SLU SLHS Chairperson Given Rare Honor
Saint Louis University (SLU) Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) Chairperson Travis Threats, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, FNAP, was recently named one of the recipients of the Honors of Association from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The award recognizes the recipients’ distinguished and exceptional contributions that have enhanced or altered the course of the field of speech, language and hearing over the course of their career. In an association of over 218,000 professionals, only a select number of individuals each year receive this award; it is the highest honor of the ASHA.
Nominees for the ASHA Honors of Association award are well known in their field throughout the nation and the world for a lifetime of innovative clinical practice, insightful and rigorous research, creative administration, effective legislative activity, outstanding teaching or other distinguished professional contributions. To be considered, a nominee must have a sponsor and at least two co-sponsors who submit letters supporting the nominee’s distinguished contributions.
A key contributing factor to the nomination of Dr. Threats was his scholarly work with the World Health Organization (WHO) on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). He has been the ASHA representative liaison to the WHO since 1999 and was the primary contributor to the communication, hearing and swallowing sections of the ICF. Dr. Threats has also recognized for his publications and presentations internationally his three other scholarly interests: spirituality/religiosity in rehabilitation, evidence-based practice and rehabilitation ethics.
Dr. Threats looked back on his career so far and still could not believe where his career had led him.
“I first started attending ASHA conventions when I was a Ph.D. student. At the time, I did not think that I would ever be one of the people being so honored. When I looked at a list of past winners of the Honors of Association, I realized that they were the authors of many of my textbooks, had held ASHA office, had titles of dean or chair. Not only did I not think that I would be in their company one day, but I doubted I would of any of those type of accomplishments,” Dr. Threats said.
Dr. Threats went on to explain how having the opportunity to work with and learn from many great collaborators helped him get to where he is now.
“Early in my career, I was fortunate to have some past awardees as mentors or collaborators. At that point, I was just honored to have those people willing and wanting to work with me,” Dr. Threats said. “When they started quoting my work in their presentations, I was ecstatic. However, even then, I did not think I would be ‘one of them’ someday. To sum up how I feel: I feel blessed.”
The nomination of Dr. Threats for the ASHA Honors of Association was sponsored by Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, FASHA, Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University – Sacramento and previous recipient of the ASHA Honors of Association. Dr. Roseberry-McKibbin was eager to advocate for Dr. Threats to receive the prestigious award.
“It was my great honor and pleasure to nominate Dr. Threats for ASHA’s Honors of Association,” Dr. Roseberry-McKibbin said. “He has significantly altered the course of our profession through his 30+ years of insightful and rigorous research and distinguished scholarship, administrative service and outstanding teaching and mentoring of future speech-language pathologists.”
Dr. Threats will be presented with the Honors of Association award at the ASHA National Convention in New Orleans this November.
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.