Happy Holidays from CAPCSD!

Dear CAPCSD Member,

 

As we approach the conclusion of 2024, our academic community finds itself at a moment of both reflection on the current year and anticipation of the year to come. This month's newsletter highlights several important initiatives that underscore CAPCSD’s commitment to scholarly excellence and professional development.

 

The SoTL Task Force has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of pedagogical research. Their recently released white paper on SoTL and Communication Sciences and Disorders represents a significant contribution to our field. Beyond the publication, the Task Force has cultivated an engaging learning community that promises to spark innovative approaches to teaching and research. We're particularly excited about our upcoming January Webinar Series, designed to provide strategic insights into SoTL research design, demonstrate methods for meaningful stakeholder engagement, and offer practical frameworks for transformative educational scholarship.

A final reminder that December 11th marks an important deadline for our community. We encourage you to submit nominations for CAPCSD President-Elect and Secretary, and to apply for honors and awards programs. This is an excellent opportunity for leadership and to recognize the exceptional contributions of colleagues and emerging scholars in our field.


Our Conference Planning Committee has been diligently crafting an exceptional program for the April 2025 gathering in Atlanta. This promises to be a fabulous event—combining innovative presentations, networking opportunities, and the vibrant backdrop of one of America's most dynamic cities. We hope you'll join us for what is sure to be an inspiring conference.

As we approach the winter break, we extend our warmest wishes. May this period offer you moments of rest, reconnection, and rejuvenation—essential components of sustaining our scholarly and teaching passion.

With gratitude,

Katie Strong

Katie Strong 

CAPCSD President 
 

Important Dates

  • December 11 - Board of Directors Nominations window closes
  • December 11 - Honors and Awards Nominations window closes
  • December 13 - Clinical Educators' Academy participant selection notifications
  • January 13 - 2025 Annual Conference Registration & Hotel Room Block open
 

CAPCSD Board of Directors Accepting Nominations

The following positions are open:

  • President-Elect, Three (3) years of service, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
  • Secretary, Three (3) years of service, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028

 

These elected positions will be filled by individuals who have a passion for service to CAPCSD and believe their skill set lends itself to helping CAPCSD accomplish its mission and vision. Nominations will open on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, and close on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

 

Consider nominating yourself or a colleague! You are encouraged to contact Cara Boester, Chair of the Nominations Committee, with any questions about the positions or the nomination process at clboest@ilstu.edu.

 

For complete details or to submit a nomination, please click here.
 

On-Demand Webinars

CAPCSD's Professional Development and Online Professional Development Committees continue to identify valuable content to add to On-Demand Courses. Providing access to On-Demand Courses provides users some flexibility to interact with content. Users have 10 days from the date of purchase to complete an On-Demand Course with most courses being 60 to 90 minutes in length.

If you have not, please check out the On-Demand portal here: https://www.capcsd.org/ondemand-courses/

Some On-Demand Courses capture bundled content from the 2024 CAPCSD Virtual Convention with topics ranging from cultural sensitivity to admissions to ethical dilemmas in clinical education.  Additional free-standing On-Demand Course are also available focused on ethics, best practices in online instruction, mental health, and student engagement.
 

Nominations for the 2025 Honors and Awards are Open

The Honors and Awards Committee invites nominations for the 2025 Honors of the Council, Distinguished Contribution Award, and Excellence in Diversity Award.

 

The nomination process for the 2025 honors and awards is now open and will close on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. To view the requirements for the honors and awards categories, refer to the past recipients, or submit a nomination, please click here.
 

2025 Annual Conference 

Dates

April 23 - April 26, 2025

 

Theme

ATL: Advancing Teaching & Learning

 

Hotel

Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA

 

Room Rate

$205 ++ per room, per night

 

Early Bird Registration Rates

Member $575

Affiliate $575

Non Member $725

 

Registration & Room Block will open

Monday, January 13, 2025

2025 Annual Conference Plenary Sessions 

CAPCSD's Conference Planning Committee is excited to present Ashley L. Dockens, Ph.D., Au.D., CCC-A as the keynote speaker for both of the plenary sessions at this year's conference. Dr. Dockens is a "prominent figure in the field of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education." At Lamar University, Dr. Dockens became Director of Audiology a few years after beginning there. Her later role as Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement "became a catalyst for her deeper involvement with AI."

 

Currently, Dr. Dockens is Assistant Provost of Academic Innovation & Quality Assurance and Associate Graduate Dean of Policy and Procedure at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She also serves as the Chair of CAPCSD's AI Task Force. Join us for the below plenary sessions and read more about them here.

 

Thursday, April 24

Empowering Faculty: Generative AI in CSD Graduate Programs 

 

Friday, April 25

Encouraging Student Generative AI Literacy and Use in CSD Graduate Programs 

 

Read more about Dr. Dockens' research, expertise, and goals here:

https://www.lamar.edu/news-and-events/news/2024/06/dockens-addresses-ai-in-higher-education-through-research-and-training.html
 

Admissions Corner

Incorporating Diversity in Graduate Admissions: Beyond the Numbers
As more CSD graduate programs embrace holistic admissions, identifying characteristics and experiences that best reflect an applicant's readiness and potential to contribute to the field becomes increasingly more important. A diverse and well-rounded cohort not only enriches the educational experience but also prepares all graduates to address the varied needs of the communities they will serve.
Here are several areas graduate programs might consider incorporating into their holistic review process:
  1. SLPA Experience: Applicants with Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) credentials often bring valuable hands-on clinical exposure and a practical understanding of the field, making them well-prepared for graduate-level training.
  2. Research Experience: Involvement in research demonstrates an applicant’s ability to engage in critical thinking, problem-solving, and advancing the profession.
  3. Volunteerism: Volunteer experience—whether within communication sciences or broader service roles—demonstrates compassion, dedication, and a desire to make meaningful contributions to society.
  4. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Applicants who bring unique cultural, linguistic, or socioeconomic perspectives contribute to a more inclusive cohort and help expand the profession’s ability to serve diverse populations effectively.
  5. Work Experience: Employment in related or unrelated fields may showcase transferable skills such as time management, resilience, and professionalism.
  6. Nontraditional Academic Pathways: Programs can recognize the strengths of applicants who followed unique academic journeys, such as returning to school later in life or transitioning from other careers.
CSDCAS is a powerful tool for operationalizing these considerations in an efficient way. By incorporating custom rubrics as scoring models, programs can systematically assess and give appropriate credit to applicants for these diverse experiences and attributes. This approach not only enhances the fairness and transparency of the admissions process but also ensures the selection of students who bring unique strengths and perspectives to their CSD programs.

 
 
CAPCSD SoTL Webinar Series

Join us for an exciting three-part webinar series exploring the world of SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)! Your single registration grants you access to all three sessions: Designing effective SoTL studies, Discovering innovative data sources for your research and Engaging stakeholders in your SoTL projects

🗓️ Thursday, January 16, 2025
🗓️ Thursday, January 23, 2025
🗓️ Thursday, January 30, 2025 🕒 5 PM – 6:30 PM ET 

.15 ASHA CEUs per webinar
 
 

https://www.capcsd.org                                                                                                                                                                                        December 2024


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