IMPACT Program Receives Recognition  From National NSSLHA 

[ROCKVILLE, MD – May 8, 2025] – The IMPACT Program (Innovative Mentoring and Professional Advancement through Cultural Training) has been awarded the 2025 Honors of NSSLHA by the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (National NSSLHA)—an organization of more than 10,000 members studying communication sciences and disorders (CSD), speech-language pathology, and audiology at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels nationwide.   

The Honors of NSSLHA award is presented annually to a person or organization who, through their work with students, has made significant contributions to both the CSD discipline and National NSSLHA. The IMPACT Program received the award for its outstanding commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion within the CSD professions through hands-on mentoring, immersive learning opportunities, and individualized professional development for underrepresented students.

In a letter of recommendation for the award, Peggy B. Nelson, PhD, CCC-A wrote, “Matching of students to research experiences further opens opportunities and new horizons for students. I’ve met several IMPACT students at professional meetings, and they are a testimony to the success of the program.”

Led by Jessica Sullivan, PhD (Hampton University) and Lauren Calandruccio, PhD, CCC-A, and Kristina Bowdrie, AuD, CCC-A, (both of Case Western Reserve University), the IMPACT Program has supported dozens of students across the country in their pursuit of careers in audiology and speech-language pathology, equipping them with tools to grow into confident, purpose-driven professionals.

Each year, the NSSLHA Honors program recognizes outstanding chapters, members, chapter advisors, and organizations that serve the CSD community.

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About NSSLHA   
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (National NSSLHA) is the only national student organization for pre-professionals studying CSD recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Established in 1972, National NSSLHA is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, and supports more than 10,000 members and more than 340 chapters at colleges and universities nationwide.

About the IMPACT Program
IMPACT (Innovative Mentoring and Professional Advancement through Cultural Training) is a collaborative program dedicated to increasing diversity and representation in the CSD field. Through mentoring, community building, and research opportunities, IMPACT empowers underrepresented students in audiology and speech-language pathology to grow into future leaders within the profession.