Haley Shover, a first-year graduate student in communication disorders, was awarded the Arkansas Speech-Language Hearing Association's 2025 Betty Bass Scholarship.  

The Arkansas Speech-Language Hearing Association (ArkSHA) connects audiologists, speech-language pathologists and students in communication disorders. It offers professional development, information for job placement, networking and legislative advocacy for the professions.  

ArkSHA created a Betty Bass Scholarship in 2017 to honor Betty Bass' dedication and commitment to audiologists and speech-language pathologists in the state. Each year, as a measure of their gratitude, they offer a scholarship to a student who honors her commitment to advocacy (ArkSHA, n.d.).  

Shover started attending the U of A in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. She faced many challenges navigating online coursework, but she knew that even when the world looked different, leadership and campus engagement was still her passion. Shover became involved in the EMPOWER program, serving as a social and academic mentor for a student with a disability. At the time of her graduation in 2024, she had several hundred hours dedicated to this program.  

She also became involved in the U of A's chapter of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association. During her senior year, she served as a volunteer coordinator on the executive board. Shover also served on the ArkSHA board as a student liaison, providing a voice for students in communication disorders.  

Shover is currently a graduate assistant in the Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy. When asked about her current studies, she said, "I love that I am in a field continually devoted to helping others find their voice, and I am thankful for my professors in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program who help me be the best clinician possible."   

"Haley has been a stand-out for leadership for several years now in our program. We are thrilled to see her efforts recognized with this award from ArkSHA. There is no question that she will be an excellent speech-language pathologist in the future," said Rachel Glade, director of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program.