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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee

The mission of the DE&I Committee is to help build an organization that fosters diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to all Illinois speech-language pathology professionals, students, and other stakeholders and promotes deep knowledge of cultural diversity, humility, responsiveness and respect in all areas of practice for the communities we serve.

2024-2025 Roster

  • Nicole Bing, Co-Chair
  • Angela Riccelli, Co-Chair
  • Katie Gore
  • David Frazier
  • Valerie Brosius
  • Sharon Rzyski
  • Sayida Baste
  • Kimberly Hines
  • Brenda Gorman
  • Kelly McCormick
  • Amy Rajsky
  • Camille O'Quin
  • Sabina Walker

2024-2025 Committee Goals

GOALS:

  • Create a culture of belonging within ISHA that promotes inclusion of individuals from diverse, underrepresented groups within the organization.
  • Identify and address barriers and challenges to both entry into the profession and equity in professional work settings.
  • Promote personal and professional accountability in the equitable treatment of the individuals we serve.
  • Create safe spaces to discuss issues pertaining to DEI in the workplace, classrooms and clinics.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS:

  • Identify and implement strategies to Increase the membership and leadership of diverse, underrepresented groups within ISHA.
  • Develop a needs assessment and/or conduct discussion groups to identify barriers to undergraduate and graduate training programs for underrepresented students and to identify challenges around issues of DEI in professional work settings.
  • Continue regular committee meetings, DEI Office Hours, and educational events related to diversity and inclusion.
  • Partner with other committees and events within ISHA/ASHA/other State Speech and Hearing Associations to expand DEI activities and opportunities for members.
  • Provide resources and support to ISHA Executive Board and other Committees as requested, especially for ongoing programs (e.g., Ethics Contest) that seek to include a DEI Component.
  • Provide regular content for the ISHA Voice, educating members about DEI issues related to the professions, and maintaining DEI as front-and-center focus area.

Current committee initiatives underway include:

School-To-Professional Pipeline

Developing a systematic outreach, recruitment, retention, and mentoring initiative for students in the communication sciences and disorders professions from underrepresented backgrounds, with particular support for students who are BIPOC (Black, Indiginous, People of Color) and with culturally and linguistically diverse experiences.

Important elements will include:

  • Pre-college career education (middle school and high school)
  • College-level outreach, particular opportunity with community colleges and HBCUs
  • Support and/or mentoring program to assist with college preparation, graduate school education, graduate training, early career navigation
Professional Development and Training
  • Connecting Conversations Series
  • Professional development year-round and at ISHA's Annual Convention 
  • In partnership with the Multicultural Issues Committee, investigate creation of an ISHA certificate of cultural competency.
  • Partner with ISHA Mentorship Program for Minority emphasis if needed/desired
  • Partner with other committees, events within ISHA/ASHA and other State Speech and Hearing Associations
  • Monthly/quarterly videos from DEI Committee highlighting issues/topics within our field 
  • Interview minorities within ISHA and highlight their journey and or contributions to the field
  • Investigate Minority scholarships for students
  • Creation of how to videos:
    • How to better communicate with diverse colleagues
    • How to better communicate with diverse patients/students/clients
    • How to deal with microaggressions
    • How to hold uncomfortable conversations
    • How to address uncomfortable/unwarranted behaviors in the workplace