UVM Communication Sciences and Disorders

02/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/uvmcenteronaging/posts/pfbid02oeJpGiPeD2NkLzrpDqV33nyGRcx5FNrRMteXpYftb1HzRXsgRjvedoeMJtJa4wupl

02/18/2026

Dear ASHA Advocate,

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has proposed a rule that does not classify audiology and speech-language pathology degrees as “professional degrees.” As a result, students entering the professions would only have access to $100,000 in federal student loans. This proposed change threatens the pipeline into audiology and speech-language pathology and could reduce access to the vital services our professions provide.

https://www.asha.org/advocacy/takeaction/

Thank you for taking action on this issue in recent months. Your advocacy is making a difference—and now is a vital time to raise our voices and keep up the pressure.

Please take one (or more) of these actions today:
Write your legislators again. We’ve updated the letter you previously sent with new information legislators need to understand the impact of this rule.

Sign your profession’s comment letter to ED by February 27. We will submit two sign-on letters—one for audiology, one for speech-language pathology—alongside ASHA’s formal comment letter.

Call your legislators. Sharing your personal story directly is one of the most effective ways to influence policymakers.

Encourage others to act. Colleagues, friends, students, and supporters can write or call their legislators—even if they are not audiologists, SLPs, or students.

ASHA will submit formal comments by March 2. We also continue to engage with legislators and administration officials to demonstrate that audiology and speech-language pathology degrees meet the criteria for the “professional degree” category and should qualify for the lifetime maximum of $200,000 in federal student loans.

Thanks to the efforts of ASHA advocates, several legislators have already introduced legislation to counteract this rule. Your continued engagement is essential to protect our professions and the people we serve.

https://www.asha.org/advocacy/takeaction/

Take Action! Voice support for legislative efforts on behalf of the professions.

01/28/2026

Calling all families 📣 come help our SLP and OT graduate students learn about toddler feeding. See flyer below!

01/28/2026

Call to Action: Here is a VERY simple way to contact our legislators and let them know we want SLPs and AuD students to get proper funding for their graduate programs. See message from ASHA Advocacy below. You can edit the letter if you wish and you no not need to have an ASHA number.

ashaa.quorum.us/campaign/loanlimits119

You do NOT need to be an ASHA member to use this link-it's open to all concerned citizens. The tool makes it incredibly easy to send a message directly to your legislators.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) currently includes language that restricts federal student loan funds for programs not included in its specific definition of "professional programs." Despite Speech-Language Pathology meeting every criterion of a professional program-graduate degree, extensive clinical training, national certification (CCC-SLP), and state licensure-SLP has been left off the list.

This oversight could create significant barriers for aspiring clinicians, negatively impact enrollment in essential programs, and worsen workforce shortages that are already occurring in many areas.

SLPs and Audiologists are among the most fiscally responsible borrowers in higher education. Our graduates consistently secure competitive positions immediately upon graduation and maintain exceptionally low rates of student loan default.

Restricting access to federal funds is not only a mischaracterization of our professional status but also an unnecessary obstacle for a workforce that is desperately needed in schools, hospitals, and clinics across the country.

Please use the ASHA advocacy link below to contact your legislators and urge them to include Speech-Language Pathology in the definition of "professional programs":

ashaa.quorum.us/campaign/loanlimits119

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

12/12/2025

12/09/2025

About Me:

Hi everyone! I’m Ashley Couture, a Speech-Language Pathologist who has spent nearly 30 years helping people of all ages discover and use their true voice. I’ve always been drawn to communication—how it connects us, how it shapes participation, and how powerful it is when someone finally feels heard. That passion has guided me from my psychology studies at McGill
University, to graduate training at UVM, to decades of clinical work across medical, educational, and community settings. Currently, I practice in schools through part-time work with the
Vermont Interdisciplinary Team and work together with community service agencies to serve AAC needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

I’m originally from Massachusetts (yes, a proud Boston sports fan!) but Vermont has been home for almost three decades. Outside of work, you’ll find me reading, hiking and being outdoors with our rescue pup Lily, or playing games with friends and family.

I see myself as a facilitator and partner in the therapy process. For me, the heart of this work is building relationships, sharing knowledge, and working together to remove barriers so people
can participate fully in their lives. I also care deeply about creating spaces that are inclusive, affirming, and accessible for everyone.

About True Voice Speech Pathology Services:

I founded True Voice Speech Pathology Services because I believe every person deserves access to communication that feels authentic, functional, and empowering. My practice has
evolved and while I remain grounded in my ability to provide assessment and intervention for individuals with communication, cognitive, and swallowing needs— my primary focus now is
AAC assessment, intervention and training, always with a focus on evidence-based care and person-centered collaboration.

I support individuals who use AAC, across the age span including young people and adults with complex communication disabilities who are transitioning to new environments, services, or
routines. I help clients and teams navigate the full AAC process—from identifying needs to selecting systems to ensuring people, families, and caregivers feel confident using them in everyday life. I also support teams in understanding funding pathways and device acquisition so that communication tools become both accessible and sustainable.

True Voice is grounded in the belief that communication is a human right. My goal is always the same: to honor each person’s strengths, celebrate their individuality, and help them express their unique humanness with the world.

12/08/2025

Huzzahs to Dr. Liz Adams for her first publication as a PhD student with her mentor, Dr. Matthew McCluskey!!

CONGRATS on this tremendous accomplishment, Liz! 🤩

To manage costs and maintain personnel flexibility, universities have shifted to hiring more non–tenure-track (NTT) faculty. Clinical faculty are one subset of ...

12/04/2025

11/25/2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) made significant changes to the federal student loan program, including eliminating Grad PLUS loans and imposing new annual borrowing caps for undergraduate and graduate students. These caps include different loan limits for post-baccalaureate students who are enrolled in “graduate” programs ($20,500 annually/$100,000 lifetime) and higher limits for those enrolled in “professional degree” programs ($50,000 annually/$200,000 lifetime).

To implement the relevant provisions of OBBBA, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has developed a definition of “professional degree” that will be used for student loans beginning in the 2026 academic year that does not include audiology or speech-language pathology programs. In January, ED will formally publish this new definition for public comment. Ensuring that communication sciences and disorders (CSD) students have access to “professional degree” loan limits is vital to maintaining access for those entering these important programs.

Please complete the form to contact your members of Congress and ask them to urge ED to adopt a definition of “professional degree” program that includes graduate audiology and speech-language pathology programs.

https://ashaa.quorum.us/campaign/loanlimits119/

10/27/2025

Prospective UVM CSD Students are Wondering: Do you offer information sessions?

Yes! Sessions are scheduled at various times throughout the year virtually. To register for a grad session, please email cnhsgrad@uvm.edu.

Or, prospective students can add their contact information for either the UG or grad program here:

https://www.uvm.edu/cnhs/csd/program/master-science-communication-sciences-and-disorders

10/22/2025

Happy International Stuttering Awareness Day! Here's some ways to support folks who stutter from the National Stuttering Association (NSA).

We also have three free NSA Stuttering Support Groups here at UVM for all ages, so feel free to reach out if you know someone who stutters, or yourself, who might be interested in joining!

Go, Team Stuttering!

10/08/2025

We’re so excited to welcome Danielle Nickolson as the newest member of our UVM Eleanor M. Luse Center office admin team!

Danielle brings years of experience in early education, having served as a lead and mentor teacher, and her passion for communication and helping others shines through everything she does.

Her journey has come full circle—after studying Communication Sciences & Disorders in college and later gaining personal experience with speech therapy through her family and the UVM SLPA program, she’s thrilled to now be part of a team supporting this meaningful work.

Danielle is eager to contribute, learn, and grow alongside all of us. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 💚💛💚