Chapter leaders from across the country came together for National NSSLHA’s Chapter Leadership Summit—a virtual event focused on strengthening local chapters, connecting with peers, and preparing for the 2026–2027 school year.

From recruitment and fundraising to advocacy and Chapter Honors, student leaders and professionals shared practical strategies to help chapters build community, support members, and make an impact on campus and beyond.

Watch the full recording below:

Here are the key takeaways:

1. Start the Year With a Clear Plan

A strong year begins with clear goals, early communication, and shared responsibilities. Leaders from the 2025–2026 Chapter of the Year at the University of Utah encouraged chapters to look at what worked well in the past—and what could improve.

For example, if your chapter wants to connect with more first-year students, consider creating a dedicated outreach role, visiting introductory CSD classes, or developing a mentorship program. Delegating responsibilities across the executive board can also help ensure that no one person is carrying the full workload.

Chapters should also stay flexible. Plans may change throughout the year, but a team that communicates regularly and supports one another can adapt successfully.

2. Recruitment Is About Building Community

Recruitment is the foundation of a thriving chapter. Lauryn Mitchell, a past chapter president at Hampton University, shared several approaches that helped her chapter reach new members:

• Participate in campus organization fairs or involvement events.
• Build relationships with faculty and ask to visit introductory classes.
• Encourage current members to invite a friend to meetings or events.
• Use social media to share reminders, event information, and engaging content.
• Connect with students in related majors and pre-health organizations.

One especially effective strategy: have current students personally introduce NSSLHA in early CSD classes. Hearing directly from peers can help new and transfer students see local NSSLHA as both a professional resource and a place to find community.

It is also important to help students understand the distinction between joining a local chapter and becoming a National NSSLHA member. National membership provides access to benefits including scholarship and travel-award eligibility, leadership opportunities, member honors, reduced Convention registration, and the NSSLHA-to-ASHA Conversion Discount.

3. Use Available Resources to Support Your Chapter

National NSSLHA offers resources to help chapters with management, recruitment, programming, and member engagement. The Chapters page is a helpful starting point, with tools and information for chapters at every stage.

Leaders were encouraged to explore downloadable resources, including the 2026–2027 calendar and checklist, flyers, PowerPoints, scholarship information, and materials about member benefits. These can be useful for chapter meetings, bulletin boards, department outreach, and recruitment efforts.

The Chapter Affiliation Form is another essential resource. Chapters should reaffiliate whenever new officers take office to ensure National NSSLHA has accurate leadership contact information. When completing the form, be sure to select the correct chapter type and double-check all email addresses before submitting.

4. Make Events Meaningful—and Keep Fundraising Focused

Community outreach, programming, and fundraising can bring members together while helping chapters serve their communities and support chapter goals.

Katy Jendzurski an Iowa AuD Student State Officer and former local chapter treasurer, encouraged chapters to plan activities around their members’ interests and the populations they hope to serve. Her chapter participated in outreach activities such as sensory-friendly programming, World Hearing Day events, and National Speech-Language-Hearing Day events.

For fundraising, she recommended looking for opportunities that are easy for members to participate in and that offer a clear return to the chapter. Restaurant fundraisers and online fundraising options can be accessible choices, especially for chapters with members who are geographically spread out.

One important reminder: more fundraisers are not always better. Focusing on a few larger, well-promoted fundraisers may create stronger turnout, better results, and more opportunities for members to connect.

5. Advocacy Can Begin With One Simple Action

Advocacy does not have to mean traveling to a state capitol or meeting directly with elected officials—although those can be meaningful experiences. Chapters can start small by learning about advocacy issues, sharing personal stories, inviting legislators to campus, or hosting a letter-writing event.

The new CSD Student Advocacy Hub includes foundational advocacy information, event ideas, scripts, downloadable resources, and tools to help chapters get involved. Members can also use ASHA’s Take Action resources to send personalized messages to federal legislators about issues affecting CSD professionals and the people they serve.

As speakers emphasized, advocacy is a long-term process. Progress may not happen immediately, but students can make a difference by staying informed, sharing their stories, building relationships, and continuing to speak up.

Save the date for Fall Student Advocacy Day on October 22.

6. Organization Helps Chapters Go for Gold

For chapters pursuing Chapter Honors, organization is key. The University of Utah’s student leaders recommended keeping a detailed record of chapter events, outreach, and accomplishments throughout the year. This makes it easier to complete required community posts, prepare Chapter Honors materials, and reflect on your chapter’s impact.

Rather than waiting until the end of the year, designate a consistent person or team to document activities as they happen. Set internal deadlines for posting updates, save event details and photos, and make note of how each activity connects to your chapter’s goals.

Chapter Honors recognizes chapters’ commitments to service, advocacy, scholarship, inclusion, and community. Last year, 108 chapters were recognized through the program.

7. Stay Open, Build Relationships, and Prioritize Yourself

The closing “What I Wish I Knew” panel offered career guidance from Kristin Preuss of AMN Healthcare, Dr. Rachel Glade of the University of Arkansas, and Dr. Akilah Heggs of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Their shared advice for students: you do not need to have every part of your career mapped out right now. Be open to new experiences, ask questions, seek mentors, and explore opportunities that may fall outside of your original plan.

The panelists also emphasized the value of relationship-building. Connecting with faculty, classmates, mentors, state associations, and fellow professionals can lead to learning opportunities and support throughout your career.

Finally, they encouraged students to care for their well-being. A strong work ethic does not require sacrificing your health, relationships, or interests outside of school and work. Building sustainable habits, setting boundaries, and making time for rest can help support a fulfilling career in CSD.

More Resources for Chapter Leaders

• National NSSLHA Chapters
• National NSSLHA Membership
• Chapter Affiliation Form
• Chapter Grants
  Applications are due October 4.
• CSD Student Advocacy Hub
• Fall Student Advocacy Day
• 2026 ASHA Convention and National NSSLHA Events
• National NSSLHA Travel Award
• National NSSLHA Scholarships
  The undergraduate scholarship application opens September 1 for eligible National NSSLHA members who are undergraduate sophomores or juniors.
• Create for National NSSLHA