Dr. Ruth Watkins earned a BA in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1985, and an MA and Ph.D. in Speech-Language from the University of Kansas in 1987 and 1989.

Ruth became an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech & Science at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. As an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of speech and language development and disabilities in young children to college students majoring in speech-language pathology, education, psychology and linguistics.

Ruth also conducts research with young children on topics related to speech and language development and disabilities. Her work in these areas includes research on identifying effective teaching strategies and methods for young children.