Student Ethics Essay Award Recipients

The Student Ethics Essay Award (SEEA) program is conducted as part of ASHA's efforts to create awareness of the importance of ethical decision making as individuals prepare to start careers in audiology, speech-language pathology, or speech, language, and hearing sciences. Recipients of the SEEA are listed, and essay titles are available to read, for the last three years.

2021 SEEA Recipients

Topic: Ethics in Supervision

Consider the ethical issues that may arise when professional services are provided by student clinicians. In your essay, present a potential ethical challenge or dilemma that may be faced by a student clinician and/or supervisor in this scenario. Then, using ethics resources and the ASHA Code of Ethics (2016), (1) identify one or more Principles and the corresponding Rule(s) that you believe have been violated, (2) provide a rationale for your choice(s), and (3) discuss what action(s) could have been taken to acknowledge and respond to the challenge or dilemma in order to prevent a violation of the Code of Ethics.

1st Place

Audrey McMillion

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Essay: Continuing Education for Clinical Education and Mentoring Graduate Students

2nd Place

Katie Matofsky

Yeshiva University/Stern College for Women
Essay: When Ethics are Boiled Down to Regulations and Common Sense, the Clinical Supervisor has a Recipe for Success

3rd Place

Valerie Villanueva

Seton Hall University
Essay: Lead By Example—Ethical Considerations for Supervisors and Student Clinicians

2020 SEEA Recipients

Topic: Cultural Competence in Service Provision: Ethical Considerations

Consider the cultural background, experiences, and/or possible biases of clinicians and their clients related to cultural and linguistic diversity. In your essay, present a potential ethical challenge or dilemma related to these differing perspectives that may be faced by a clinician when providing services to clients and their families. Then, using ethics resources and the ASHA Code of Ethics (2016), identify one or more Principles and the corresponding Rule(s) that you believe have been violated, and provide a rationale for your choice(s). Finally, discuss what action(s) could have been taken to acknowledge and respond to the challenge or dilemma in order to prevent a violation of the Code of Ethics.

1st Place

Rachel Nelson

California State University, Fullerton
Essay Title: The Power of Communication: Implementing the Skills We Teach

2nd Place

Audrey McMillion

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Essay: The Ethics of Providing Interpretation and Translation Services for IEP Meetings

3rd Place

Sarah Masters

University of Kentucky
Essay: Implicit Bias Affecting Cultural Competence in Service Provisions: Ethical Considerations

2019 SEEA Recipients

Topic: Ethical Use of Social Media

Foundational to professional and ethical conduct is the commitment to hold the welfare of clients paramount. The utilization of social media has become widespread and has changed the way individuals, businesses, and organizations communicate; however, inappropriate use of social media in the professions can lead to ethical violations. Adherence to professional obligations and standards is essential to eliminate the chance of an ethical violation related to misuse of social media and social networking.

In your essay, present an ethical dilemma or challenge that may be faced by a clinician or researcher related to the misuse of social media and its numerous platforms. Then, using ethics resources and the ASHA Code of Ethics (2016), identify one or more Principles and the corresponding Rule(s) that you believe have been violated, and provide a rationale for your choice(s). Finally, discuss what action(s) you would take to resolve this dilemma.