Prof Michelle Mentis Named American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Fellow

Clinical Professor Michelle Mentis, chair of the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, has been named a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The status of Fellow is retained for life and is one of the highest honors ASHA can bestow.

This honor recognizes professional or scientific achievement and is given to an ASHA member who has made outstanding contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. According to ASHA, “a nominee must truly stand out among one’s peers” with significant contributions that “would be so regarded within and beyond one’s community or state.” While thousands of members 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 this recognition.

Mentis is an expert in pediatric language disorders with special interests in language analysis and preschool language intervention. In 2015, she co-founded Sargent’s Preschool Intensive Language Intervention Program, a four-week summer program that improves children’s communication skills through individual and group therapy sessions based around stories, games, and play.

“Dr. Mentis’ leadership and creativity have long been recognized nationally by her peers,” said BU Sargent College Dean Chris Moore. “It’s gratifying to see this public acknowledgement of her important contributions to the discipline in multiple areas, including research, education, clinical practice and advocacy for our students and patients.”

She will be formally recognized at the 2019 ASHA Convention in Orlando, Florida in November.