vincentian Centre for Church and Society. She is a member of the Equity and Inclusion Council. Her students participate in Academic Service-Learning and some of their projects have been presented at conferences. She is the faculty moderator for the St John’s NSSLHA chapter which has received Gold Honors. She enjoys mentoring her students and encourages interested students to participate in her research.