Grad School Panel 10-23-12

Hey everyone!

We had 3 great schools attend our grad school panel! We definitely learned a lot about each program. Read about them and see if any interest you! :)

UT – Austin
• Audiiology student and SLP student
• Study a lot more, more reading
• Graduate courses – 1 or 2 big projects/papers instead of lots of homework and busy work
• Balancing is hardest (work, clinic)
• App process – standout of crowd, volunteer
o Statement of purpose – give yourself a deadline, let others read it, do not use words: passionate/passion,
o Make it easy for people that are writing letters of rec.
 Get everything to them at once
• GRE – don’t look at writing sample
• SLP – 1st year – more concentration on classes
o 2nd year – more time working with clients
• Aud – 1st year is 15  hours of clinic a week seeing patients, 12 hours of classes each semester
o Going off campus – work with ppl in community
o Overall idea is to get quicker at doing audiograms and hearing tests
• Research based, is this true? – disagree, very clinical, in clinic all the time
• aalopez@utexas.edu (SLP student)
• 88sarahwilliams@gmail.com (Aud student)
UNT – Brittney
• Denton, TX (30 min from Fort Worth)
• 5 semester program
• Last 2 semesters: off-site practicum)
• 1st 3 semester are on on-campus clinic
• Clinic based
• Large focus on voice and aphasia research
• 1st semester – more supervision
• Financial aid – scholarships, assistantships, research assistants, TA
• Admissions – avg. 30-40 people
o Avg.  GPA 3.6-3.7
 Take anything from 3.2 and higher
o GRE – above 50th percentile as competitive
o GRE DOES NOT define whole application
o Apply Texas app.
o 3 letters of rec.
 Preferred: professor/employer in field
 2nd preferred: professor in other field
 Do not want to receive from friend or neighbor
o Personal statement
o Transcript
• Volunteer!!
• Degree plan: if you chose to go more research you can do independent study/thesis
Texas Women’s U
• 2 programs
• Onsite and TETN
• Onsite program
o Has Dallas and Denton campus  (do major course work there)
o Start practicum 1st semester, all the way through every semester
o Have option to do an extra hour of dysphasia
o More hands-on practicum
o Offer extra supervisor class (optional)
o Offer a slow track (less classes so that you can work) and fast track
 Normal track is 6 semester (Fall, Spring, Summer)
 Slow track is maybe 2-3 semesters longer
• Admissions (same for both programs):
o Minimum 3.0, expect higher (3.6)
o Competitive GRE scores
o Weigh out all options
o Often do personal interviews
• Research: stroke center in Dallas
o 1 semester is required to go through stroke center
o Language based, child-based research
o Dysphasia
• Have class that is just for Praxis review
• Employment rates: always jobs in schools, skilled nursing, and home health
o Be open to jobs that are not always your first choice
• TETN – targeted for students that want to work in school
o Apply for grad school program and work as assistant at school
o Elementary/secondary
o Schools serve as practicum
o About 300 application/accept 100-110
o Same app process as on-site
o On-campus for a week, the rest of time you will be at regent center

3rd Meeting - Austin Speech Labs

Hey everyone!!!!

Thank to everyone that made it out the meeting! Austin Speech Labs came and talked to us about what they do, what kinds of patients they see, and volunteer opportunities! As always, they're speakers and  inspirational stories reminded all of us why we love our major so much! :)

AUSTIN SPEECH LABS
• Non-profit org that provides intense speech therapy for stroke survivors
• Most patients receive therapy 3 days a week for 3 hours
• 2 patients gave us their stories about how Austin Speech Labs helped them recover and regain their speech, even after receiving poor prognoses from doctors. Their stories were so amazing and inspirational to us all.
• 2 SLPAs and 1 volunteer spoke to us about how rewarding it is to work/volunteer there and see how patients improve so much in such a little bit amount of time
• In order to volunteer: email – staff@austinspeechlabs.org
o Looking for volunteers for this semester!
o 6 week sessions available as well starting in Nov.
o Email them with days and times you are available
o Most shifts are from 9am-12pm or 1-4pm
o There are also summer opportunities available.

• BE SURE TO LIKE AUSTIN SPEECH LABS ON FACEBOOK!! 


Announcements
• Wear NSSLHA shirt to next meeting for group photo!
• Oct. 18th next social from 6-8pm!!!
o Game night at the Block (details have been sent in an email)
o Bring some games you might want to play! (Wii games, board games)

9-25-12 meeting Capitol School of Austin

Hey everyone!

Thanks to all of those who made it out to our second meeting. We had guest speakers from the Capitol School of Austin. They discussed their how their program works, what type of benefits they provide to children and their families, and volunteer opportunities.

Introduction
• Non-profit org
• Capitol school program
• Evaluation and therapy clinic
o Meets needs of families in Austin area
o Tutoring
o Reading
o Educational testing
Program overview
• Pre-K – 4th grade
• Therapist led
• Low student teacher ratios
o One-on-one teaching
o Have assistants and volunteers in all classes
• Individual treatment plans
• Leveled class approach
• Specialized assistants
• Occupational therapy
Volunteer opportunities
• Visit capitolschool.com
• Attend monthly Visitors’ Day
o Tour of school
o Sit it in 2 classrooms
• Contact Capitol School at (512) 467-7006
• To volunteer: email – jyoung@capitolschool.com
• There are still about 5-6 spots open for volunteers this semester!!!

REMINDER:
 ***There is an upcoming social this Saturday, Sept. 29 at Dave and Bussters off of Mopac and 183 at 6pm! Be sure to sign up on the google doc if you need a ride!

WELCOME to NSSLHA!!!! 

Thanks to everyone that came to our first meeting and to our first social of the semester. The meeting was very informational! We we over our plans for the semester, membership requirements, introduced our very own officers, faculty advisers, and our CSD Department Chair

Membership Requirements:

Dues: $30 for the year

          $25 for the Fall semester only

          Due by the third meeting!

          T-shirts are included with dues and will be here next meeting!

          Online members can visit Hayden on Mon. Sept. 17 from 3-5

     and on Tue. Sept. 18 from 12-2 at the BMC 

2 fundraisers per semester

2 socials per semester

2 service points per semester

T-Shirts:

We will be selling old NSSLHA t-shirts on Mon. Sept. 17 form 3-5 and on Tues. Sept. 18 from 12-2 at the BMC. They will be between $1-$5.

Letters for Dr. Matyear:

As many of you know, Dr. Matyear is undergoing chemo. Thank you to everyone who has written her a card. We are sure they will cheer her up! Online members can submit their cards to Hayden on Mon. Sept. 17 from 3-5 or Tues. Sept. 18 from 12-2 at the BMC.

Upcoming events:

Fundraiser: Bakesale! 

Sept. 25 from 9:15am-2pm at CMA Plaza

Sept. 26 from 9:45 am-2pm at CMA Plaza

Work a shift for an hour= 1 point

Bring a baked good= 1 point

Can earn up to 4 points!!

Social: Dave and Busters!

Sept. 29 at 6pm

Stay one hour to earn social point. Be sure to sign in with an officer!!

We also introduced:

Dr. Champlin - CSD Department Chair

Dr. Davis - CSD professor and NSSLHA adviser

Dr. Franco - CSD professor and NSSLHA adviser (could not make it to the meeting)

Upcoming Meetings:

9/25: Guest speakers from Capitol School of Austin

10/9: Guest speakers from Austin Speech Labs

10/23: Grad School Panel

Please let me know if you need to be an online member if you haven't already!

Looking forward to great semester!! :)

End of the Year Banquet

Thanks to everyone who came to the banquet tonight! It was some great food and a great time! It's been an amazing year, and I hope you all have had a wonderful experience with NSSLHA. Next year is going to be even bigger and better. Have a safe and fun summer!

PS Here is a link to the pictures from CIKD.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79394123@N02/sets/72157629887333889/

NSSLHA Meeting 4/24 - Officer Elections

It’s election season! Here are the candidates for each position, and the speeches they shared in meeting. Online members and those who missed meeting please email me with your vote! We need as many votes to make it easy. Thanks everyone! Bake Sale tomorrow and don't forget about banquet next Tuesday!!!!!!

Speeches

-       Secretary

Nguygen Dinh

Hello all,

You may be wondering who this awkward girl standing before you is.  Allow me to introduce myself, muahahaha! My name is Nguyen Dinh, & I’m a dual major in SLP & Psychology.

             Since adding SLP as a major, I have come to love it so much & want to give back to it by running for secretary of NSSLHA. I used to be a piano player, so I have thunder fingers that can type at the speed of lightning-so you can bet that minutes will be recorded!

In all seriousness though, I feel that I have had many experiences that could help me thrive in this position. 

·      I was secretary of my pledge class & was responsible for distributing information to the girls.

·      I work in the College of Liberal Arts Student Division and was responsible for recording minutes my first semester of employment. As an employee there, I have to handle a lot of confidential information so being organized is a must. I also do a lot of clerical work, process forms, and record information in the database.

·      When working on projects with group members, I typically volunteer to send emails to people & I like acting as the liaison between the group I’m a part of & external organizations.       

            This past semester, I haven’t been really active just because of the mass plethora of classes I was taking and the fact that I work part time and had many organizational commitments. Next semester, I am taking less hours & feel that I can be more active in NSSHLA. I hope to make NSSHLA a more organized & fun organization that people will be a part of because they enjoy coming to meetings (rather than an organization people want to be a part of because they believe it’ll look good on their resume-if you know what I mean). Thanks, and I hope that you will trust in me to be your secretary for next year!!

Natalia Rodriguez

Hi everyone! My name is Natalia Rodriguez and I'm currently a junior here. I would love to continue being an officer for NSSLHA because I enjoy being in leadership positions and I love being involved in the university and the overall CSD community. I enjoy the opportunities that NSSLHA has provided me and I would love to help provide the same opportunities to other students. I've always been involved in organizations college. I would specifically like to be secretary because I am very organized and I would love to have my organization skills excel through this organization. I currently work as a receptionist and I am in charge of sending emails to employees and fixing up the worker's schedules. I will aim to make a clearer point system. I want the members to know exactly how many points they have without having to sent emails wondering and having to wait until the secretary responds. Overall, I want to make NSSLHA more organized and welcoming to the members, with regards to points. Please give me this opportunity to continue being a leader and a voice for the organization. Thank you. 

-       Treasurer

Analea Gutierrez

Good afternoon NSSLHA members,

     My name is Analea Gutierrez and I am a 2^nd year.   I have been an active member since fall 2011 and I was accepted into the CSD major this semester (Spring 2012).  I have really enjoyed being a member of NSSLHA and hope to be able to have a larger role in this organization.  This is why I want to run for treasurer.  Some of you may be thinking, what makes me qualified for this position.  Well I can easily tell you.  I am not only responsible, but I took accounting last semester and I am currently enrolled finance.  I can honestly say that these have been two of my favorite classes. I hope to use the knowledge and skills I’ve gained from these classes as treasurer.   I also promise to put my full effort with every task I am given and keep everyone informed about the funds we earn.  I hope the odds will be ever in my favor and you will vote for me, Analea.

Hayden Lambert

Hi, you guys! I’m Hayden Lambert, and I am a second-year Speech-Language Pathology major. I have been a member of NSSLHA for the past two semesters, and I would really like to get more involved, so I am running for the office of Treasurer. I know I would be a great fit for this position because I am very organized and great at staying on top of my responsibilities. I have already contacted Megan Watson, the current Treasurer, to ask about the various responsibilities of this position, which include working on the budget, keeping track of expenditures, making deposits, and applying for grants from the Communication Council, and I know I am well equipped to accomplish all of these tasks. I also have experience working in an office environment and handling money, which I think, combined with my other traits, makes me a great candidate for this position. Thank you for your consideration!

-       Service Chair

Rebecca Lee - unopposed

Hello, my name is Rebecca Lee. Unlike most members of NSSLHA, I am not a CSD major and am actually a biochemistry and pre-med major who happens to be extremely interested in ears and the process of hearing. In the past, I had the privilege of shadowing an ENT (ear, nose, throat doctor) who worked with cochlear implants as well audiologists and speech pathologists at Texas Children’s Hospital. This semester, I am enrolled in the IE Pre-Grad internship with Michelle Hsieh, Au.D. and Craig Champlin, Ph.D. as my mentors. Through this program, I was even able to attend the American Academy of Audiology conference in Boston about a month ago.

I have really enjoyed being a part of this organization from volunteering at Cochlear Implant Kid’s Day to making and decorating cupcakes for the bake sale. I would like to run for an officer position because I feel that I can contribute to moving NSSHLA forward even further. Some of my ideas for service activities in addition to CIKD are volunteering as a group at the Texas School for the Deaf and Austin Speech Labs as well as organizing a hearing loss prevention campaign on campus and in the community. We can carry out these events according to already established recognitions such as May which is Better Hearing and Speech Month and October which is National Protect Your Hearing Month. In terms of publicity, I think it would beneficial for NSSHLA to host a lecture series that features CSD professors and practicing professionals, so that the public can learn more about the CSD field as well. Another thought I had was to tour the audiology and/or speech pathology departments in local hospitals or in private clinics around Austin. I hope my ideas sound promising and have the potential to make NSSLHA an even better organization. Thanks!

-       Fundraising Chair

Natalia Rodriguez

Hi everyone! My name is Natalia Rodriguez and I'm currently a junior here. I would love to continue being an officer for NSSLHA because I enjoy being in leadership positions and I love being involved in the university and the overall CSD community. I enjoy the opportunities that NSSLHA has provided me and I would love to help provide the same opportunities to other students. I've always been involved in organizations college. Please give me this opportunity to continue being a leader and a voice for the organization. Thank you. 

Alexa Pawlowski

Hey everyone! My name is Alexa Pawlowski and I've been an active member of NSSLHA since Fall of my freshman year. I am a 3rd year Audiology major and currently Historian of NSSLHA. I have lots of ideas for fundraisers and would like to schedule all of the fundraisers at the beginning of the semester so we can have a calendar with events. I think this would help give people more opportunities to get their fundraiser points and become active members. I've enjoyed being an officer this past year and have learned so much about leadership in NSSLHA. Thanks!

-       Publicity Chair

Doris Kisel - unopposed

Hi my name is Doris Kisel.   I’m currently NSSLHA’s Publicity Chair, and I’m running to get re-elected for next year.   As Publicity Chair, I built and managed the club’s website, making sure it was always updated with our current news and events.  I also cared for NSSLHA’s facebook page, creating events for our meetings and fundraisers and answering questions members posted on its wall or directing them to whichever officer could help them best when I didn’t know the answer to their inquiries.  I also created flyers for our events and posted them around the CMA.  I built relationships with our advisors, departmental professors, and staff at the clinic and CSD office, keeping them up to date with events we were hosting.  I really enjoyed getting to know you, the members or this club, either in person or through questions you e-mailed me with.  I’m very organized, responsible, and love to help, so if you like the way I handled NSSLHA’s publicity this past year, please vote for me again.  Thank you.

-       Historian

Shelby Crooks

Hi my name is Shelby Crooks and I am running to be your Historian. I want to be historian because I really enjoy photography and play with it a lot in my free time. I was in photography all through high school and have been historian in a few clubs and I have really enjoyed it. Along with having some advanced equipment that would make taking pictures even more fun I am usually at most of the events and would do a great job of documenting all the cool things we do here in NSSHLA. I feel like I have not seen a camera much at our events and I want to change that and see that all of the good that we do can be captured and shared with others.

Thanks so much.

Alexa Pawlowski

Hey everyone! My name is Alexa Pawlowski and I'm a soon to be senior Audiology major. I am the current Historian running to be Historian again. I love taking pictures and consider photography like my undeclared minor. I have taken several photography classes here at UT and will be taking a Documentary Photography in Prague this summer. I was also an official photographer for SXSW this year which was an awesome experience. I just got a new DSLR for my birthday and several lenses that I can't wait to use! As Historian next year I'd love to add pictures to our blog so all of the online members can see what's going on!

NSSLHA 4/10/12 - Important Info READ ALL

Austin Speech Labs - Read Announcements at Bottom!
- They are a nonprofit who provide therapy services to stroke survivors and patients who have suffered brain injury to help them regain their speech, language, and social lives.
- They are doing a service to people who are motivated to improve but may lack the opportunity to continue therapy.
- They offer a place to come together and share their experiences.
- They do group sessions, individual sessions, and telecommute therapy.

- After a stroke, a patient may receive therapy for about 6 months but individuals whose insurance has run out or who don't have insurance can go to Austin Speech Labs to receive therapy services for $10 an hour.
- They have speech therapy services and do special boot camps that run for 8 weeks and can be a few days a week for 3 hours a day.

- Austin Speech Labs had 3 of their patients join us and tell us their stories. Their testimonials were amazing and we learned so much! Their prognoses were poor but thanks to Austin Speech Labs they broke the boundaries and are still improving many years after their strokes.

- Volunteers always needed! They have programs that run in the summer in June and July. Email Shelley at shelley@austinspeechlabs.org. Let her know if you are interested. They are on Facebook and you can find them at www.austinspeechlabs.org. During the school year, they usually have shifts 9-12 or 1-4. There should be a form up on their website for volunteering etc.
- There is typically group sessions and volunteers are paired with a client within that group. The supervisors walk around and help out. Great opportunity!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Fundraiser - Bake Sale April 24th (CMA Plaza) and 25th (West Mall) 9:00 am-2:00pm
- Google doc will be sent out to sign up for shifts and baked items to bring. (1 pt. for hour shift, 1pt. for item)
Social - 1. Amy's Ice Cream on Guad (This Thurs. April 12 @ 6:30-8:00)
2. Dave & Busters (Next Wed. April 18 @ 7:00) officers are driving and picking up in front of Littlefield Fountain
3. Game Night (Wed. April 25 6:00-8:00 location TBA)

Banquet is May 1st 5:00 RSC 2.104 - Respond to evite!

OFFICER ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD NEXT MEETING April 24!
Positions:
Secretary
Treasurer
Social
Fundraising
Publicity
An email will come with steps to be taken if you would like to run.

NSSLHA Meeting 3/27/12

COCHLEAR IMPLANT KIDS DAY

When: April 21, 2012 10:00-2:00 pm
Where: Rec Center on campus Rooms 2.104 & 2.112
Why: A day of fun and friendship for children with cochlear implants and their families!

How you can help: 1.) You can sign up to be on a committee to help with preparation of the games and entertainment. 2.) You can sign up to come to CIKD and help work the booths.
- You can do both! Being on a committee = 1 pt. Each hour at CIKD = 1 pt.
- If you have any ideas for food/entertainment/prizes - email an officer!
- Here is the google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PejxH8nTmPBD68TQvv_p4cPHQP-x9z1YbzTK3ceNrj0/edit

Other NSSLHA news:
SOCIAL @ Juciy Tart
- This Thursday March 29 from 6:30-8:00
- Come for an hour and sign up with Shannon for a social point!
FUNDRAISER @ Juicy Tart
- Go to Juicy Tart anytime until March 31
- Tell them you are with NSSLHA and save your receipt to give to Natalia!

Mark your calendars:
END OF THE YEAR BANQUET
- Probably the best night of the year.
- When: May 1 @ 5:00
- Where: Rec Center
- Food: Salt Lick OMG

Hope everyone has a great week!

NSSLHA Meeting 2/28/12

Texas Speech and Hearing Association (TSHA) Convention

Where: San Antonio, TX
When: March 8-10 (1st weekend of Spring Break)

Details:
- Cost: $75 - (reimbursed by NSSLHA if you attend 4 of the info sessions)
- Hotel arrangements are being made, so let Lauren know if you are coming to TSHA by TONIGHT! lbacom@hotmail.com
- The sessions give lots of info on things going on in the field of CSD and what SLPs and Audiologists are doing in their practices, in research, and in their communities.
- It is incredibly informative!!!
-If you are going to TSHA we will meet NEXT Tuesday March 6 in UTC 3.134

Announcements:
- Dues were due at this meeting
- Explore UT is this Saturday

NSSLHA Meeting 2/14/12

Announcements: Fundraiser/Social this Thursday @ Pluckers! 6-midnight!

At meeting we had 2 representatives from Bilinguistics come by and tell us about their practice and about being bilingual in communications sciences and disorders...

Biliguistics

- Started in 2002

- Provide service to bilingual children and families

@ Mopac and Spicewood Springs

- Have 7 therapy rooms

** If you are interested in observation or volunteering they would love to have you!

Direct Services:

- School Districts

- Early Childhood Intervention Programs

- Clinic

- Home-based services

Some of the things they do:

- Early childhood intervention services – mostly home-based

- School services

- Continuing education courses

- SMILE Publication

- Marketing – they have facebook, twitter, and slideshare

- Research

- SMILE Preschool initiated

- Lit Kits – draws in reading to the therapy sessions, homeworks and pre-reading activities that encompass morphology, syntax, semantics etc.

- The State of Texas Autism Project

- State of Texas ECI Training on Bilingualism

- IPAD App – Bilingual and Phonology Assessment (BAPA)

- Austin SMILES – they have teamed up with a nonprofit here in Austin that does cleft palate surgeries in Nicaragua, El Salvador, And Guatemala – help set up a plan for those children – there is an endowment at UT to send masters students on the trips

Additional Info:

• Work in homes and schools
• Have developed their own materials
• Have done research with Dr. Byrd
• there is no bilingual certification in the state of TX, but currently there is a set of standards issued by TSHA (native or near native proficiency, and awareness of cultural differences and development)
• They also serve languages other than Spanish – 8 different languages last year – they use interpreters.
• Here at UT Liz Pena, Lisa Bedore, and Li Sheng are all doing research concerning bilingualism.
• School of Kinesiology and School of Education are both doing work with Autism and bilingualism.

Some of the continuing education courses:

- Live workshops for : School districts, TX regional education services centers, ECI Programs, Private clinics

- Boot camp on Bilingualism and Multiculturalism

- Presentations at TSHA

- Online Continuing Education Courses

- Wednesday Webinars

Biliguistics.com

- a ton of resources to look through

NSSLHA Meeting 1/31/12

Welcome back NSSLHAers!

Our first meeting of the semester was an informational one about the organization and our plans for the spring semester. We introduced all of our lovely officers and their positions. If you are a new member for spring make sure to pay your $25 dues to Megan by the 3rd meeting and get your tshirt! I (Sarah) will email out the info sheet that I passed around today at meeting explaining the point system etc.

Things to look forward to in the spring:

- Great speakers at meetings! ex. Bilingual SLP, Capitol School Rep

- Texas Speech and Hearing Association Convention in San Antonio - March 8-10

- Cochlear Implant Kids Day

- Lots of tubular socials, fundraisers, and service opportunities!

- End of the year banquet

Upcoming Dates:

- February 16: Fundraiser at Pluckers on Rio Grande. Come any time 6:00 pm - 12 midnight! Tell your server that you are with NSSLHA and keep your receipt to give to Natalia for fundraiser pt. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone and come 6:00-7:30 and stick around for an hour for a social pt. with Lauren.

Reminder: To be considered active you must attend 2 socials, 2 services, 2 fundraisers, and ALL meetings. Most active member gets a prize! Let me know if you NEED to be and online member.

Let's make this the best semester ever! Go CSD!