CSD Students Team with Professionals and State Legislators

Twenty-two students from the five Communication Sciences and Disorders programs in Mississippi attended Legislative Day at the State Capitol in Jackson, MS on January 12, 2017.   Select students from Ole Miss, MUW, USM, Jackson State and Delta State wrote letters to their legislators prior to January 12, inviting them to hearing screenings, lunch and an opportunity to learn about the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.  This grassroots advocacy effort was made possible by the Mississippi Speech Language Hearing Association and by a grant that was obtained through the American Speech Language Hearing Association.  Students were able to tour the house floor, attend part of a Senate and House session and learn about the law-making process from MSHA lobbyist and legislators.  Students also had an opportunity to meet their own senator and representative and screen the hearing of over 70 legislators and staff.  MSHA Executive Board Members, MSHA members and university supervisors supervised and accompanied the students throughout the days’ events.