Dr. Brenda Beverly
Co-Director of APLL Lab

Brenda L. Beverly is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist and instructor in the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department at the University of South Alabama where she teaches the undergraduate introductory courses on language and speech disorders as well as the graduate-level pediatric language and linguistics courses. Dr. Beverly also serves as an Editor-in-Chief with Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. Dr. Beverly holds a Bachelor of Science in Education in Communication Disorders, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, and a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science. 

Email: bbeverly@southalabama.edu

Dr. Victoria Henbest
Co-Director of APLL Lab

Victoria S. Henbest is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistant Professor in the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department at the University of South Alabama where she teaches the undergraduate introductory courses on language and speech disorders as well as the graduate-level school-age language and literacy and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) courses. Dr. Henbest earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Missouri State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. Prior to earning her doctoral degree, Dr. Henbest worked for 5 years as a full-time clinician in a public-school early childhood setting with pre-school age children with speech, language, and literacy deficits including children on the autism spectrum, those with intellectual disabilities, and medically complex children. Since coming to the University of South Alabama in 2019, Dr. Henbest’s primary clinical service provision has been through clinical education in the University Speech and Hearing Center where she has supported graduate student clinicians with evaluation and intervention for school-age children with spoken and written language needs. Dr. Henbest’s primary research interests include word-level reading and spelling and the relation between linguistic awareness skills, particularly morphological awareness, and literacy development.

Email: vhenbest@southalabama.edu 

Sean Stalley
Ph.D. Student

Sean Stalley is a Ph.D. student pursuing a doctorate of philosophy degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Alabama and a Master of Arts in English Linguistics from Eastern Michigan University. Sean is currently performing research in the lab on child language acquisition.

Emma Ledbetter
Graduate Student

Emma Ledbetter is a second-year graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Alabama. She earned a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science with a double major in Psychology from Auburn University. She is currently conducting research through the Pairs Engaging in Early Literacy (PEEL) Mt. Vernon program under the mentorship of Dr. Beverly and Dr. Henbest. Additionally, she will be completing her Master's Thesis under Dr. Henbest's mentorship in 2026-2027. 

Kate Walden
Graduate Student

Kate Walden is a second-year graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Alabama. She earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University. She is currently a Graduate Assistant for the APLL lab.  

Gabi Head
Graduate Student
Lab Manager

Gabi Head is a first-year graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Alabama. She earned a bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of South Alabama. She is currently a Graduate Assistant and Lab Manager for the APLL lab. 

Jaime Swenbeck
Graduate Student 

Jaime Swenbeck is a first-year graduate student at the University of South Alabama, pursuing a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She earned her bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology at the University of South Alabama. She volunteers in the APLL Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Brenda Beverly and Dr. Victoria Henbest and is currently combining research from The Reading House study (APLL TREE) to write a manuscript for publication. Outside of the lab, she works at a preschool, where she enjoys supporting the learning and development of young children.

Kiara Pugh
Undergraduate Student & Community Engagement Assistant

Kiara Pugh is a first-year transfer student at the University of South Alabama pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. She is a member of the APLL team and supports the Community Engagement Department through community outreach and research initiatives.

She currently assists with the Pairs Engaging in Early Literacy (PEEL) Mount Vernon program under the mentorship of Dr. Joél Billingsley, Dr. Beverly, and Dr. Henbest. Through this work, she contributes to community outreach efforts focused on early literacy and supporting families in the Mount Vernon community.

Lauren Tapley
Undergraduate Student

Lauren Tapley is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She currently serves as a lab volunteer in the APLL lab and will be conducting summer undergraduate research under Dr. Henbest, focusing on the PEEL project. Additionally, she will be completing her Honors Research Thesis under Dr. Henbest’s mentorship in 2026-2027. 

Abby Hardy
Undergraduate Student

Abby Hardy is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She is currently serving as a lab volunteer in the APLL lab and conducting summer undergraduate research under Dr. Henbest, focusing on the PEEL project. 

Soleil Paulk
Undergraduate Student

Soleil Paulk is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She currently serves as a volunteer in the APLL lab, and will be completing her Honors Research Thesis under Dr. Beverly’s mentorship in the 2026-2027 school year.