Fellowship is one of the highest honors the Association bestows. To be awarded Fellow, the nominee must have made outstanding contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.
The key word for this award is "outstanding:" the nominee must truly stand out among one's peers. The term implies contributions that are significant and would be so regarded within and beyond one's community or state. While there are thousands of members who fulfill their professional responsibilities competently, only a small percentage have, by virtue of the quality and amount of their contributions, distinguished themselves sufficiently to warrant recognition.
The Committee on Honors awards nominees solely on the information provided in the nomination documents prepared by the sponsor. When information and/or documentation are incomplete, the Committee may be unable to award deserving individuals.
Note: The nominee may provide supporting information directly to the sponsor and may assist in the preparation of the document. However, the sponsor has ultimate responsibility for the final nomination materials. Once the materials have been submitted, the nomination process should remain confidential among the sponsors and the Committee on Honors.
Nominees for Fellow must show outstanding contributions to their profession within and beyond one's community or state in three of the six areas listed below. The nomination is evaluated only on the three areas designated by the sponsor and agreed upon by the co-sponsors. The reviewers will be looking for objective evidence of specific accomplishments in the identified three of the six areas. Sponsors are encouraged to focus on both the quantity and quality of the nominee's achievements. The letters should describe clearly the outcomes and significance of the nominee's achievements in each area and should explain why the contributions are outstanding. Achievements should be specific to one area, that is, the same accomplishment should not be used as evidence for outstanding contributions in more than one area.
1. Clinical Service in the Area of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Documentation should be in the form of factual information that verifies the quality, extent and outcomes of outstanding clinical service. Examples of ways an individual may have rendered outstanding clinical service include the following:
Neither an occasional letter of appreciation from clients and/or patients, nor routine performance of high-quality professional services is sufficient, in itself, as documentation of outstanding clinical services.
2. Clinical Education and Academic Teaching in Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Related Areas. Evidence of outstanding contributions may include (but are not restricted to) the following:
3. Research and Publications Contributing to the Knowledge Needed by the Professions. Evidence of excellence in this area should include a listing of professional presentations and publications and their theoretical or practical impact. Publications should be in the American Psychological Association format for references employed by the ASHA journals. Evidence of outstanding contributions may include (but are not restricted to) the following:
The amount and quality of supervision and mentoring of others in the area of Research and Publications may be included in this area. (Unpublished reports and other research efforts of limited scope or availability to the profession are not considered sufficient evidence of an outstanding contribution in this category.)
4. Administrative Services in the Area of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, and Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. Evidence of contributions in this area may include:
Quality of administrative activity should be evidenced by information pertaining to broad planning and administration of programs that have impact on the quality of service or the image of the profession; development and administration of innovative programs directed at special needs; and/or growth patterns in programs administered, e.g., increases in scope of service/research, funding, staff development. Outcomes and the quality and impact of those outcomes should be addressed for key administrative roles.
5. Service to ASHA. Evidence of outstanding leadership and/or service to ASHA may include:
Documentation in this area should address how the nominee's service and participation contributed to quality outcomes that impacted the professions. Regular attendance at professional meetings and/or presentation of papers at such meetings is not construed to be sufficient evidence of outstanding contributions in this context.
6. Service to and Leadership Positions in State Speech-Language-Hearing Associations and/or Other Related Local, Regional, National or International Professional Organizations (not ASHA). Evidence of contributions in this area may include:
Documentation in this area should address how the nominee's service and participation contributed to quality outcomes. Regular attendance at professional meetings and/or presentation of papers at such meetings is not construed to be sufficient evidence of outstanding contributions in this context.
Failure to adhere to all required components and instructions will result in rejection of the nomination. Any materials exceeding the specified number of pages will also be rejected.
Nomination schedule and submission process
Still Have Questions? Contact governance@asha.org.