Maria Claudia Franca, communication disorders and sciences (CDS) professor, is praised by colleagues across the country for her inclusive excellence, leadership, dedication, teaching and scholarship. For these reasons and more, she was the natural choice to win Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s 2026 Women of Distinction Award. It’s one of eight Excellence Awards presented April 14 to recognize faculty and staff for superior scholarship, creative endeavors, teaching and service.
The Women of Distinction Award honors employees for demonstrating a sustained commitment to women and/or issues of diversity through proven leadership, vision or actions, whether within a profession, in an area of expertise, or in service to the university community.
“I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be recognized among such outstanding colleagues, Franca said. “It is especially meaningful to be in the company of remarkable peers like my dear colleague and co-author, Valerie Boyer, herself an SIU Woman of Distinction.”
Extensive impact
Denise Croft, program director and assistant lecturer for CDS praises Franca as the “embodiment of a true Saluki” as she represents the university with “unwavering excellence, consistently upholding the highest principles of competence and integrity” while inspiring all around her to “perform at their best as she models the type of professionalism and character that elevates the entire academic community.”
Franca is reliable, collaborative and consistently goes above and beyond, Croft said.
“She embodies the qualities of a truly exceptional woman whose influence extends far beyond her immediate environment,” Croft said. “She stands as a profound source of inspiration for women within our field and beyond.”
Franca has also served in significant leadership positions, including president of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association and nationally and internationally through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
“Throughout her career, Dr. Franca has demonstrated leadership that is purposeful and impact driven,” said Karla Berry, interim director of the School of Media Arts. “Her career reflects a sustained, values-driven commitment to advancing women, inclusive excellence and equity through leadership, teaching, scholarship and service to the SIU Carbondale community.”
Franca’s impact has extended well beyond the SIU community, according to Barbara Goodson, a speech-language pathologist and SIU Edwardsville adjunct lecturer who has worked with Franca for more than a decade in professional organizations for their profession.
“As president of IHSA, Maria Claudia played a pivotal role in bringing agencies together to ensure that legislative efforts supporting the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Interstate Compact remained active and visible,” she said.
The compact was a critical initiative allowing providers to serve clients across state lines when shortages were severe. Goodson noted that Franca worked diligently on behalf of underrepresent populations, keeping the project alive when it threatened to stall.
“Maria Claudia’s contributions to her university, state and national associations, and the professional community abroad, reflect an exceptional commitment to diversity, leadership and service in a profession 96% represented by women – precisely what this award seeks to honor.”
Decades of devotion
Franca came to SIU more than two decades ago from her native Brazil where she was also a teacher. She completed her master’s degree in communication disorders and her doctorate in rehabilitation with a concentration in communication disorders and sciences at the university. She worked on campus while completing her graduate degrees and then was hired as an assistant professor in 2008. Since then, she has risen to the rank of full professor.
She has extensive clinical, teaching, research and publication experience, served as the CDS program coordinator for several years, and has mentored numerous graduate students. She has earned awards for her teaching, scholarship, and professional activities, including the SIU-system Diversity Excellence Award and the Scholar of the Year Award and the Scholar Excellence Award from the college/school.
Get to know MARIA CLAUDIA FRANCA
Name: Maria Claudia Franca
Department and job title: Communications Disorders and Sciences Program, professor
Years at SIU Carbondale: 23 years, including faculty and student experiences.
Give us the elevator pitch for your job.
I collaborate with the communication disorders scientific community, both within our university and globally, to advance knowledge, foster interprofessional partnerships and advocate for effective communication and accessibility for all.
What is your favorite part of your job?
What I value most is the genuine collegiality with the Communication Disorders and Sciences Program, supported by the leadership of Denise Croft. There is a strong culture of collaboration and encouragement that promotes meaningful engagement with students and professionals across all levels of the academic community.
Why did you choose SIU?
I first came to SIU and Southern Illinois as a visiting scholar in the early 2000s and immediately felt a strong connection to the campus and community. I struck me as a place where both my family and I could truly feel at home while growing professionally and personally.
If I had one wish it would be:
I wish for effective communication to foster true understanding among all people.
At the top of my ‘bucket list’ is:
To live a simple, meaningful life while staying deeply connected to my family and my work.
