September 2, 2022
For the second consecutive year, both St. John’s University chapters of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) earned Gold Chapter Honors.
The NSSLHA Chapter Honors are awarded to affiliated chapters that demonstrate an outstanding effort to support the association’s mission of inspiration, empowerment, and student support in communication sciences and disorders programs. Chapters that earn Gold Honors have an increased awareness of communication disorders, facilitate vibrant online dialogue in the NSSLHA community, and raise funds for scholarships for students studying the profession.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the Staten Island chapter has earned Gold Honors, and it is the second consecutive year for the Queens chapter. Anthony Novello ’22C served as the Staten Island NSSLHA Chapter President for the 2021–22 academic year with Gary E. Martin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, serving as the faculty advisor.
“I have been so impressed with the work of Anthony and the rest of our 2021–22 Executive Board,” said Dr. Martin. “I applaud their hard work, organizational skills, and dedication to helping people with communication disorders and enhancing the education of all our chapter members. These students faithfully exemplify the Vincentian values of love, respect, and service.”
Hannah McCloskey ’22C served as the Queens NSSLHA Chapter President for the 2021–22 academic year with Mellissa Bortz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, serving as the faculty advisor.
“It was a pleasure to work with the executive board,” said Dr. Bortz. “The chapter worked exceptionally well in an in-person and remote way, ensuring that the active members received a breadth of educational, service, and fun activities.”
The NSSLHA commended the chapters for sharing “the gift of leadership, while demonstrating that the future of the professions is filled with strong leaders who are committed to serving and advocating for their clients.”
Both chapters will receive a recognition ribbon at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention in New Orleans, LA, this November. They will also be featured in the NSSLHA e-newsletter, and on their website and blog