Freed-Hardeman University

Seven Freed-Hardeman University students studying Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) attended the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists (TAASLP) "Day On The Hill" in Nashville, Tennessee, this month where they met with state legislators to discuss professions, answer questions and share issues facing their fields. The students - Allison Collum, Gracie Doyle, Alexa Neglia, Kenzie Pressnell, Elizabeth Roberts, Taylor Triplett, and Gabe Watts- arrived prepared to meet with Senators and Representatives to discuss how they can help the audiology and speech pathology professions as well as those they will serve. These students were able to meet professional SLPs and audiologists as well as students from other undergraduate and graduate CSD programs. FHU instructor Susan Lankford and Dr. Meagan Spencer, director of FHU's CSD program, organized the day for students whose itinerary included delivering one pagers (information sheets) to share with legislators, participating in letter-writing campaigns with Tennessee's StAMP and SEAL representatives. They discussed reimbursement, dismissal of mandated school-age hearing screenings, and reasons why students choose the CSD field. "The goals for the event were to share information with legislators about the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology and to advocate for improved access to services for all Tennesseans," Lankford said. "The FHU Communication Sciences and Disorders department believes strongly that our undergraduate students are ready to take part in this aspect of their future profession. They proved us right with their participation in the TAASLP Day on the Hill."

Freed-Hardeman University accounting majors Caleb Bond, Elizabeth McKeeby, and Re'Elle Crowell sat at the feet of influential business leaders to expand their knowledge and make connections in their field during the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) Second Annual Leadership Summit in Brentwood, Tennessee. Held in January, the two day TSCPA conference hosts professional CPA's working in Tennessee. With over 10,000 members, the organization is dedicated to empowering the success of its members through resource building for growth and leadership opportunities. "I learned so many skills and have several pages of notes," said McKeeby, a sophomore. "They stressed getting your CPA license, which motivates me even more to pursue it."