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CSHA Leadership Development Program 2026-2027

CSHA Leadership Development Program 2026-2027

The CSHA Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a year-long professional development experience designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in speech-language pathology and audiology across California. Offered in partnership with ASHA’s Leadership Development Program, the LDP combines in-person and virtual learning, collaborative team experiences, and an individual leadership project.

What is the Leadership Development Program?

The Leadership Development Program is intended for California speech-language pathologists and audiologists with leadership potential who are interested in growing their skills and giving back to the professions through volunteering – whether with CSHA, at their workplace, or through a related professional organization.

Program Objectives

  • Enhance self-awareness and assess overall emotional intelligence
  • Build skills needed to function in a volunteer or professional leadership role
  • Increase self-confidence to apply for and succeed in a leadership position
  • Increase the quantity and depth of peer support relationships

Program Components

If selected, participants must commit to all program components, including:

  • Participation in the in-person kickoff workshop in Palo Alto on the evening of Friday, July 31, and all day Saturday, August 1
  • Completion of pre-recorded webinar sessions
  • Participation in scheduled monthly virtual meetings throughout the year
  • Development and completion of an individual leadership project
  • Active participation on a learning team
  • Presentation of the leadership project at Convergence [confirm year]

What is a Learning Team?

Participants are assigned to a learning team made up of other participants. Learning teams meet and work together in person at the kickoff workshop and virtually throughout the year. Each team serves as a participant’s project advisory board and provides a venue for deeper interaction, collaboration, and exploration of the content presented throughout the program.

Learning Topics

Participants will be assigned modules developed in partnership with the ASHA Leadership Development Program. Each module will consist of a pre-recorded webinar followed by a virtual facilitated session moderated by CSHA leadership.

Topics will be selected following the close of applications in order to help tailor the experience to the interests of the cohort. Topics may include high-performing teams, coaching and mentoring, conflict management, and strategic visioning and planning.

Leadership Projects

Individual leadership projects are focused on the development of projects for the betterment of CSHA, an individual workplace, community, or other volunteer organization. These projects should involve leadership activities such as working with a team or gathering the support of stakeholders.

Examples include:

  • Working on a project for your state association
  • Developing a support group or family training program
  • Working with a team to implement a new clinical or educational program
  • Working to advocate for reimbursement, legislation, or policy change

Please note: Participation in the Leadership Development Program does not imply CSHA’s endorsement or official support of participants’ projects. Prior CSHA approval must be obtained before using CSHA’s name on any communications associated with participation in the program.

Kickoff Workshop

The in-person kickoff workshop will take place in Palo Alto on the evening of Friday, July 31 and all day on Saturday, August 1.

The workshop will introduce participants to the materials and structure of the Leadership Development Program. Participants will review and reflect upon the results of their intake questionnaires, meet their learning teams, learn about models of leadership, and begin to collaborate on individual leadership projects.

Program Schedule

A full 2026-2027 program schedule will be posted soon.

(Placeholder: Monthly virtual session dates, topic schedule, and Convergence presentation details to be added here.)

Fees

(Placeholder: Participation fees for the 2026-2027 cohort will be confirmed soon.)

(Previous program fees included a reduced rate for CSHA members and covered the in-person program, materials, and related program components. Final 2026-2027 fee details will be posted once confirmed)

Who Can Apply?

The Leadership Development Program seeks energetic individuals who are motivated to influence professional issues in speech-language pathology or audiology.

Applicant requirements:

  • California resident
  • Hold a valid speech-language pathology, SLPA, or audiology license
  • Have completed RPE/CF prior to the start of the program, if applicable
  • No past, current, or incoming service on the CSHA Board of Directors
  • No prior participation in a previous ASHA Leadership Development Program cohort
  • Able to commit to the year-long program and all required components, including travel to the in-person kickoff in Palo Alto

How to Apply

(Placeholder: The application period for the 2026-2027 cohort will be posted here)

The application link will be added here as soon as the final details are confirmed.

Questions?

(Placeholder: Contact information for the 2026-2027 cohort will be added here once confirmed.)