Executive Director Update

August 1, 2008

This is another in a series of occasional ASHA Executive Director updates. These updates are intended to provide ASHA members with a more in-depth view of various National Office units, their key member services and the names and roles of ASHA staff in those units. Information about staff changes and ASHA National Office recognitions/awards is also included.

Many thanks to those of you who have provided feedback regarding the previous updates (posted on the ASHA Web site), or suggestions for future ED updates.

This update focuses on Web & Knowledge Strategy.

The ASHA Web & Knowledge Strategy Team leads ASHA's Web publishing and knowledge management efforts and serves as a consulting and support unit within the office, helping other ASHA staff to achieve their goals through the use of Web-based technology and information management best practices.

Web Site Growth

With over 10,000 pages, ASHA.org has continued to grow and serve as a valuable resource for both members and the public. Two of the most highly visited sections of the Web site are EdFind and ProSearch. EdFind helps future members of the professions find programs to start their academic career while ProSearch connects consumers looking for services with ASHA certified professionals.

In the past four years, traffic to ASHA.org has almost doubled in terms of number of pages viewed and number of people visiting the site.

For 2008 and beyond, there are a number of big changes that are in store for the Web site:

Graphic Design and Navigation Changes

Over the past year, the Web Content Team has been working to make substantive changes to the navigation and organization of the ASHA Web site. Based on usage statistics, usability testing, member interviews, and a benchmark survey, the Web Content Team is working to make the site more usable and visually appealing. The project team will be working to finalize the design and navigation in the summer of 2008 and the goal is to phase in the changes over the winter of 2008-2009.

New Search Engine Implementation

Based on staff research, member survey feedback, and usability testing, a needs analysis has been completed to define the requirements for a new search engine for the ASHA Web site. The timeline for selecting and implementing a new search engine is spring 2009.

Member-Only Content Moving to Public Access

In an effort to increase Web site usability and its visibility to search engines, an initiative is underway to make the majority of ASHA Web site content publicly available. A goal of this project is to make it easier for ASHA members to share content with related professionals and consumers. At the same time, a larger amount of public content should expose the Web site to additional search engine traffic from those audiences.

For more information on any of these projects or to provide feedback to the Web & Knowledge Strategy team, please e-mail webmaster@asha.org.

National Office Staff Updates

The following individuals are new to the ASHA staff since May, 2008:

• Kevin Brooks – User Support Technician
• Amy Eizeldin – Higher Education Data System Manager
• Mona Heath – Information Resources Manager
• Elizabeth Houston – Accounts Receivable Analyst
• Kristina Kite – Administrative Assistant, Special Interest Divisions
• Ningping Liu – Statistician
• Margaret McGary – Assistant Content Developer
• Anna Mikesell – NSSLHA Administrative Assistant
• Kimberly O’Sullivan – Public Relations Manager
• Anders Schneiderman – Database Services Manager
• William Sledge – Photographer/Graphics Designer
• Kachina Smith – NSSHLA Administrative Assistant
• Deena Thompson – Account Manager, Membership and Sales
• Marcia Tyrell – Account Manager, Membership and Sales
• Karen Wilson – Certification Case Manager
• Megan Woods – Certification Case Manager

The following staff have changed positions within ASHA:

• Jennifer Harper – Manager, CE Registry (formerly Account Manager, Membership & Sales)
• Al Kolan – Director, Facilities Management (formerly Manager, Building Services)
• Ingrida Lusis – Director, Federal & Political Advocacy (formerly Director, Healthcare Regulatory Advocacy)
• Steve Ritch – Business Analyst (formerly Higher Education System Manager)
• Carol Williams – Manager, CE Provider Services (formerly Certification Maintenance Program Manager)

The following individuals have left ASHA to pursue other opportunities:

• Holly Allison – Asset & Corporate Partner Director
• Susanna Aulbach – Academic Affairs Program Manager
• Patricia Brown – Director, Facilities Management
• Deborah Darcy – Director, Grassroots Advocacy
• Rennee Johnson – Manager, CE Registry
• Natalie Prather – Account Manager, Membership and Sales
• Claudette Quashie – Administrative Assistant
• Kellie Zwillenberg – Account Manager, Membership and Sales

The Next Executive Director Update: Health Care Services (SLP)