Nicholls students with an interest or majoring in communicative sciences and disorders have access to an organization that can prepare them for their future career and involve them in various charities.The Nicholls chapter of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) meets every other Wednesday at 1 p.m. in 105 Talbot Hall. Anyone is welcome to join. The organization has about 25 members so far this semester according to Amy Pellegrin, president.
NSSLHA provides information to communicative disorders majors about the field. At least one guest speaker addresses the group each semester.
Lynne Bourgeois, NSSLHA advisor and allied health sciences instructor, said that in the past a counselor, a speech and lung pathologist, an ear, nose and throat doctor and a student with a master’s degree in communicative disorders were some of the guest speakers. Being in the organization gives members the opportunity to interact with and learn from professionals. NSSLHA also gives members free access to professional literature that otherwise has to be purchased. The only cost is a one-time membership fee of $10.
Members of NSSLHA who receive these services, in turn offer services to the community. Most NSSLHA members work at the Jo Carol Nolen Speech Language and Hearing Center in Talbot Hall. Doctors and teachers refer clients to this clinic, and the therapy is free. Each semester, NSSLHA throws a party for the children clients and their siblings. This semester’s party is Halloween-themed and will take place Oct. 27.
NSSLHA chooses charities to donate to each year. Later this semester NSSLHA will be collecting cola can tabs to benefit the New Orleans Ronald McDonald House, a charity that provides a place where terminally ill children can stay while receiving treatment at a hospital in the area. The tabs will be taken to a recycling center and redeemed for cash. The money will be used for purchasing paper products and meals for the home.
In the past the Nicholls branch has donated money to the Cancer Society, the Stuttering Foundation, the Salvation Army and Paws With a Cause – a charity that trains dogs to assist the hearing impaired.
For more information about joining the Nicholls chapter, contact Lynne Bourgeois, adviser, at 448-4583.
