A note from Student Board Member, Cynthia Kuhn

Hi there! My name is  Cynthia Kuhn, but most people call me Cyndi. I look forward to the year ahead as the new graduate student board member for MSHA. I am currently a graduate student in the speech-language pathology program at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in Warrensburg. At UCM, I am the president of our NSSLHA Chapter, a member of DEI, and involved in numerous research activities. I am pleased to have the opportunity to get to know, work with, and learn from the other MSHA board members at MSHA sponsored activities.  I have been a student member of MSHA for 2 years now and am delighted with all the resources, networking possibilities, and newsletters that it provides, for both students and certified SLPs. MSHA will continue to update the website, making it more user friendly and informative. Please take the time to visit the website and learn more about what MSHA has to offer you!

MSHA annual student membership is $15 and can be submitted online by clicking here or with a Printable Membership Form. I hope that you take advantage of this amazing networking source by joining today!

Every fall, MSHA holds an annual workshop in Columbia, MO. The date for this year’s workshop is October 21st-22nd, 2011. Every spring, MSHA holds an annual convention at Tan-Tar-A in the Ozarks. The date for this years convention is April 13th – 15th, 2012. Be sure to mark your calendars and save the date! During the convention, many exciting events take place for students to network with other professionals and companies, learn and share new ideas, and participate in sessions about the latest trends in the profession. As always, the Quest for the Cup competition takes place on Saturday evening, which always promises a packed house of students, faculty, and alumni from each University in Missouri. Each university selects a team of five students that compete by answering questions that test their knowledge of speech, language, and hearing. Who will be the champions this year? Why not make this year special and join in the festivities and take full advantage of all the convention has to offer you! Hope to see everyone there!

I am delighted to work with the members of board on making this year not only successful but also one to remember. Please feel free to email me with any questions, concerns, or ideas pertaining to student involvement in MSHA! I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you at the fall workshop and/or the spring convention. If not, I hope to hear from you! Get involved and enjoy the year ahead!

Cynthia Kuhn
MSHA Student Board Representative
cmk97910@ucmo.edu

Minority Student Leadership Program

Do you sometimes feel lost and uncertain about your future in the field?  Well the Minority Student Leadership Program may be the answer for you!  This program offers mentoring for ethnic/minority students by professionals who are aware of the potential challenges and continued benefits of being a part of the speech-language pathology and audiology profession.  Minority students are given the chance to explore, partake, and experience activities that are intended to assist in the development of leadership skills.  The student is not the only beneficiary in this program; mentors are provided the opportunity to impart knowledge and experience to students while aiding in the enhancement of their management skills.  This program provides MSHA with a valuable method for maintaining a connection with these future professionals as, students, MSHA members and ultimately, leaders within the state organization.  An online application and Statement of Commitment form can be found at by clicking here.

The deadline for submission is February 6, 2012.

Please feel free to share any thoughts and suggestions for student involvement in MSHA with me!

Cynthia Kuhn
MSHA Student Board Representative
cmk97910@ucmo.edu

What can a MSHA Student Membership do for you?
Join today and recieve the following benefits:

• LEGISLATIVE VOICE The voices of MSHA members DO count! MSHA is active in legislative issues affecting our professions.
• REGISTRATION FEES All MSHA-sponsored workshops throughout the state, including Annual Convention, Issues & Answers for school SLPs, plus many other workshops are offered to members with a substantial savings on registration fees.
• LOW COST BENEFITS MSHA dues are much lower than other state associations. Lower dues, reduced registration, newsletters, and an on-line directory, your membership actually pays for itself!
• MSHA TOLL FREE NUMBER The MSHA Central Office has a Toll-Free number for members to call with questions or to receive information. The number is (888) SAY-MSHA 729-6742.
• MSHA NEWSLETTER The latest and most up-to-date information on MSHA activities, job opportunities, news from ASHA, the Missouri Legislature, DESE, regional associations, Missouri Universities, and other agencies.
• MSHA WEBSITE Has up-to-date information on MSHA activities, job opportunities, news from ASHA, the Missouri Legislature, DESE, regional associations, Missouri universities and other agencies.
• PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Membership in your state association is your commitment to maintain a high level of standards. As a member this may benefit you professionally through career ladder, employee evaluations, or career advancements.
• NETWORKING AND LEADERSHIP Members are encouraged to join a committee of interest, contact state legislators, show their presence at the capitol for Legislative Day, offer expertise for any projects sponsored by MSHA, run for an office of the Executive Board, or simply submit an article for the newsletter.
• MSHA MEMBER AND RESOURCE DIRECTORY MSHA provides an online directory to its members.

Student Convention Scholarship Fund

MSHA strives to provide current and future professionals with the means to achieve their professional goals.  The economy has placed a constant struggle on individuals throughout the state, especially students trying to further their education.  Therefore, MSHA is offering nine (9) Student Convention Scholarships for the 2012 MSHA Convention scheduled for April 13–15 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri. This scholarship covers the registration fee and two night’s of lodging.

Please keep in mind the guidelines for this scholarship before applying. Winners are required to:

1. Be a MSHA member
   • If you are not a member or need to renew your membership, you can do so online or by mailing a membership form to the Central Office.
2. Volunteer at least 3-5 hours during the Convention
3. Attend the President’s Luncheon on Saturday afternoon

Entries must be submitted no later than March 2, 2012.
Click here for an on-line submission form.

SWAPS: Helping Students Build their Resource Libraries!

Are those old professional materials stuck on your shelves and taking up space but you just can’t handle throwing them away?  Thinking that even though they are old they still have some good use, but not sure where that use is?  I have a wonderful solution for you to free up some needed shelf space!  Please join MSHA by participating in the 3rd annual SWAPS event at the 53rd annual MSHA Convention.  SWAPS was designed to give Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists the opportunity to provide old therapy materials to undergraduate and graduate students currently involved in the communication disorders program.  Student convention attendees will have the chance to shop through the materials during the Friday evening social on April 13th. 
Please bring all those unwanted therapy materials, tests, and textbooks with you to the convention to help students establish their resource libraries.  These items may be dropped off at the MSHA registration desk upon your arrival to Tan-Tar-A.  Thank you for your generosity and support of future professionals!

Any undergraduate or graduate students that are interested in helping organize and coordinate this event, please e-mail me, cmk97910@ucmo.edu.  I would appreciate all the helpful hands I can get!

Also, don’t forget to complete your nomination forms for Ambassadors and Honors of the Association (Outstanding Clinician, Outstanding Special Education Administrator, and Outstanding Graduate Student).  The deadline is February 1, 2012. Forms can be found online and in the fall and winter newsletter.