Missouri State University students recently showcased their talents and skills at the Missouri Speech Language Hearing Association (MSHA) 2024 Convention.
Themed “MSHA Momentum,” this year’s convention took place from April 11-14 at Tan-Tar-A resort in Osage Beach, Missouri. The MSHA convention is an annual gathering of speech pathologists, audiologists and students from across the state. It provided an enriching experience for practitioners, faculty and students.
The convention welcomed undergraduate students in communication sciences and disorders (CSD), as well as graduate students pursuing degrees in speech-language pathology (SLP) and audiology.
MSU’s Dr. Dee Telting and Jennifer Pratt, clinical associate professor and clinical professor of CSD, respectively, played a pivotal role in organizing the event. It drew hundreds of attendees and featured seminars, workshops and academic competitions.
A big win for students
MSU made waves at the convention, particularly in the academic contest, the Quest for the Cup. To win the contest, university teams must answer questions related to speech, language, swallowing and hearing knowledge.
The MSU SLP graduate students secured the top spot, surpassing rival programs across the state like the University of Missouri and St. Louis University. This was the first time MSU won the cup in eight years.
“It was really cool they won after so many years. The students were so excited they slept with the trophy that night!” Telting said.
At the convention, MSU had the honor of nominating one of its CSD graduate students, Avery Brooks, for the title of the top graduate student in Missouri. This nomination recognized her outstanding academic achievements and exceptional performance.
Additionally, MSU’s graduate students showcased their research projects, offering valuable contributions to the evolving landscape of CSD.
The convention gave MSU students many learning opportunities and exposure to the latest advancements in their field. It was a chance for them to network with professionals, gain practical insights and hone their skills.
“One thing I enjoyed most about the MSHA Convention was the unity and camaraderie that resulted when our team won the Quest for the Cup trophy,” Brooks said. “It always feels good to win something as a team, and it was such an electrifying moment to bring the beloved trophy back home to MSU after an eight-year hiatus. It was such a special way to wrap up my graduate experience at MSU.”
Faculty involvement
The convention also highlighted the expertise of MSU’s faculty members, who presented on a diverse array of topics. These ranged from integrating specialty services into speech therapy to leveraging artificial intelligence in therapy sessions.
“I was proud to represent the CSD program,” Telting said.