Multiple CSD Alumni Awarded 2025 ASHA Early Career Professional Certificate
Every year, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) awards the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate, which recognizes audiologists and speech-language pathologists who demonstrate exceptional leadership, volunteerism, or advocacy within their professional and local communities. Eligible applicants must be ASHA members in good standing, 30 years old or younger or within the first five years of their career, have no prior service on ASHA’s Board of Directors, and not have previously received the certificate.
This year, multiple CSD alumni received this honor, including Jina Nam, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE, MS ’23, who is an adjunct associate professor at Pace University in the Department of BFA Acting and the Sands College of Performing Arts, as well as a voice faculty member at Marymount Manhattan College
“My work brings together clinical care, teaching, and mentorship to support healthy communication and empower the next generation of professionals in our field,” says Nam. “Clinically, I specialize in voice and swallowing rehabilitation, working with performers, educators, and individuals recovering from medical voice or swallowing disorders. I also lead community vocal health workshops for schools and theater groups—especially in places where access to voice care is limited.”
In both of her teaching positions, Nam helps students connect vocal physiology with expressive artistry. She loves seeing that “aha” moment when science and creativity meet for her students.
“Receiving the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate is both an honor and a humbling reminder of why I do this work,” says Nam. “My NYU Steinhardt professors and clinical supervisors taught me that leadership starts with listening, empathy, and service. Their belief in me gave me the courage to build a career that blends science, art, and advocacy.”
Another of this year’s Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate is Eleanor (Ellie) Steinmetz, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, MS ’23, who also uses her expertise to work with vocal artists, as well as other populations.
“Since graduating from NYU, I moved to Southeast Michigan to accept a CFY in voice and upper airway at Michigan Otolaryngology Surgery Associates in Ann Arbor,” says Steinmetz. “I am currently building a multidisciplinary voice clinic alongside my Vanderbilt-trained laryngology colleague, Dr. Meredith Montero, that offers voice, upper airway, and dysphagia care for all ages and patient population populations. In this position, I have begun building partnerships with local performing arts organizations and academic schools of music to better serve professional voice users and singers with their voice care. I have also created a competitive CFY and externship in voice and upper airway disorders.”
This award is important on a personal level to Steinmetz, who was diagnosed with bilateral vocal fold lesions as a senior in her undergraduate vocal performance program that required both therapeutic and surgical intervention to resolve.
“To now be able to help people in similar situations, and to be doing it at a level that garners recognition from my national certifying body is very surreal,” says Steinmetz.
Melody Ye, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, MS ’23, also received the award this year; she is a speech language pathologist at Adventist Health, where she is establishing the first speech-language pathology department at her hospital, which serves a rural and medically underserved community.
“This involves developing clinical infrastructure, creating protocols, and leading the implementation of both Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) programs—services that were previously unavailable to our patients,” says Ye. “Through this work, I’ve been able to advocate for comprehensive dysphagia management and elevate the role of SLPs within the hospital system.”
Outside of her clinical role, Ye is also a part-time content creator on Chinese social media, where she shares educational materials about speech-language pathology in Mandarin.
“[This award] encourages me to keep pushing for change and expanding access to high-quality care,” says Ye. “I want to continue growing as a leader and using my bilingual platform to share speech-language pathology knowledge with Chinese-speaking families, caregivers, and clinicians.”
Congratulations to Jessica Wright, MA ’23, who was also awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate this year.
