Student Engagement Committee

SCSHA Student Engagement Committee

The SCSHA Student Engagement Committee aims to supercharge student engagement with SCSHA, offering a dynamic leadership platform within the organization. It ensures students’ voices are heard by providing the SCSHA Executive Board with insightful feedback on professional development, leadership opportunities, and programs for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Our students are the future of our fields! Let’s join together to ensure they are empowered and actively engaged in our remarkable state organization!

 

Azaria Loyd
Columbia College

Azaria Loyd is a junior in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Columbia College in South Carolina. With five years of experience as a photojournalist in the U.S. Air Force, she has refined her communication skills. However, it was her time at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, where she worked with children and young adults with disabilities, that truly ignited her passion for helping others. Now, as she aims to become a speech-language pathologist, the combination of her communication skills and compassion has inspired her goal of working in healthcare and rehabilitation settings to help others find their voices.

MeKayla Tolar
South Carolina State University

My name is MeKayla Tolar, and I am a senior Speech Pathology and Audiology major at South Carolina State University, graduating in May 2026. I work as a Community Assistant, where I help support and connect students on campus. I also serve as Miss NSSLHA 2025–2026, where I host monthly community service projects and events through the NSSLHA Undergraduate Association. I am a member of both NSSLHA and NBASLH, which allow me to stay involved in my field and serve others. I have also taken part in a study abroad trip to Trinidad and Tobago and will be traveling to Lagos, Nigeria in October for another cultural experience. I enjoy creating spaces where students feel included and supported, and I want to continue bringing that energy into the SLP field.

Wesley Kephart
University of South Carolina

Wesley Kephart is a second-year graduate student in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Science and Disorders. In the future, Wesley hopes to pursue a career in Voice Disorders and obtain his PhD working to improve clinical treatment options for patients with voice disorders. He has presented research at national conferences, including the Fall Voice Conference and participated as a panelist at the South Carolina Speech Hearing Association Convention.


He currently serves as President for the University of South Carolina's chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and is a member of the ASHA SIG 3 Professional Development Committee. Wesley values student engagement and mentorship and is committed to strengthening connections between students and professionals within the field of Speech-Language Pathology.

 

Jaydah Felder
South Carolina State University

I am a junior majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology with the intent to also pursue graduate study in Speech-Language Pathology. I serve as President-elect of my university’s NSSLHA chapter, where I assist in leading activities and initiatives to boost student engagement, leadership development, and professional growth for future clinicians. I also serve as a liaison for a medical brigade to Guatemala; gaining experience in organization, planning, and community outreach. Through these roles, I have gained skills in leadership, mentoring, and project management while deepening my passion for connecting students to opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers in this field

Rayven Brown
South Carolina State University

My name is Rayven Brown, and I am a second-year graduate student at South Carolina State University, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in 2024. My passion for speech-language pathology runs deep, I grew up with deaf parents and a younger sister who received speech services. From an early age, I served as my mother’s ears, which sparked my commitment to helping others communicate. During my undergraduate years, I faced significant challenges, including the loss of both my mother and grandmother within months of each other. As the oldest of five, I learned to balance family responsibilities with school while ensuring I graduated on time. These experiences taught me resilience, responsibility, and perseverance. I see myself as a leader who values respect, collaboration, and growth. I hope to continue learning alongside other leaders while contributing my knowledge, dedication, and lived experiences to the
profession.