Issue

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), federal student loan borrowing for graduate degrees is being overhauled. Grad PLUS loans are being eliminated, borrowing caps for graduate and undergraduate loans are being restructured. 

As we come close to wrapping up 2025, the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) is excited to implement the organization’s new three-year strategic plan focusing on the member experience, professional development, and advocacy within the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. As we continue to create meaningful and modern educational experiences, we strive to create a more personalized member experience, support members in finding joy in their profession, and activate members to impact their communities and state through advocacy efforts.

The Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) advocacy team is embracing opportunities at this time of big change as we develop our vision for the future. The retirement of Larry Higdon, our longtime Director of Governmental Relations, and the passing of Mark Hanna, our Legal and Legislative Counsel for many years, left enormous shoes to fill. Thankfully Larry and Mark helped us develop a solid foundation on which we can build. 

Mark your calendars: The 70th Annual TSHA Convention & Exhibition will take place February 19–21, 2026, in Fort Worth. In 2026, we celebrate seven decades of bringing together speech-language pathologists, audiologists, educators, researchers, and students from across Texas to learn, collaborate, and shape the future of our fields. There are so many new things coming for 2026, and you won’t want to miss it!

As 2025 comes to a close, the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) Member Engagement team reflects on a year filled with purpose, connection, and community. Our mission this year was simple: to ensure that every member—students, early-career professionals, and seasoned clinicians alike—feels seen, valued, and supported in TSHA. 

The reality for most practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is that they are typically English speaking only, yet they are tasked with evaluating students who have a primary language other than English. It is critical that we understand what best practices are for such situations to make recommendations that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for our bilingual students.

Please mark your calendars to join us for the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (TSHF) Annual Rise and Shine Breakfast, which will be held on Friday, February 20, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. in Fort Worth. For 2026, we’re celebrating in a special way, with a 70^th birthday party for the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA). Enjoy a delicious plated breakfast, connect with colleagues and friends, and cheer on our inspiring award recipients. A portion of every ticket sold supports student scholarships, research grants, service awards, and leadership development.

Cafe TSHA is an initiative of the TSHA Publications Board. Levity Lounge is a walk on the lighter side. Tips for Tx offers clever hacks to up your therapy game. Tech Bytes covers new and noteworthy technology finds. Student Swap provides student-focused ideas and inspiration. Wellness Corner emphasizes self-care for service providers. We encourage you to submit your ideas to publications@txsha.org for consideration for publication in future issues. 

Hello, Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) members! I hope this publication of the Communicologistfinds you well and doing great things in our fields. It is a great time to be a TSHA member as we start the countdown to our 70^th birthday. A quote by William Arthur Ward that I have always loved says something along the lines of “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” I am extremely grateful to work alongside such amazing volunteers that make up the committees under the Professional Services umbrella in TSHA. That gratitude only grows as I survey the incredible work they have done in service of our TSHA members this year thus far. I want to express that gratitude to the masses, because I do love to give presents, and these committees are the gift that keeps on giving for our organization.

In 2026, Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) members will elect a President-Elect, Vice President for Audiology, Vice President for Member Engagement, and Vice President for Professional Services.