In this month’s NSSLHA Roundup, we asked CSD students to share how their chapters build community and create spaces where members feel supported and included. Whether you’re refining existing traditions or looking for fresh ideas, their insights offer practical ways to help members feel connected.

This month, we will be hearing from five National NSSLHA members:

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What types of events or activities has your chapter put together that were most successful in building community?

Reannah Dingley
University of Maine at Orono

Our chapter has found the most success with events that bring people together in both fun and professional ways. Activities like monthly meetings, volunteer opportunities such as Pumpkins in the Park, and larger community events like the Open House have helped members feel connected. We’ve also built community through fundraisers, social gatherings, and CSD merchandise sales, which give members a sense of pride and belonging.

Levi Gerbitz
Bob Jones University

On campus, the BJU NSSLHA chapter is known as one of the most connected organizations. One way we foster these connections is through a mix of low-pressure and more organized events. We understand that everyone is busy with other commitments, so having frequent casual events like a “Stop & Study” or a “Game Night,” where students can drop by as their schedule allows, helps create a relaxed space for building friendships. At the same time, we plan less frequent, larger events like guest panels, workshops, and service opportunities that help grow the community by focusing on our common goals as CSD majors. A healthy mix of relaxed and organized events creates opportunities to build community, no matter how busy members are.

Alexa Stachel
University of Delaware

Our chapter volunteers monthly at the Mary Campbell Center, a home for adults with various disabilities. This is one of the best opportunities for our members to not only build connections with residents at MCC, but also build friendships with other NSSLHA members. Members carpool to and from the event, giving great opportunities to chat about classes, upcoming events, questions, and to engage with people who have similar interests. I love going to the Mary Campbell Center, getting to visit residents we’ve grown to know, meeting new NSSLHA members at UD, and strengthening relationships within the club.

Kumiko Long
Northwestern University

At the Northwestern University chapter of NSSLHA, we build community through group bonding activities such as pumpkin painting, movie nights, and other themed events. At these meetings, members can socialize and connect over shared interests that go beyond their occupational pursuits.

Debby Suarez
Arizona State University

One way we build community is through advocacy. Our board members annually visit the Arizona Capitol to advocate for and support bills that further advance the reach of speech and hearing services across the state. This is our most successful community-building event because seeing classmates who are just as passionate as you are helps create real community.

How do you ensure that all members feel a sense of belonging in your chapter?

Reannah Dingley
University of Maine at Orono

We make sure every member has the chance to participate and contribute by offering a variety of events—academic, social, and service-oriented—so there is something for everyone. We maintain open communication through email and meetings and encourage members to share their ideas. Events like the Open House and Grad School Panel also create spaces where students can ask questions, receive support, and build relationships with both peers and faculty.

Levi Gerbitz
Bob Jones University

To help foster a sense of belonging within the BJU NSSLHA chapter, I often conduct informal surveys of members. I ask what they value about their membership, as well as what we could do to make the chapter even better. After NSSLHA events, I also make it a goal to ask at least three people how they thought the event went, what they liked, and what could be improved. Using these insights, we are able to shape the chapter to better reflect what members want, helping create a space where everyone feels their voice is valued.

Alexa Stachel
University of Delaware

To ensure all members feel a sense of belonging, we celebrate everyone’s accomplishments and differences. One initiative we recently implemented is member shoutouts, where we highlight individual members on our Instagram Story with a photo and a short blurb about an accomplishment or favorite NSSLHA memory. These shoutouts help members feel seen and recognized for their involvement. We also prioritize creating a space where members feel welcome to share openly and honestly. We emphasize that supporting one another is essential to our success as future SLPs and audiologists and promote the importance of celebrating individuality, diversity, and acceptance.

Kumiko Long
Northwestern University

Cultivating a strong sense of belonging for all members is a priority for our chapter. We offer many opportunities for engagement, including involving members in decision-making such as choosing fundraising organizations, selecting event types, and recommending guest speakers. This helps ensure everyone feels valued as part of the NSSLHA-NU community.

Debby Suarez
Arizona State University

Our board is very diverse, with officers pursuing different paths within the speech-language pathology field. We connect and communicate with new members during general meetings and make sure each meeting highlights a different area of speech pathology. New faces are always greeted warmly, with opportunities to grab coffee and get to know board members better.

How do you help new members to feel connected to your chapter community?

Reannah Dingley
University of Maine at Orono

We welcome new members through introductory meetings and by pairing them with upperclassmen for mentorship and guidance. Events like Registration Hours and the Grad School Panel are great opportunities for new members to meet more experienced students, learn about the program, and feel included right away. Volunteer events also help new members connect by working together toward shared goals.

Levi Gerbitz
Bob Jones University

Helping new members feel connected can be challenging. While we host a beginning-of-the-year party, attendance can be inconsistent. We’ve found that providing volunteer opportunities early in the year helps new members connect more naturally. Members tend to bond more easily when working toward a shared purpose rather than engaging in small talk at parties. Volunteering creates organic conversation and helps members feel they are contributing to something meaningful.

Alexa Stachel
University of Delaware

Our goal is to ensure everyone feels connected, welcomed, and celebrated. One way we build community is through group volunteer activities, some of which take place off campus. These events allow new members to bond during travel and while serving together. We also host de-stress events, chapter parties, and joint meetings with other clubs. These gatherings help new members break the ice by crafting before midterms or finals, celebrating the end of a semester, and learning about other campus opportunities.

Kumiko Long
Northwestern University

We have created a mentorship pod system that matches members across grade levels based on shared career interests and similarities. These pods help new members feel welcomed and connected and are especially impactful for younger students who can seek academic, career, or life advice from older members!

Debby Suarez
Arizona State University

We host frequent social and fundraising events where we share who we are as a chapter, represent our student body, and highlight how our professions help others. Our strong connections with faculty and internship sites are frequently discussed at events, and we are always open to questions. We also gather ideas from members and use their input to guide future events.

How do you celebrate graduating members?

Reannah Dingley
University of Maine at Orono

We recognize graduating members at our final meetings of the year with small celebrations, cards, or gifts. We highlight their contributions to the chapter and encourage underclassmen to share messages of appreciation. End-of-year gatherings provide space to celebrate achievements and wish graduates well as they move on to graduate school or professional careers.

Levi Gerbitz
Bob Jones University

One of our chapter’s favorite traditions is celebrating our graduating members. At our end-of-year party, we bring together professors and students to honor our graduates’ accomplishments. Last year, we created a warm, sentimental celebration. Professors and peers filled out “Most Likely To” boards for each graduate, and we passed around cards for professors to write personal messages. My favorite part was the display of photos of the graduates—from childhood through college—around the pavilion. We try to make our end-of-the-year event a meaningful way to honor our graduates and reflect on the connections our members have made in our chapter.

Alexa Stachel
University of Delaware

We heart our seniors! To make sure our seniors feel celebrated and supported in their next steps to becoming an SLP or audiologist, we recognize them in a variety of ways. One way we show some love to our seniors is by hosting a senior send off where we give our graduating members flowers, a handwritten card by undergraduate members, and their cord/stole for graduation! Another way we celebrate our seniors is by posting grad school announcements on our Instagram @udnsslha with their senior photo of choice and the program they are attending. This is a great way for our members to share with friends and family their future plans and recognize their achievements with NSSLHA!

Kumiko Long
Northwestern University

We host a celebratory “Senior Send-Off” event for our graduating members at the end of the year. We always make sure to recognize their amazing achievements and contributions to the NSSLHA-NU community!

Debby Suarez
Arizona State University
We host Fall and Spring banquets for graduating members in our banquet hall. All speech and hearing faculty are invited, and we decorate the space and provide refreshments. Students vote on a faculty member to deliver a speech, and we distribute NSSLHA cords, thank-you cards signed by faculty, and flowers. It’s one of our members’ favorite traditions.

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Strong chapters don’t all look the same—but they do share a commitment to connection, inclusion, and purpose. Whether it’s volunteering together, celebrating milestones, or creating space for member voices, these chapters show that community is built through consistent, intentional efforts.

Looking for ways to put these ideas into action? Explore our chapter event idea bank for inspiration you can adapt to your campus, no matter your chapter size or schedule. Small moments can make a big impact—and your next great community-building event might be just one idea away.

If you’d like to be featured in NSSLHA Roundup, just fill out this simple form to send in your thoughts!