SLP graduate student honored with Dolores Huerta Award for Excellence at NAU
Jacqueline Acuña, a graduate of NAU’s Master of Clinical Speech-Language Pathology program, was recently awarded the Dolores Huerta award for Graduate Student Excellence. The award honors students who embody the values of renown civil rights activist and American labor leader, Dolores Huerta, through their advocacy, community engagement, and service to diverse populations.
Throughout her time in the program, Acuña worked as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) in Texas where she provided services to children in a public-school setting. NAU’s clinical speech-language pathology summertrack program allowed her to work as an SLPA in Texas during the school year, and travel to Flagstaff in the summer to become a Speech-Language Pathologist.
During the program, she also pursued a graduate certificate in Culturally Responsive Practice in Speech-Language Pathology. Each school year, Acuna has continued to serve her public-school community in El Paso, Texas. There,she works to help provide speech therapy to more than 100 students ages three to 19, many of whom come from bilingual backgrounds.
Her career has reflected the mission behind the Dolores Huerta Award by emphasizing culturally responsible care for bilingual students and families. Through her implementation of inclusive practices, Acuña has advocated not only for her bilingual students, but has ensured their families feel heard, represented, and included in their child’s care.
“Thank you for nominating me for this award, I am a dedicated clinician who will continue to strive for excellence by providing high-quality, evidence-based speech language pathology services,” says Acuña. “I will continue to advocate for my bilingual students and families to better serve my community with integrity and compassion. Thank you for considering me for an award that honors students who resemble the values of Dolores Huerta through their daily experiences in their work.”
Acuna traveled from her home in Texas to celebrate her graduation and receive this prestigious award.
Contributed by, Emma Johnson