By: Adanna Burrell, MS, CCC-SLP, Vice President for Member Engagement
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. Under the leadership of Committee Chairs Jana Parker and Michaela J. Ritter and Diversity Committee Chair Liz Surita-Khuat, our committees worked together to foster inclusion, amplify member voices, and create spaces that remind us why TSHA is more than an association; it’s a community.
1. Expanding Connection Through “Find Your Zone”
TSHA continued to build engagement through its Find Your Zone initiative, led by Jana and Michaela, encouraging members to connect through regional networks and shared professional interests. You may remember placing a colored dot on the area where you lived during the TSHA 2025 Convention, an activity that visually reminded us how connected we are across Texas! Stay tuned for even more opportunities to engage within your Zone in the coming year.
2. Launching Regional Meet-Ups to Recharge and Reconnect
We’re thrilled to pilot TSHA Zone Meet-Ups—informal local gatherings that encourage connection and collaboration in smaller, more personal settings. The first meet-ups will take place in Waco, Temple, and Dallas/Fort Worth on December 6 and 13, offering members a chance to recharge, share ideas, and enjoy fellowship with colleagues who understand the joys and challenges of our fields.
3. Celebrating Member Voices Through “My TSHA Why” Stories
The My TSHA Why campaign, championed by Diversity Chair Liz Surita-Khuat, gave members a platform to share what TSHA means to them. These authentic stories celebrated our diverse experiences and deepened our collective sense of purpose as professionals united by communication and care.
4. Diversity Committee Student Forums: Empowering Future Leaders
Our Diversity Committee hosted its second Student Forum on April 9, engaging more than 30 students in discussions around career development, mentorship, and representation. We hosted our third Student Forum on November 19, continuing our commitment to empowering students and early-career professionals while expanding pathways to leadership.
5. Representation and Thought Leadership at the TSHA 2025 Convention
The TSHA Diversity Committee proudly represented our organization at the TSHA 2025 Convention. Dr. Ruth Crutchfield presented “Communication Styles Between Different Groups,” and Mona Kaddoura joined the “Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CLD) Hot Topics Panel.” Their expertise spotlighted the importance of cultural responsiveness and communication equity in our professions.
6. Continuing To Shine a Light in May for National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
In May, TSHA once again celebrated National Speech-Language-Hearing Month by amplifying awareness across Texas. Through creative social media campaigns, advocacy events, and educational posts, members showcased the vital work speech, language, and hearing professionals do every day to enhance communication and quality of life.
7. Strengthening Cross-Committee Collaboration
This year, Member Engagement partnered with the Professional Development and Social Media Committees to streamline communication, promote continuing education opportunities, and highlight member spotlights. These collaborations enhanced visibility and ensured consistent messaging that reached every corner of the TSHA community.
8. Promoting Belonging and Inclusion Across TSHA
Our teams worked together to integrate DEI principles into every aspect of member engagement, from leadership recruitment to event planning and professional development. Through Liz’s leadership and collaboration with Jana and Michaela, inclusion remained a cornerstone of everything we do.
9. Enhancing Student and Early-Career Engagement
From mentorship programs to student outreach, TSHA expanded engagement among future professionals this year. Our committees partnered with university programs across Texas, helping students and Clinical Fellows understand the benefits of membership and encouraging active involvement early in their careers.
10. Looking Ahead: Building Micro-Communities for 2026
Looking forward, we’re excited to expand micro-communities—small, interest-driven groups that foster deeper professional relationships and local support. Our leadership team—Jana Parker, Michaela J. Ritter, and Liz Surita-Khuat—will present “The Power of Peer Networks: Building Micro-Communities Within TSHA” at the TSHA 2026 Convention, showcasing how these peer networks can transform the member experience and cultivate lasting engagement across the state.
Closing Thoughts
2025 has been a year of momentum and meaning. Every forum, meet-up, and shared story reminded us that engagement is more than participation; it’s belonging. To every volunteer, member, and leader who contributed time and passion, thank you for making TSHA stronger together.