Name
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)About
Location
MarylandOrganization/Facility
Health CareWebsite
ASHAThe MSLP, ASHA's Student Leadership Program
Initiative Categories
Focus Areas
- Leadership
Summary
The MSLP, ASHA's Student Leadership Program open to students from all cultural legacies and backgrounds, was established in 1999 and takes place during the ASHA Convention. The purpose of The MSLP is to:
- experience and participate in a set of leadership-focused educational programs and activities of the annual ASHA Convention;
- build and enhance students’ leadership skills;
- learn and understand how the Association works; and
- provide an opportunity for students to interact with leaders in the professions of audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech, language, and hearing sciences.
Initially eligible applicants included undergraduate seniors and master's students. Over the years, the program’s application eligibility criteria evolved to include
- PhD students (as of 2005)
- AuD students (as of 2006), and
- SLPD students (as of 2023).
The MSLP started by awarding 30 students, but ASHA increased that number to 40 students to give more students the opportunity to gain leadership skills. Participants who are accepted into the MSLP receive complementary ASHA Convention registration, up to 6 days' hotel accommodations, a stipend, and program materials.
During the week, participants engage in a variety of leadership and team-building activities—culminating in a reviewed team presentation that addresses an issue relevant to CSD.
Over the years, alumni have served in leadership roles—including on ASHA committees and boards, as CSD faculty and program directors, as state association leaders, as business owners, as ASHA staff, as leaders in national associations, and in many other capacities. More than 800 participants are alumni of the MSLP.
For More Information
Visit The MSLP webpage or contact mslp@asha.org.
This initiative was submitted on June 12, 2024 and last updated on March 18, 2025.