Student Organization Receives National Recognition
Shown, front row, seated from left: Amelia Alacqua,Abigail Walsh,Kayla Tilwick,Julianna McRell,Mianicole Duverge. Back row: Domenic Scaffidi,Ava Amato,Megan Knecht , Gia Maayan.. Absent from photo: Anna Lunbery, Ashley Kessell, Brooke Haltmeier, Deirdre Meagher, Emma Dougherty, Francesca Failla, Jacob Rogomentick, Joshua Vargas, Kaelan Ellis, Madison Dunlop, Maggie Cygan, Marilyn Keating, Molly Enright, Nora O'Connell, Sheila Miller, Sofia Colucci, Tanner Updyke and Teresa Fernandes.The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Chapter at The University of Scranton has been awarded Gold Chapter Honors for attaining a distinguished level of achievement in the areas of member recruitment and engagement, community outreach and service, legislative advocacy and fundraising during the 2022-23 academic year.
The announcement was made this week by the parent organization, National NSSLHA, whose members are studying communication sciences and disorders (CSD), speech-language pathology and audiology at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels at college and universities nationwide.
“We are so proud of the 2022-23 Gold Chapter Honors awardees, and we congratulate them on all they’ve achieved this year,” said NSSLHA Executive Council President Gabrielle Howard.
“Each chapter demonstrated a deep commitment to its members, its community, and the professions, and embodied NSSLHA’s values in the areas of collaboration, diversity, education, integrity, leadership and service,” she said.
Through its annual honors program, NSSLHA recognizes outstanding affiliated chapters that have made significant contributions to CSD programs, the national organization and their local chapters. Chapter Honors are awarded at the bronze, silver and gold levels.
During the 2022-23 academic year, the University's chapter participated in multiple community outreach and legislative activities. The chapter has partnered with the Bjorn This Way Foundation and raised over $1,000 to provide speech-language pathology services to individuals who need them.
As a chapter, they decided to contact the University's parking services about the language used on accessible parking signs.The latest update from the University has stated that the parking signs will be updated to reflect person-first language. The chapter then decided to extend this mission to the City of Scranton in regard to city-owned accessible parking. The chapter has been advised to bring this issue to a city meeting where they will propose the changes.
The chapter has handed out flyers for Stuttering Awareness Day, including tips on communicating with individuals who stutter. The chapter has participated in signing Take Action Letters through NSSLHA to request that Congress permanently cover telehealth services under Medicare after the pandemic public health emergency coverage was over.
“I am incredibly proud of all of our chapter members for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year. This is our first full year as a chapter and first year eligible to receive chapter honors, so I am elated that we were able to receive Gold Chapter Honors this year!” said Chapter President Megan Knecht.
The University of Scranton NSSLHA Chapter is one of only 93 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico to receive Gold Chapter Honors in 2023.
How have efforts by the NSSLHA Chapter at The University helped on a national level?
Efforts made by the NSSLHA Chapter at The University of Scranton helped National NSSLHA:
● Increase awareness of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) on more than 140 local college campuses and communities across the country as well as through virtual platforms;
● Increase advocacy efforts by sending more than 5,400 letters to state and federal legislators;
● Provide scholarships to students in CSD programs by contributing more than $22,500 to the ASHFoundation’s NSSLHA Scholarship;
● Support CSD-related organizations by donating $60,000 and more than 25,000 hours of chapter members’ time.
About the NSSLHA Chapter at The University of Scranton
The Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) program at The University of Scranton strives to focus on a diverse and open-minded education, moral reflection and teaching for social justice while maintaining rigorous scholarship, teaching, service and community partnerships.
The program is held in Edward R. Leahy Hall, which serves the Panuska College of Professional Studies for undergraduate and post-graduate students preparing for careers in health and education.
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is the only national student organization for pre-professionals studying communication sciences and disorders (CSD) recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Established in 1972, National NSSLHA is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, and supports nearly 11,000 members and more than 350 chapters at colleges and universities nationwide.
