About The L
For over 19 years The Luke Lee Lab has served West Virginia families with LSLS-led parent coaching, auditory-verbal therapy, and an intensive preschool. Our goal is simple: help children learn to listen, speak, and join life at home and at school.
Who we are
The Luke Lee Listening, Language & Learning Lab—also known as The L—helps West Virginia families pursue listening and spoken language outcomes through evidence-based auditory-verbal therapy and weekly parent coaching.
Since 2006, our university-embedded team has guided deaf and hard-of-hearing children from diagnosis to confident communication.
We primarily serve West Virginia families at no cost and welcome neighbors from the Tri-State area (WV · KY · OH) for on-site care in Huntington.
Teletherapy is available statewide to reach more communities.
Our approach
Every element of The L connects research, real-life coaching, and access:
LSLS-led clinical care
grounded in current auditory-verbal practice
Family coaching every week
so progress continues at home
University partnership
linking audiology, speech-language pathology, and early-childhood education
No-cost for WV families
through state and university support
Teletherapy in-state
to make expert care practical wherever families live
Why LSL-specialized care
Devices provide sound—LSL teaches what that sound means.
Helping a deaf or hard-of-hearing child listen with technology is a distinct specialty. LSL integrates hearing science, device management, and hands-on family coaching to build the brain for listening and spoken language.
Meet our Program Director
Dr. Jodi Cottrell, Au.D., CCC-A, LSLS Cert. AVEd
Dr. Jodi Cottrell is an audiologist and certified listening and spoken language specialist and auditory verbal educator who has dedicated her career to helping children with hearing loss learn to listen and speak.
She began working with pediatric cochlear implants when implantation first became common and quickly recognized what many families were missing—specialized intervention and parent coaching that turns devices into language.
At The L, Jodi leads the clinical team, mentors professionals, and still lights up when a toddler turns to a voice for the first time. Families trust her to be upfront, kind, and practical. Colleagues rely on her to bridge audiology, education, and home life so care stays connected.
Get to know Jodi
- Doctor of Audiology with extensive pediatric CI experience
- LSLS Cert. AVEd—specialist in teaching children to listen and talk through auditory-verbal education
- Program Director, The L · Marshall University
- Passion: empowering parents to be their child’s best coach
Jodi’s note on specialty
“Children with hearing technology need a listening-and-spoken-language specialist.
General speech therapy is valuable—but it’s not the same training or focus.”
Meet our Founder
Cherese Lee — The mom who chose now
When Luke was a baby, life was a blur—new city, toddler at home, twin boys, long hospital days. The hearing news was heavy and answers were scattered. So Cherese started calling anyone who would listen.
When a clear path didn’t exist, she helped build one. With partners at Marshall University, she opened a door for her son—and for other families who wanted listening and spoken language.
What began as one mother’s search for clarity became The L: a place where West Virginia families find hope, a plan, and people who stay with them.
Though her role has evolved, Cherese continues to champion the mission and ensure no parent has to search alone.
Hear more of Cherese’s story on her podcast Just Waiting for You.
Contact
Location:
1625 3rd Avenue
Huntington WV 25755
(on the Marshall University campus)
Phone:
Email:
cottrellj@marshall.edu
Hours:
By appointment
Accessibility
All videos are captioned. Tell us how we can make your visit work for you.
Support The L
Your gift helps West Virginia families access no-cost services and expert coaching when it matters most.
How to give through the Marshall University Foundation
Until a direct link is available, follow these steps to donate and direct your gift to The L:
- Click on the Donate button below
- Choose your contribution
- In the field “Fund designation”, search for “Luke Lee”
- Designate the donation to “COHP: Luke Lee Listening, Language, Learning Lab”
- Complete the rest of the form
- Click “Make your gift”
Need help? Email us and we’ll walk you through it.