After a period of dedicated leadership as Head of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS), Dr. Derek Houston is stepping into a new role as Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Reflecting on his time as Department Head, Dr. Houston notes that while the role came with its challenges, one of the most rewarding aspects was staying closely connected to the work of the department. He made it a priority to remain involved and informed about the efforts of staff, students, faculty, and postdoctoral scholars, finding it especially meaningful to highlight their accomplishments. Drafting department-wide messages that celebrated these successes became, in his words, a therapeutic and fulfilling part of his leadership.
Among his proudest accomplishments as department head is creating the Community Engagement Committee and the growth and impact the committee has made. Increasing community engagement was a central focus of his vision when he stepped into the role, and he is particularly proud of how the committee has strengthened communication with the broader community. Their work, including initiatives related to newborn hearing screenings for home births and literacy groups at domestic abuse safe houses, has helped showcase the department’s impact beyond the university and continues to make a meaningful difference.
As Associate Dean for Research, he describes his motivation as rooted in a desire to contribute where he can be most effective, particularly at a time when university research faces increasing challenges. He is excited about the opportunity to enhance research across the college, with a special emphasis on community-engaged research- an area in which SLHS has demonstrated notable strength. Bringing that strength to a broader, college-wide level is a key goal in his new role.
Dr. Houston notes that he will miss the regular, day-to-day interactions with members of the SLHS community. This transition is made easier by his continued role as a faculty member, his leadership of the HELLO Lab, and his ongoing involvement in the department.
The SLHS community thanks Dr. Houston for his leadership and looks forward to seeing the impact he will make in his new role as Dean of Research.
Read more about Dr. Houston’s new position in UConn Today: https://today.uconn.edu/2026/01/derek-houston-named-clas-associate-dean-for-research-and-strategic-initiatives/