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.