Board of Directors

Responsibilities of the Vice President for Academic Affairs in Speech-Language Pathology

Description of Office

The Vice President for Academic Affairs in Speech-Language Pathology is charged with:

1. Identifying issues and forecasting needs and trends;
2. Initiating appropriate recommendations for actions to advance undergraduate and graduate education in speech-language pathology;
3. Incorporating expanding knowledge and practices of speech-language pathology into undergraduate and graduate education;
4. Recruiting individuals into the study of human communication sciences and disorders and actively seeking sources for student financial support;
5. Monitoring and facilitating the operations of the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) to ensure that the needs of academic programs in speech-language pathology are addressed, that established professional standards for speech-language pathology are maintained, and that procedures for professional accreditation in speech-language pathology operate effectively and efficiently;
6. Monitoring and facilitating the activities of the Committee of Chairs for Standards and Ethics, which is charged with ensuring systematic, regular, and consistent communication among the constituent bodies regarding issues of mutual interest and to coordinate decisions and actions that may have an impact on more than one of the bodies;
7. Monitoring and facilitating the activities of the Council on Academic Accreditation Nominating Committee, which is charged with identifying vacancies on the CAA to be filled in a given year and soliciting nominations for such vacancies from accredited academic programs, appropriate ASHA committees and boards, and other related groups;
8. Serving as a liaison to the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association; and
9. Encouraging and promoting doctoral studies for both clinical and research speech-language pathology careers.

Term

• Three years

Desired Personal and Professional Characteristics

• Ability to listen, analyze, think strategically and creatively, and work well with people individually and in a group
• Ability to consider multiple viewpoints about controversial issues and to communicate ASHA's perspective effectively with members and stakeholders
• Ability to prepare for, attend, and participate in board and committee meetings (including conference calls), ask questions, take responsibility, follow through on a given assignment, and evaluate oneself
• Willingness to develop certain skills if one does not possess them, such as understanding financial statements and learning more about the substantive program areas of the Association
• Honesty; sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views; a friendly, responsive, and patient approach; community-building skills; personal integrity; a developed sense of values; and concern for the Association's development
• Familiarity with accreditation, certification, and current issues in higher education

Primary Responsibilities

• Attend and participate in all meetings of the Board of Directors
• Be informed about the Association's mission, services, policies, and programs
• Assist the Board of Directors in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities
• Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings and conference calls
• Represent ASHA on behalf of the President as needed
• Attend the annual ASHA Convention
• Annually Review and vote on the Association's budget
• Attend the annual meeting of the Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council
  Contribute to a review of the Executive Director
• Appoint a Coordinating Committee to consult on academic topics as needed. This committee serves to advance undergraduate and graduate education in speech-language pathology and facilitates the activities of the Academic Affairs Program.
• Promote and host a gathering of academics in speech-language pathology at the ASHA Convention
• Prepare and present information at meetings on behalf of the Association as needed

Time Commitment

• Approximately 16 hours per week (excluding travel)

Financial Support

The Association provides the Vice President for Academic Affairs in Speech-Language Pathology with support in a number of ways: financial support for required functions of the office; assistance with office expenses, including some limited personnel support; and an equipment budget.

A stipend is provided to the Vice President's institution.