Pictured above: Members of NCCU’s chapter come together for a meeting.

Welcome to this month’s NSSLHA Roundup, where we spotlight the creative, meaningful ways our members are building community. This edition highlights how NSSLHA chapters across the country are helping students feel supported, seen, and connected—from campus traditions and social events to inclusive leadership practices and thoughtful member recognition.

Hear from four National NSSLHA members as they share how they’re fostering a sense of belonging and making their chapters a home for future CSD professionals.

This month, we will be hearing from:

---

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

Alexandra Read
University of Southern California

My favorite event we planned this year was speaking with Abbey and Christine Romeo from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum. We were thrilled to hear first-hand about how speech pathology helped Abbey find her voice. We also enjoyed rooting for our local MLB team at a Dodgers game and learning about the school-to-CF pathway from @speakingofsamantics.

Angel Ngote
North Carolina Central University

The most successful events in building community among cohorts were our NSSLHA Photo Meet & Greet and our recent CF Year Panel. Between Clinical Practicum and Ethics, we hosted a meet and greet with E-Board members and CSD faculty, including our Department Chair, Dr. Grace Hao. Students had the chance to network, laugh, and connect — and we captured the moment with a group photo! Our CF Year Panel was our largest virtual event yet, featuring guest speakers from Duke, Novant Health, and Cole Health, allowing students to bond over future career goals.

Gracie Vokoun
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Our chapter has hosted a variety of events to facilitate member involvement and build a strong culture. We organize on- and off-campus activities, like all-member socials, to help students connect and create a sense of community. This year, we also launched a mentor/mentee program—each executive council member acts as a mentor, sending reminders, invitations, and fostering connections with their group. Another favorite is “The Giving Plate,” where one member passes a plate filled with motivational quotes, supplies, or treats to another member each week. The gesture includes a note explaining why they chose that person. It’s a fun and meaningful way to recognize one another and strengthen community bonds.

Kristyn Carlson
A.T. Still University

We’ve built community through volunteering at various campus and nearby locations, hosting a Head and Neck Screening Event, collecting donations for women’s organizations, running an Assessment Day where second-years support first-years, and offering ASL classes. As president, I make it a priority to attend events that are on campus or support the local community.

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

Alexandra Read
University of Southern California

I regularly reach out to members for input on social media content and offer opportunities for them to contribute to chapter NSSLHA events. We often open events to students who are interested in joining NSSLHA so they can experience our community first-hand.

Angel Ngote
North Carolina Central University

We are intentional about fostering a sense of belonging both in person and online. Our Instagram highlights student achievements and shares encouragement during stressful times like midterms and finals. Our Canvas page acts as a hub for announcements, E-Board contacts, and advocacy efforts. In person, we build relationships through events like Spring Fling and volunteer projects. We also celebrate identity and culture through events like Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and World Down Syndrome Day to ensure every member feels seen and valued.

Gracie Vokoun
University of Nebraska at Omaha

As mentioned earlier, our mentor/mentee program helps new members feel connected to a small group right away. Our executive council also makes a point to welcome new members at volunteer events and meetings. We understand the anxiety of joining a new group, so we go out of our way to start conversations and make everyone feel included. We also participate in diverse volunteer opportunities to promote inclusion and help members of all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging.

Kristyn Carlson
A.T. Still University

At the start of each quarter, we send an email inviting members to share their ideas for NSSLHA activities—volunteering, social events, fundraising, or original concepts. The board reviews and selects events to reflect members’ interests. So far this school year, we’ve successfully implemented most of the ideas provided!

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

Alexandra Read

University of Southern California
I recognize and celebrate our members on Instagram, especially when they accomplish something exciting. My cohort also celebrates birthdays in class, which has helped create a joyful and supportive environment.

Angel Ngote
North Carolina Central University

We focus on building relationships from the beginning. We host welcome events that emphasize mentorship, resource sharing, and connecting with upperclassmen. We provide new member guides, introduce our executive board, and maintain open communication to make sure new members feel informed, supported, and included.

Gracie Vokoun
University of Nebraska at Omaha

We help new members feel connected in a few ways! As mentioned earlier, our executive council greets new members at events and makes sure they feel welcome. We also invite new members to follow our social media accounts and join our Facebook group. Our socials are very personalized—we share member spotlights, birthday shoutouts, Giving Plate features, and upcoming events. We also highlight executive council members so new faces can quickly recognize who’s leading the chapter. Social media helps us stay connected and build that sense of community, even outside of meetings.

Kristyn Carlson
A.T. Still University

Our president and vice president attend orientation to welcome new students. In the first week, we hosted a meet-and-greet event with a fun bingo game to help first- and second-year students connect. We’ve also organized events where second-years mentor first-years by guiding them through tasks they’ll encounter in the workforce. These opportunities help new members feel supported, engaged, and included.

How do you celebrate graduating members?

Alexandra Read
University of Southern California

This year, we hosted a “Farewell Luncheon” with faculty to celebrate our graduating cohort. NSSLHA executive members wrote handwritten cards for past members who helped establish our chapter.

Angel Ngote
North Carolina Central University

We love celebrating our graduates and highlighting their accomplishments! We feature them on social media, sharing future plans and favorite memories. Our Annual Hooding Ceremony is a special tradition where students, faculty, and peers gather to celebrate. First- and third-year members help coordinate the event alongside our advisor. We also display Praxis passers in our Graduate Student Lounge and award cords at graduation for active members. This year, we’re also creating a virtual yearbook to capture senior memories!

Gracie Vokoun
University of Nebraska at Omaha

We spotlight our graduating seniors on social media, sharing a photo, their plans after graduation, and a congratulatory message!

Kristyn Carlson
A.T. Still University

We honor graduating members during our final meeting with personalized acknowledgments and small tokens of appreciation. We also participate in the end-of-year faculty celebration, where second-year members present first-years with a gift to celebrate their first academic year. Our chapter provides graduation cords to second-years to mark this important milestone in their professional journey.

---

No two chapters are the same—but the impact of feeling connected, welcomed, and valued is universal. Whether it’s through small gestures or big traditions, community is built when people show up for each other. We hope these stories spark ideas for how you can continue creating spaces where every CSD student can thrive.

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