Dr. Nordness earned a Bachelor of Science degree in speech-language pathology from Marquette University, a Master of Science in speech-language pathology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), and a Ph.D. in communication disorders at UNL. Her research and clinical interests involve motor speech disorders and augmentative and alternative communication across the lifespan. Specifically, she is interested in computer supported learning in childhood apraxia of speech, functional communication using augmentative and alternative communication devices in children and adults, and improving early swallowing skills in infants in the NICU. Dr. Nordness has published numerous papers, posters and journal articles and has provided presentations across the country and internationally.