Executive Board Student Representatives

Who is eligible to become the Student Representative?

To be considered for the Student Representative or Alternate Student Representative position, one must be a full-time student in good standing in a speech-language pathology or audiology program in Pennsylvania. Students must be matriculating in a program terminating in a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology or audiology. Nominees for this position must be student members of PSHA.

What are the responsibilities of the Student Representative?

The Student Representative is expected to advocate on behalf of students in Pennsylvania speech-language pathology, audiology and education of the hearing impaired programs, and provide input and feedback to the Executive Board (EB) regarding PSHA initiatives, policies, and activities. The Alternate Student Representative will assist the Student Representative in these roles and serve in the role of Student Representative if the existing Student Representative is unable to attend meetings and/or carry out student related activities.

The Student Representative will:

• Attend quarterly EB meetings; participate in EB online activities (except voting) and provide quarterly written reports.
• Write a quarterly column for the Keystater (“The Student Voice”).
• Develop and implement a means by which students across the Commonwealth can network and provide input regarding PSHA student affairs.
• Provide input to convention program planning committee re: students’ needs/preferences on speakers, topics, social events, and post-convention debrief and other student-related issues.

What is the term of service?

The Student Representative and Alternate Student Representative shall serve a one-year term, July 1 – June 30. The Student Representative and Alternate Student Representative may run for multiple terms, as long as s/he remains a full-time student. In order to serve multiple terms at each position (or to transition from Alternate Student Representative to Student Representative) individuals must re-apply for each term office.

How will the Student Representative be selected?

Applications and documentation as outlined above shall be submitted to the PSHA Board by April 1.
The Executive Board shall select and appoint the Student Representative and Alternate Student Representative by May 15 for the term beginning July 1. All candidates for both positions will be selected using the criteria established for the Student Representative position.

Applicants must submit the following:

• Student Representative application.
• A reference from a faculty member in the major department, attesting that the student is a full-time and in good standing.
• A personal statement, addressing the following questions:
  • Why do you want to be the Student Representative and what initiatives would you pursue?
  • How would you advocate for students in Pennsylvania?
  • What contributions have you made to date to the professions or other related community organizations?

What supports are available to the Student Representative?

The Student Representative will have a small budget to enable him/her to make on-site visits to other campuses and meet with students at those institutions and engage in other approved activities.  Mentoring is available to the Student Representative from the Past President, who will have primary responsibility in this regard.

Interested in becoming a student representative?  Complete the application below:

Apply to be a student representative