Learn more about your Region 2, Regional Councilor, MaryKate Harwood:
Academic status: 1st Year Master's student
Major: Speech-Language Pathology
Expected date of graduation: June 2010
University: CUNY Queens College
Areas of professional interest: Child Language/ Language Development
I joined NSSLHA because: I initially joined NSSLHA my sophomore year at Hofstra University to become more involved in the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences department, and to meet other students within the same program of study as myself. Our NSSLHA chapter was always encouraging students to become involved, and they generated an interest within me to pursue membership. The programs the chapter ran were informative and generated a sense of community among both the students and faculty.
After the completion of my sophomore year, the chapter was holding elections for the executive board, and I was elected as the chapter's Treasurer. I was so enthused to be more involved, and able to serve the chapter more effectively as a board member. We were able to get many students involved in the Hofstra community and had an extremely successful year.
After serving as the Hofstra chapter's Treasurer, I was then elected to the position of President for my senior year. Serving as the President, I am more capable to make a difference within the community. Students and faculty come to me with ideas, concerns, and questions, and depend on me to handle the situation accordingly. I hold informational meetings at least once a semester to bring as many Speech-Language-Hearing Science students together as is possible. We go over the semester's calendar as a group, bringing a sense of unity to the department. Students are encouraged to bring ideas with them, and are given the opportunity to present them to the group. As President, I also promote membership, both at the chapter level and national level. I explain to students the advantages to being a member, and present them with the appropriate materials to do so. I have also worked hard to offer more opportunities for community service to the students. We have volunteered our time to visit Kindergarten classes, and have managed a number of book drives, promoting literacy to young children. We also plan to hold a fundraiser to make donations to the "NSSLHA Loves" campaign. We have had a successful year thus far, and I am certain that the spring semester will be as accomplished as the fall.
I applied for a position on the NSSLHA Executive Council because: I applied for a position on the NSSLHA Executive Council because I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as my chapter's President. I want to continue to serve NSSLHA, and as I move onto graduate school I feel that I will be able to contribute positively to the Executive Council team.
I feel I am a strong candidate for a Regional Councilor to serve NSSLHA's Region II. Having served as my chapter's President, I have strengthened my leadership skills, which are crucial to serve a successful term on the NSSLHA Executive Council. I have also been faced with a variety of issues, and have been required to appropriately handle the situations on a professional level.
A Regional Councilor should be committed to NSSLHA's mission, always keeping it in mind while serving on the executive board. I understand that this would involve advocating for students at the national, state, and local levels, along with helping to prepare students entering the professional world of both speech-language pathology and audiology. NSSLHA also works to ease the transition from being a member of the student organization to ASHA, the professional organization. As a member of the Executive Council I will do everything in my power to ensure the mission of NSSLHA is kept cognizant within Region II.
I am willing to serve students on a national level as Regional Councilor. I understand that NSSLHA helps to influence involved students' professional growth, because it has done so for me. NSSLHA has had an enormous impact on my academic and social development within the field, and serving as Regional Councilor will give me the opportunity to help other students in the same way.
During my two-year term on the council, I will be successful if I accomplish: During my two-year term on the council, I will be successful if I accomplish to help in the achievement of the goals set forth by the Executive Council. I understand that the council meets bi-annually to discuss the progress and development of future goals for NSSLHA. I will offer my own ideas based upon my experiences, and the suggestions of the members in Region II, in the assistance of developing the aspirations for the NSSLHA organization.
I think it is important for NSSLHA chapters to work together, nationally, statewide and locally, to ensure each is a success. Sharing ideas about successful programs and encouraging other NSSLHA members to participate in activities and benefits is necessary to ensure increased support among all.
Furthermore, promoting membership to those within my region is important. If the membership of NSSLHA continues to grow, the network of support will grow as well. I think it is also important to research colleges and universities within Region II who have speech-language pathology and/or audiology programs. If the programs do not yet have a NSSLHA chapter, I will discuss the opportunity to develop one and the benefits it could provide to the institution. For NSSLHA to be a success it is crucial that it continues to develop, enhancing the benefits it provides to its large number of members.
Being a successful Regional Councilor involves dutifully ensuring I carryout my responsibilities. As discussed earlier, Regional Counselors are responsible to be a leader for their assigned region, be committed to NSSLHA's mission, and are willing to serve students at the national level. If I can accomplish and maintain these responsibilities, while providing encouragement and support to the chapters within my region, I will be a successful addition to the Executive Council.
My vision for Region 2 is: My vision for my region is to bring forth a sense of community among the chapters, encouraging them to support each other with their programs and activities. I feel it is crucial that the lines of communication are always available and kept open to all members, so that their ideas and concerns can be appropriately addressed if necessary.
I have been a member of Region II since 2006, and now serve as one if it's chapter's Presidents. I understand the responsibilities that go along with being a chapter President, and will be able to effectively encourage others in the same position to ensure their chapters are a success.
If chosen for Regional Councilor, I will also inform the chapters within my region of the strategic plan set forth by the Executive Council. In order for NSSLHA to have a sense of community and accord, everyone within the organization should be on the same page, working towards the same goals and achievements. Informing others of the goals that are presented, and helping in any way possible to support them, is important to ensure the accomplishment of the desired goals of NSSLHA.
Furthermore, if I am given the opportunity to serve on the Executive Council I will commit myself to consistently be a leader, serving students at the national level. I want to help students, promoting their academic and social maturity within the field, similar to the way NSSLHA has helped me. If I am Regional Councilor I will be able to do so more effectively.