We need your help selecting National NSSLHA’s next student leaders!
The Executive Council is pleased to present the slate for the Executive and Regional Council candidates during the 2019-2021 term. Please check out the candidates’ bios below, then vote for who you think would best represent you!
President-Elect (SLP)
Jordan Girola
California State University, Chico | Speech-Language Pathology
“Through serving as NSSLHA’s SLP SSO in California, I’ve learned how significant it is for audiologists and speech-language pathologist to collaborate and maintain successful working relationships. It’s equally as important for students from both fields to advocate for our future professions at the federal level. As SSO, I connected chapters throughout California to meet these goals. I would love the opportunity to use my experience and skills to make an impact on a larger scale. I’m passionate about NSSLHA and the good work it represents!”
Roberto Villalta
California State University, Los Angeles | Speech-Language Pathology
“As president, I would collaborate with students nationally, continue NSSLHA’s efforts of increasing diversity in the professions, and unite students within the audiology and speech-language pathology fields. As a Latino male, I strongly believe I can help bridge the gap and help increase awareness of NSSLHA to more minority groups. I’d also like to find ways for NSSLHA to collaborate with other organizations, like the Student Academy of Audiology. I believe we can come together to spread awareness of (and advocate for) our professions. This role is an opportunity to listen to and address the issues students face.”
Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy
Natalie Sfeir
University of Texas at Austin | Speech-Language Pathology
“I consider myself a champion of advocacy. In our fields, advocacy plays a pivotal role, as it emphasizes the best care and services that clients deserve. As the SLP SSO in Texas, I brought chapters together to submit hundreds of letters to legislators through ASHA’s Take Action website. I also worked with the Texas Speech Hearing Association (TSHA) to have my university’s chapter attend their Capitol Visit Day, where we spoke with district representatives on issues that our professions face. I look forward to setting advocacy goals at the national level to increase students’ advocacy efforts.”
Vice President for Planning
Alison Dungca
San Francisco State University | Speech-Language Pathology
“This role identifies the issues and needs of speech-language pathology and audiology students across the country. I feel it’s important for NSSLHA to stay true to its values, especially as a national organization that’s a role model for chapters nationwide. I’m really interested in addressing multicultural issues and advocating for minorities and underrepresented populations within NSSLHA’s programs. I’ve been dedicated to increasing cultural awareness within my CSD department and throughout my campus. I believe I can bring a fresh perspective to tackling multicultural issues and how we can raise awareness.”
Kendall Finch
California State University, East Bay | Speech-Language Pathology
“I would be proud to help NSSLHA members prepare for their academic and professional careers by facilitating a wide diversity of educational experiences. My experience on an aphasia research team, as a volunteer working with deaf and hard of hearing children, and as a trans voice therapy client has greatly broadened my own view of the field. As VP for Planning, I would work hard to help my fellow NSSLHA members gain this wider perspective as well, with an emphasis on programs that allow students to become more familiar with the needs of and issues facing cultural and linguistic minority groups.”
Vice President for Programming (SLP)
Ashley Patrick
Valdosta State University | Communication Disorders
“As vice president of the University of Georgia’s NSSLHA chapter, I helped students meet their goals through finding guest speakers and founding a volunteer program for observation hours. I also served my state’s advocacy board, GSHA, on multiple committees. I believe in the importance of networking with professionals, but I think it’s equally important to get to know your classmates. They’re your future colleagues and ASHA Board members. Camaraderie is key for success in any profession. In this role, I’d help plan NSSLHA events that are centered around building community within chapters and with our peers and professionals across the country.”
Rebecca Willer
University of Wisconsin, Madison | Speech-Language Pathology
“As NSSLHA’s AuD SSO for Wisconsin, I collaborated with students and professionals across the country—from both audiology and speech-language pathology professions—to further NSSLHA’s mission and vision. I brought chapters together to fundraise for causes related to CSD, participated in federal and state-wide advocacy efforts, executed events at high schools to promote diversity. In other leadership positions on campus, I planned weekly events and a 3-day leadership conference held each semester. In this role, my goal is to advocate for students’ needs and plan NSSLHA events that will promote inclusion, diversity, and community.”
Vice President for Student State Officers (AuD)
Adrienne Graves
Indiana University | Audiology
“In this role, I hope to inspire other students to become more engaged with NSSLHA. As an experienced organizer and peer leader, I am well-suited to understanding the needs and expectations of my fellow audiology students, and plan to identify and implement opportunities for their voices to be heard at a national level. My experience as a liaison between individuals and government-run programs would help me connect students with organizational resources available to them through NSSLHA. My goals are to coordinate NSSLHA student involvement and streamline communication between local, state, regional, and executive leadership.”
Central Regional Councilor
Karlie Mayer
Minnesota State University | Speech-Language Pathology
“I believe my experience as the SLP SSO for Minnesota, as well as president of my NSSLHA chapter, has given me the background I need to be a regional councilor (RC). Working with chapters across my state, I’ve learned to organize and share information in a way that’s easy to understand, communicate with professionals, and provide support to chapters (especially those who were applying for Chapter Honors for the first time!). NSSLHA believes in supporting CSD students throughout their education and into their professions. I believe I can be the vehicle that provides this support. The current Central RC has become a tremendous mentor of mine. I hope to be that mentor for others through NSSLHA and this position.”
Kaylee Genzel
Illinois State University | Speech-Language Pathology
“As vice president of my university’s NSSLHA chapter, I was responsible for collaborating with the Student Academy of Audiology to plan and execute the logistics for the CSD department’s annual banquet. I was also in charge of providing volunteer opportunities for our members—getting them involved in our local community. These collaborative efforts would support my responsibility as a regional councilor—bringing together Student State Officers and chapters across the Central region.”
Southern Regional Councilor
Melissa Schenley
University of South Florida | Audiology
“I was actively involved in the NSSLHA chapter at my undergraduate university and was also one of NSSLHA’s AuD SSO in Florida. These experiences provided me a community that I called my family. In the Southern RC role, I look forward to further building connections between the southern states, chapters, and members; as well as help SSOs expand the chapters in their state. My goal will be to allow SSOs in my region to have their voices be heard. I believe it will be an asset to the SSOs in the southern region to have an RC whose been in their shoes.”
This vote is open to National NSSLHA members only. Please vote between June 3-14. Those elected will serve a 2-year term beginning July 1, 2019.