By: Diane Longnecker, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, Vice President for Educational and Scientific Affairs

The 69th Annual Convention and Exhibition of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) came to San Antonio on May 1-3 ready to spark innovation and enlighten with knowledge. More than 2,300 attendees and exhibitors came together from near and far across the great state of Texas for this year’s Convention for continuing education, professional development, and networking opportunities.

The keynote session on Thursday morning provided an opportunity for all of TSHA to come together to celebrate the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future of our association and our professions. Dr. Kia Johnson kicked off the TSHA 2025 Convention on Thursday with an excellent presentation entitled, “Anti-Ableism: Lighting the Path to Equity and Empowerment.” In addition, the 115 sessions and 40 poster presentations were of high quality and provided pertinent education across a variety of ages and disorders.

What attendees see on site at Convention each year is only made possible through the many volunteer hours put in by fellow speech-language pathologists and audiologists and with the support from the TSHA State Office and our management firm, Smithbucklin. Every single one of these people amplified the positive experience of all attendees and allowed for the many aspects of Convention to be possible!

I would like to recognize a handful of the amazing volunteers who have dedicated their time, skills, and expertise to the association as a part of the Convention committees this year.

Program Committee Co-Chairs Lydia Richardson and Erin Keeling and their Program Strand Committee members Erin Leshikar, Jordan Hanson, Janita Gilliam, Deena Petersen, Casey Taliancich-Klinger, Rose Bryan, Laura Loveless, and Shelley Cook-Rocha selected and scheduled 115 sessions, three master classes, and 40 poster presentations. Poster awards for presentations of excellence from students and professionals were given again this year. Congratulations to those winners. Thank you to the entire Programming Committee. Your knowledge, time, and expertise are invaluable to our fields and vital to the success of TSHA!

Councilor and Past Vice President for Educational and Scientific Affairs Lori Cochran provided expertise, wisdom, and support throughout the whole planning process. You are very appreciated!

Education Innovation Co-Chair Carsyn Cunningham provided excellent training opportunities and speaker office hours for how to take presentations to the next level by increasing engagement and improving overall design. Carsyn, thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with TSHA!

Spirit Day Committee Co-Chairs Katie Zubia and Hesper Holland enthusiastically planned and amped up Spirit Day for all student attendees. The meet-and-greet, tailgate games, and the famous Praxis Bowl were all expertly planned and so fun for all! Thank you!

Convention Scholarship and Volunteer Committee Co-Chairs Ally Gore and Brittany Rush facilitated professional and student scholarships to attend the TSHA 2025 Convention. While on site, their smiling faces greeted you, provided answers, and helped meet attendee needs at the volunteer booth. Thank you both for your organizational skills, positive attitude, and bright smiles!

Community Integration and Development Committee Co-Chairs Shawn Williams and Kelly Leddy coordinated professionally focused career development sessions. They also planned and coordinated philanthropy projects benefiting Haven for Hope in the exhibit hall. Thank you for being intentional about finding new ways to serve all attendees and the San Antonio community!

While the TSHA 2025 Convention was a huge success, we cannot wait to innovate and improve with TSHA’s 70th Annual Convention and Exhibition. Please mark your calendars now for the TSHA 70th Annual Convention and Exhibition, set for February 19-21, 2026, in Fort Worth. Come learn and network with us at the TSHA 2026 Convention.

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