CSDI Student Selected for State Leadership Role with National NSSLHA

Rosa Aldana, a student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDI) at the U of A, has been selected to serve as the Arkansas Student State Officer for the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA).

In this role, Aldana serves as a liaison between National NSSLHA and student chapters across Arkansas, helping connect students to resources and opportunities within the profession. She shares accurate and up-to-date information about membership, scholarships, leadership opportunities, advocacy efforts and national events with local chapters. Aldana also works to support and connect NSSLHA chapters across the state while collaborating with regional leadership to promote student involvement in the field of communication sciences and disorders.

Aldana was selected for the role through a competitive application process open exclusively to members of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

"Being in this role has been incredibly rewarding," Aldana said. "I have had the opportunity to connect with individuals who represent the future of communication sciences and disorders, and being part of one another's early professional journeys has been a meaningful experience. Building connections at the start of our careers creates relationships that will continue to grow throughout our future work in the field."

Her leadership experiences and academic interests helped prepare her for the position. Aldana's interest in audiology, involvement in the U of A Honors College and leadership experience as a mentor with the U of A's NSSLHA chapter and the EMPOWER program have contributed to her commitment to student leadership. She is also pursuing a minor in social work, which has further shaped her approach to advocacy and community engagement.

"This opportunity has helped shape the type of clinician and advocate I hope to become," Aldana said.

Aldana said the role reflects both her growth within the CSDI program and her future goals in audiology. In addition to her coursework, her minor in social work has strengthened her focus on advocacy and supporting students and communities within the profession.

Through this position, she hopes to continue encouraging student engagement and professional development across Arkansas while building connections that will support the next generation of clinicians in communication sciences and disorders.