Loyola’s National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing chapter named affiliate of the year

In its inaugural year, Loyola’s chapter of National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) was named affiliate of the year.

The award, presented at the 43rd Annual Convention for NBASLH, recognizes the affiliate that has promoted membership to NBASLH, advocated black speech-language pathologists and audiologists, and disseminated information about NBASLH to the general public.

“We are beyond honored to have received this award,” said Rebecca Saint Paul, ’21, affiliate chapter president, co-founder, and an M.S. candidate in speech-language pathology. “By working together for a greater purpose than ourselves, we accomplished more than we thought we ever would.”

Loyola’s chapter of NBASLH provides mentorship and support to current and incoming Black students in the field of speech-language pathology. NBASLH’s purpose is to serve as advocates for Black individuals and their experiences while pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology, educate Black high school students and families about the speech-language pathology field—specifically the speech and language disorders that affect Black communities in higher proportions, and to establish a network of Black speech-language pathologists from universities to connect, support, and share resources.

“I feel honored and humbled that after only a few months of existence, Loyola’s NBASLH chapter could have such a positive influence not only on the lives of upcoming Black professionals but on the surrounding community,” said Lena Caesar, Ed.D., Ph.D., associate professor of speech-language-hearing sciences and the faculty mentor for NBASLH.

In the future, NBASLH plans on creating a student member grant to offer financial support to graduate student chapter members, engaging in high school outreach to educate and bring awareness to Black high school students and families about the field of speech-language pathology, and organizing additional service trips.

More about NBASLH at Loyola University Maryland

The NBASLH chapter at Loyola is an affinity group for Black students, but anyone is welcome to join at the national level by going to nbaslh.org under the membership tab. For more information, check out NBASLH’s Instagram handle @nbaslhlum and Facebook page at National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing Loyola UMD.