by Melanie Johnson
The Minority Student Leadership Program (MSLP), established in 1999 to foster leadership development for racial/ethnic minority students, celebrated its fifth year at the 2003 ASHA Convention. Since 1999, the program has served 148 students by helping them gain insight into their leadership skills, providing them a better understanding of how leaders affect change in their professional association, and empowering them to take risks and meet their own challenges.
Former and current MSLP participants have exhibited leadership in a variety of ways and have achieved many successes. For example, one student received a full scholarship and a $10,000 stipend to pursue her doctoral degree; another is a director of a medical center's speech-language pathology program; several participants received scholarships from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation; some were recipients of the ASHA Minority Student Travel Award (in conjunction with the Annual Research Symposium); and others have been appointed to serve on ASHA boards and committees, such as the Council for Clinical Certification.
Minority Student Leadership Mentoring Program
One of the goals of the MSLP is to provide networking opportunities and resources to enhance the professional development of the student leaders. In 2001, the Minority Student Leadership Mentoring Program was launched to provide peer mentoring and one-on-one mentoring by an Association leader. A Web site has been developed that gives the student leaders a chance to communicate with each other and Association leaders concerning topics and issues that are relevant to them.
Mentors serve in two roles: as individual mentors to student leaders and as guest mentors. Guest mentors provide career-related support by leading a group discussion on the MSLP Web site on a topic related to their area of expertise. The student leaders then have a chance to ask questions and receive an expert opinion on the topic. Association leaders that have served as guest mentors include Luis Riquelme-Figuring Out What It Means to Lead; Sue Hale-The National Exam; and Julie Masterson-Putting Theory to Practical Use.
In commemoration of "The Year of the Volunteer" a breakfast was held at the 2003 Convention to honor the more than 100 volunteers who have provided service to the MSLP from 1999-2003. A special award was given to Luis Riquelme as the MSLP's Most Valuable Volunteer. Riquelme, who has volunteered with the MSLP every year since its inception, has served in each volunteer capacity for the program, including application reviewer, speaker, mentor, and guest mentor.
Melanie Johnson is ASHA's membership program manager. Contact her by e-mail at mjohnson@asha.org.