Biography
Dr. Sara Alig joined West Liberty University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2020. She brings more than 20 years of experience as a medical speech-language pathologist across acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, outpatient, home health, and tracheostomy/ventilator settings, with a primary focus on adults. A Certified Dementia Practitioner, Dr. Alig is passionate about supporting caregivers of individuals living with dementia. She founded a support group through the WLU Speech and Hearing Clinic to promote understanding, connection, and effective communication. Dr. Alig holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and a PhD in Communication Studies. Her research focuses on supportive health communication for adults with neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders. She serves as an Associate Professor and Coordinator of WLU’s MS program in Speech-Language Pathology. In recognition of her volunteer work, she was honored as a “Person of Impact” at the Ohio Valley Brain Ball (2024) benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
Education
• West Liberty State College (1996-2000)
Pre-professional Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Bachelor of Science, overall GPA 3.5
• West Virginia University (2000-2002)
Speech-Language Pathology
Master of Science, overall GPA 3.56
• Liberty University (2020-2024)
Communication Studies
Doctor of Philosophy, overall GPA 3.95
Professional Experiences
CERTIFICATIONS
• Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC-SLP) by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (2003)- [required by accrediting body]
• Certification in the utilization of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Vital stim) to facilitate dysphagia therapy (2005)
• Certification in the utilization of Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation (DPNS) techniques to facilitate dysphagia therapy (2013)
• Certification in utilization of Myofascial Release and other Manual Techniques in Dysphagia Therapy (2016)
• Qualified West Liberty University Online Instructor (2021)
• Certified Dementia-Care Practitioner (CDP) (2021)
• Certified Parkinson’s SPEAK OUT! Provider (2022)
• Certified Ritberger Personality Method (2022)
• Certified Volunteer Educator and Support Group Leader for the Alzheimer’s Association (2022)
• Certified Positive Approach to Care Consultant in Dementia Care (2025)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD)
• National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP)
• WV Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
Most Recent Publications and Presentations
PUBLICATION
• Alig, Sara J. (2024). Using the Motivated Information Management Theory and the Social Support Theory to Understand Caregiver Perspectives of Currently Available Health Communication Regarding Dementia: A Qualitative Study. Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5509. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5509
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS (beginning with most recent)
• Presentation: “If Behavior is the Communication, What is the Advocacy Response?” at the West Virginia Speech and Hearing Association Conference on 4-28-26
• Presentation: “Navigating Cognitive Decline; Communication, Swallowing, and Caregiver Guidance for SLPs” at the West Virginia Speech and Hearing Association Conference on 3-28-25
• Presentation: “Seeking to Understand Dementia Related Brain Change” at Moundsville Healthcare Center on 3-21-25 and the Sisters of St. Joseph, Wheeling, WV on 8-14-24
• Presentation: “Resources in the Northern Panhandle of WV for Persons with Dementia and their Caregivers” On behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association and the West Liberty University Speech and Hearing Clinic for The Longest Day fundraising event at the Wellsburg HealthCare Center and Moundsville Healthcare Center on 6-20-24
• Poster Presentation: “Benefits of Infusing IPP/IPE into an Undergraduate AAC Clinical Course” at the CAPCSD Conference on 4-13-23