A 1981 graduate of the Master of Health Science in Communication Disorders program, offered through GSU's College of Health and Human Services, was recently elected a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Regina Goings of Las Vegas, NV, was formally recognized with a presentation at the ASHA awards ceremony in November 2014, at the ASHA Convention in Orlando, FL.
“I’m delighted to know that a GSU alumna received such well-deserved professional recognition,” noted Jay Lubinsky, Ph.D., CCC-A/SLP, ASHA Fellow, Professor Emeritus and former Chairperson of the Department of Communication Disorders at Governors State University. “Regina exemplifies the seriousness of CDIS’s students and, as GSU alumni, their ongoing excellence as speech-language pathologists.” Dr. Lubinsky was Goings’ nominating sponsor.
Since 2008, Goings has served as Director of Speech-Language Therapy and Audiology Services for the Clark County (Nevada) school district — the fifth largest school district in the country.
Being named an ASHA Fellow is quite an honor, Lubinsky pointed out. “ASHA has more than 173,000 members; this year only 39 people received Fellowship. The nomination and selection processes are quite rigorous. Members selected as Fellows must display evidence of sustained excellence in three categories; in Goings’ case, it is clinical service, administration and service to professional organizations other than ASHA.”
Recalling her years in the CDIS program at GSU, Goings noted, “The quality of education, by far, was excellent. The professors were knowledgeable, passionate about their areas of expertise, and accessible to and supportive of the students,” she said. “We had a strong knowledge base which made us well prepared for the ASHA exam; many of us were able to pass it on the first attempt.”
Perseverance Pays
Upon first enrolling, Going remembers feeling “somewhat overwhelmed. I was not a stellar undergraduate student, but I knew that this was the profession where I would do well.” She persevered, remaining focused and committed.
Goings credits Professor Emeritus Lubinsky with making Audiology “less intimidating. He set high standards for his students, yet he provided support when we needed it. After more than 30 years of practice, I still rely on the knowledge that I obtained under his tutelage,” Goings said.
Following graduation from GSU, Goings career path began in the Chicago Public Schools system, where she worked with children with severe-to-profound intellectual disabilities and autism. But that path moved westward once her husband was transferred to Las Vegas.
As the Director of Speech-Language Therapy and Audiology Services for Nevada’s Clark County School District, “it is imperative that I remain knowledgeable of current trends and developments,” Goings said, “especially as technology continues to drive the profession. Dr. Lubinsky provided that foundation and helped to ease the intimidation.”
In addition to her responsibilities to the school district, Goings serves as a member of ASHA’s School Finance Committee. She is also the Southern Nevada representative for the Coalition to Address Critical Labor Shortages in Special Education, which is an ad hoc committee of the Nevada Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSHA). As a member of the Nevada Medicaid Committee, Goings is responsible for reviewing and providing recommendations that support Medicaid billing for related services in Nevada schools.
“We in the College of Health and Human Services are justly proud of Ms. Goings’ accomplishments. She sets an excellent example and serves as a role model for all our students,” said Elizabeth Cada, Ed.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.