Springfield College NSSLHA Chapter Awarded 2021 Bronze Chapter Honors
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (National NSSLHA) Chapter at Springfield College was awarded 2021 Bronze Chapter Honors by the National NSSLHA.
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (National NSSLHA) Chapter at Springfield College was awarded 2021 Bronze Chapter Honors by the National NSSLHA.
National NSSLHA Chapter Honors are awarded to affiliated NSSLHA chapters that demonstrate an outstanding effort to support the National NSSLHA mission to inspire, empower, and support students in communication sciences and disorders programs.
Efforts made by the NSSLHA Chapter at Springfield College helped National NSSLHA:
- Increase awareness of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) on more than 135 local college campuses and communities across the country—primarily through virtual platforms.
- Increase advocacy efforts by sending more than 9,500 letters to state and federal legislators.
- Provide scholarships to students in CSD programs by contributing more than $24,000 to the ASH Foundation NSSLHA Scholarship.
- Support CSD-related organizations by donating more than $64,000 and approximately 20,000 hours of chapter members’ time.
“Throughout this challenging year of COVID-19, the Springfield College NSSLHA executive board and its club members made a firm decision to keep our mission alive,” said Springfield College NSSLHA executive board president Julia DaSilva. “Despite all the obstacles, we overcame it by becoming a driving force of action. But within that action was perseverance. Without the perseverance of all the NSSLHA members, we could not have achieved the National NSSLHA Bronze award. To say I am proud would be an understatement. I am honored to have served not only the campus club, but a recognized National NSSLHA chapter for a second year in a row.”
About the NSSLHA Chapter at Springfield College
The Springfield College NSSLHA Chapter is dedicated to creating an inclusive learning environment by being a support system for students interested in communication sciences and disorders by providing opportunities to engage in service and leadership consistent with the Humanics philosophy of spirit, mind, and body. Through the club, we aim to promote awareness of the scope of practice and foster professionalism within the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology.
“It is a privilege to serve as faculty advisor for the Springfield College chapter of NSSLHA,” said Springfield College Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders Debra Burnett. “These students came together this year in a spirit of thriving and resilience. They have hosted events and guest speakers, virtual and in person, to foster connection and serve the community. The club held game nights, partnered with other clubs for self-care events, made bracelets for community partners, and sent advocacy emails to legislators. The students exemplify putting the Springfield College mission into action and I'm so proud they were able to once again earn bronze honors from our national NSSLHA organization.”
About National NSSLHA
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 11,700-plus members and 340-plus chapters at colleges and universities nationwide.
Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.
