UW’s Peterson Awarded Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate

Amy Peterson, an assistant professor in the Division of Communication Disorders in the University of Wyoming's College of Health Sciences, was recently awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

ASHA created the Distinguished ECP Certificate to recognize and identify ECPs in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology who are making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteering or advocacy at the local, state and/or national level. The certificate also highlights the involvement of ECPs in their local, state and community speech-language-hearing associations.

Peterson was selected based on her impact as an early career faculty member and her service as current president of the Wyoming Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WyoSHA). She was nominated as president-elect at the WyoSHA conference last fall and advocated for a two-year presidential term.

During her first year as president, she has applied for several funding opportunities to increase membership and advocacy for communication disorders at the state level. Peterson was awarded a $750 ASHA grant this month for a student advocacy day at the State Capitol in spring 2025 in conjunction with the UW chapter of the National Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA).

Peterson also was selected as one of 30 members of the ASHA Leadership Development Program 2024-25 cohort for her project proposal to increase student membership and involvement in the state organization. The combination of the ECP recognition and involvement in the Leadership Development Program during the award cycle highlights her commitment to the profession, volunteering and advocacy for those with communication disorders.

"I am honored to receive the ECP and to be considered a leader in the field for my work and service to the profession. As the current president of WyoSHA, I have enjoyed building strong networks with our chapter of the NSSLHA and writing grants for projects to promote both organizations throughout the state," Peterson says. "I am excited to continue this work and to find new ways to inspire student advocates to make connections who will be passionate clinicians and, hopefully, enthusiastic WyoSHA members in the future. I am thankful for the support of my colleagues in the division as I develop my service and leadership skills."

Earning the award and the ASHA grant allows Peterson to inspire students through teaching and advising to consider different ways to advocate for people with communication disorders.

"Advocating for the profession and awareness of communication disorders might look different for the next generation of communication disorder professionals, and I want them to know that sharing research and information through their social media platforms can make a big difference in the way the world sees and supports those with different communication abilities," Peterson adds. "Advocacy does not always have to look like a trip to the Capitol; there are things we can easily do in our daily scrolling of social media."

Mark Guiberson, professor and director of the Division of Communication Disorders, says Peterson's selection for the award is well-deserved.

"Her leadership as president of WyoSHA, commitment to advocacy and ability to mentor UW students pursuing careers in communication disorders is inspiring," he says. "We are proud to have her in the Division of Communication Disorders, and her impact on leadership and mentoring in the field in Wyoming and beyond is exceptional."

Michelle Hilaire, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, adds, "This recognition is a testament to Amy's leadership and her forward-thinking approaches to connecting with the next generation of students."

About the University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences

UW's College of Health Sciences trains health and wellness professionals and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, speech-language pathology, social work, kinesiology, public health, health administration and disability studies. The college also oversees residency and fellowship programs in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as operating a speech/hearing clinic in Laramie and primary care clinics in Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne.

With more than 1,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the college is dedicated to training the health and wellness workforce of Wyoming and conducting high-quality research and community engagement, with a particular focus on rural and frontier populations.