By: Jessica Carter, MS, CCC-SLP, TSHA President

Graduate Student Representatives (GSR) serve as liaisons between Texas universities and the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA). This volunteer position offers graduate students the unique opportunity to advocate for fellow students within the fields by serving as their voice on the TSHA Executive Board. Each year, the TSHA Executive Board selects a new Graduate Student Representative to serve a two-year term on the Executive Board.

In 2026, the Graduate Student Representatives will be working on projects such as:

• Coordination of TSHA University Visits and outreach efforts
• Supporting promotion of TSHA membership and educational offerings to students
• Supporting a monthly TSHA student newsletter titled Student Corner
• Developing articles for the Communicologist
• Creating and leading a new committee made up of and geared toward students
• On-site support of the Praxis Bowl and our Spirit Day games at the TSHA Annual Convention
• And more!

Get To Know the 2026 TSHA Graduate Student Representatives!

Sydney Smith, 2026–2027 Graduate Student Representative

Sydney Smith is a student in the audiology program at The University of Texas at Austin. She completed her undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University, where she majored in Communication Disorders and Spanish Studies. Sydney is passionate about communication sciences and culturally responsive care, and she is excited to continue her involvement with TSHA this year. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, walking dogs, and discovering new gluten-free restaurants. This year, Sydney looks forward to increasing engagement with students and helping provide more opportunities to grow as clinicians through TSHA.

Carissa Kautz, 2025–2026 Graduate Student Representative

Carissa Kautz earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Texas Christian University and is expected to graduate with her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Dallas in May 2026. Her clinical and research interests include cognitive-communication disorders, dysphagia, tracheostomy/ventilator dependency, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This is her second year serving as TSHA's Graduate Student Representative, and she is passionate about advocacy and creating opportunities that connect and support students.

Join us in thanking Carissa and Sydney for their service!