The UCA chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) has achieved the NSSLHA Silver Chapter Recognition from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a national professional association. The NSSLHA Chapter Recognition Program awards local chapters for their fundraising, community service, advocacy, career awareness, and recruitment efforts.
UCA NSSLHA is the only chapter from Arkansas to receive this distinction. Of the 300 chapters nationwide,only 13 received gold, silver, or bronze status. The gold, silver, and bronze levels reflect varying levels of involvement.
“As the advisor for this UCA registered student organization, I am extremely proud of the UCA NSSLHA members and their contributions to raising the awareness of communication sciences and disorders on the UCA campus and beyond,” said Jeff Adams, a clinical instructor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology.
“Earning distinction at the national level helps those beyond our state realize what we in Arkansas already know — UCA has a top-notch program in speech-language pathology,” he continued. “This honor also helps reflect the strong service mindset that UCA speech-language pathology students develop throughout their studies in this rewarding career field.”
UCA chapter members took part in “NSSLHA Loves,” an annual community service activity which promotes fundraising among NSSLHA members in support of national organizations that work with people living with communication disorders. This year, campaign donations went to the Stuttering Foundation of America. In order to raise money for the Stuttering Foundation of America, the UCA NSSLHA sponsored a Parents Night Out and accepted donations for childcare.
Samantha Carter, the UCA NSSLHA past president, received National NSSLHA member honors for her scholastic achievement, service to the academic unit, professional conduct, and service to NSSLHA. She will be recognized at the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention in San Diego in November.
In addition to these honors, the UCA NSSLHA received the Nancy McKinley Regional Project grant, valued at $1,000, to support the 28th annual Betty Fusilier Conference on Communication Sciences and Disorders held at UCA. This conference is a UCA NSSLHA sponsored event that brings UCA alumni, speech-language pathologists and audiologists to our campus for continuing education opportunities and networking. The UCA NSSLHA also participated in career awareness activities to raise campus and community awareness about speech pathology and our contributions to society.
