UCF’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association is a recipient of the national organization’s Gold Chapter Honors for 2016!
UCF NSSLHA learned the news last week in a congratulatory letter from NSSLHA’s Michael Meurer that applauded the chapter’s “commitment to your community, legislative advocacy and fund-raising activities.”
The UCF chapter is one of just 20 chapters to receive this year’s Gold Chapter Honors out of 319 chapters across the United States and abroad.
“We are so proud of and grateful to this talented group of NSSLHA members and their hard-working leaders,” said Professor Barbara Ehren, who advises the group along with Clinical Associate Instructor Gillian Dreilinger.
To earn gold-level honors, a chapter must donate $500 to the NSSLHA Loves campaign, publicly advocate for the communication sciences and disorders field, host at least one career awareness day, and be very active in the community though volunteering, according to Suzanne Ball, UCF NSSLHA’s president for 2016-17.
The chapter officers for 2015-16 were President Michelle Smith, Vice President (EA) Michelle Samper, Vice President (IA) Jennifer Froehlich, Secretary Arianna Harvey and Treasurer Athanasia Svenning. They and their fellow chapter members held fundraising activities at Blaze, Jamba Juice and Sus Hi Eatstation in Orlando, as well as the group’s annual carnival at UCF to raise money and community awareness.
They also volunteered at local charity walks, made Valentine’s Day cards with residents at Russell Home for Atypical Children in Orlando, and held a poetry day for homeless individuals.
Ball said planning is under way for activities and events in 2016-17. To learn more, visit the chapter on Facebook @UCFNSSLHA.
