2025 Continuing Education Board (CEB)

The CEB develops the standards for the ASHA Continuing Education (CE) program. It comprises nine volunteer ASHA members and two monitoring vice presidents from the ASHA Board of Directors who serve as liaisons. The ASHA CE staff at the National Office implement the standards developed by the CEB. Twenty ASHA CE staff directly support the CEB's work. The ASHA CE program:

• Promotes participation in CE by audiologists and speech-language pathologists
• Approves providers that meet CEB standards
• Evaluates and registers CE courses offered by ASHA CE Providers
• Awards ASHA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to participants in registered courses
• Issues official ASHA CE Registry transcripts
• Transmits ASHA CEU information to credentialing and licensing agencies
• Provides an Award for Continuing Education (ACE) as an incentive for participation in CE
• Maintains a computerized recordkeeping service through the ASHA CE Registry

Anu Subramanian, PhD, CCC-SLP, Chair

Anu is a clinical associate professor and director of clinical education at the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Iowa. She supervises graduate students in stuttering (across the age span) and pediatric clinical placements, including early intervention. She teaches classes in Counseling, Supervision, and Foundations of Clinical Practice. Her interests are in early intervention, stuttering, and clinical education. She is an alumni of the CAPCSD Leadership Academy from 2019 and serves on the coordinating committee for SIG 11.

Melisa Abernathy, MA, CCC-SLP

Melisa Abernathy is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, currently working in a middle school setting in the state of Georgia. Melisa attended North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT) to complete her undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders in 2014. She attended Syracuse University for her master’s degree in 2016. During her undergraduate studies Melisa was a member of both National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH). While attending NCAT, she presented multiple poster sessions and technical sessions at NBASLH. While attending Syracuse University, Melisa was selected as a member of the Minority Student Leadership Program class of 2015 and attended the ASHA convention. She continues to expand her knowledge within the field and has joined several SIGs. Currently, Melisa is pursuing her clinical doctorate at Nova Southeastern University.

Stephanie DiSpigno, AuD, CCC-A

Stephanie is an audiologist at Listen 2 Life Hearing Center, a private practice in southeastern Pennsylvania that specializes in diagnostic testing and hearing aid dispensing. Prior to entering private practice, Stephanie worked in the ENT setting in Columbus, Ohio. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University and her Doctorate of Audiology from Northwestern University.

April Dolan, AuD, CCC-A

April is the Continuing Education Administrator for AudiologyOnline, a Continued site. April earned a BS in Audiology and BA in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011, and an AuD from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016. April spent several years in private practice as a dispensing audiologist and contract disability evaluation audiologist. She most recently served as a dispensing audiologist and tinnitus specialist at the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center in Temple,TX before joining AudiologyOnline in February 2021.

Phillip Erkkila, MA, CCC-SLP

Phillip serves as the Professional Development Team Lead, the ASHA Continuing Education Administrator, and a Bloom Clinical Manager for The Stepping Stones Group. He has experience working in various settings, including public, private, and charter schools, private practice, early intervention, acute care hospitals, and adult home health. Phillip has developed and presented numerous topics in speech-language pathology, covering areas such as treatment practices for children with ASD, behavior management, collaborative service delivery, self-assessment, and the importance of soft skills. He is also the host of The Stepping Stones Group's "Knowledge Quest," a Praxis prep game show presented at state and national SLP conventions. He is an alumnus of ASHA’s Leadership Development Program, a member of the ASHA Continuing Education Board, and a recipient of multiple ASHA Continuing Education (ACE) Awards.

Lanolin Joseph, MA CCC-SLP

Lanolin is a speech-language pathologist who has 15 years experience working with individuals with special needs in a private school setting. It is here where she also serves as a clinical educator to graduate student clinicians. Lanolin is active with the augmentative alternative communication, membership and mentorship committees of her state speech-language association. Lanolin's experiences with ASHA include participation in the Minority Student Leadership Program, the Leadership Development Program and the Leadership Mentoring Program. Additionally, Lanolin has extensive professional development training in her areas of interest: clinical supervision and augmentative alternative communication. It is this love for learning that has earned her four ASHA Awards for Continuing Education.

Lisa Kathman, MS, CCC-SLP

Lisa Kathman has been a speech-language pathologist for over 25 years. Her entire career has focused on pediatrics in schools, clinics and home health. Additionally, Lisa served as the lead SLP in the largest school district in Arizona for 6 years. She has a passion for solving issues in the school setting. Lisa is the co-founder of the innovative web app, SLP Toolkit, which launched in January 2016, as well as Bright Ideas Media, an ASHA-approved CEU provider that has hosted courses and conferences since 2019 (including SLP Summit, SLP Telecon, The Speech Sound Disorder Series,The Embracing Expertise Series, and The Equity Series).

Darius Laron Thomas, CCC-SLP

Darius is a professor, visionary, and trailblazer in the field of speech-language pathology, whose innovative approach has revolutionized the way clients are evaluated and treated around the world. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Therapy, Darius has established himself as a global leader in the profession, renowned for his expertise, mentorship, and motivational speaking. In addition to his pioneering work in speech-language pathology, Darius has further demonstrated his entrepreneurial prowess by successfully founding and managing four thriving businesses, a testament to his multifaceted talents and dedication to making a significant impact in various industries. As a subject matter expert in the LGBTQ+ space, Darius also consults with organizations and companies to ensure they create inclusive and affirming environments. He firmly believes in the power of diversity and is committed to promoting equality and social justice through his work. Beyond his clinical work, Darius is an accomplished volunteer, serving in various leadership positions within the District of Columbia Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing. He is a true advocate for minority representation and played a pivotal role in giving voting rights to student representatives on the board of NBASLH.

Laura Wolford, PhD, MS CCC-SLP, CSE

Laura is an assistant professor at MGH Institute of Health Professions in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department, where she directs the TASSEL (Teaching And Supporting Student Experience in Learning) lab. Her research explores how clinicians learn “soft” skills like counseling, prioritizing person-centered care, and navigating uncomfortable conversations. As a disability justice activist and certified sex educator, Laura has founded a continuing education organization, The SPICE Institute. It seeks to teach speech-language pathologists how to address intimacy and consent-related communication with their clients. She also provides free and sliding-scale services to clients with communication disorders to address these issues. In her service roles, Laura has co-organized two symposia for the Pan American Vocology Association and has served on the ASHA Scientific and Professional Education Board. She currently acts as a copyeditor for the journal Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders and is serving on the Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural-Linguistic Diversity committee for the 2023 ASHA conference.