Tedd Masiongale, MA CCC-SLP, clinical instructor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been named a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Speech-Language Pathology.  This award is a high honor for NAP, which unites professionals in their commitment to transform health and well-being. Masiongale’s induction into the Class of 2025 took place at the NAP Annual Meeting and Forum Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC, on March 15.

Founded in 1981, NAP was formulated to advance interprofessional education, scholarship, research, practice, and public policy. When asked about receiving recognition from NAP, Masiongale, said, "It’s quite an honor to be recognized by my peers for my work in Interprofessional Practice."

Masiongale's work at SIUE exemplifies the University’s commitment towards innovation and excellence in healthcare education. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, he is an experienced figure inside American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), with multiple board positions and committee posts. Masiongale has advanced Interprofessional Practice and Education at SIUE. He has facilitated collaboration through simulation with nursing, interprofessional education across multiple disciplines and a dual national presentation with SIUE's Cindi Inman, MS RD LD, undergraduate Nutrition Program Director.

Masiongale also finds great rewards in mentoring the graduate students at SIUE, shaping the future of speech-language pathology education. "I enjoy helping graduate students refine and develop clinical skills on their initial paths toward becoming a speech-language pathologist," he said.

"Graduate school is the entry point to the profession. Each generation of new students engages in education in different ways. I’ve been able to see this changing landscape and adjust my teaching and supervisory skills to match their needs."

Looking ahead, Masiongale is a candidate for ASHA’s Vice President of Planning. He continues collaborations on student learning post-COVID, further elevating SIUE’s influence, and recently gave a talk with two faculty members from Fontbonne University on student learning post-COVID. Masiongale is also working on a national survey with colleagues from the University of Iowa and the University of Colorado that will be published this year.

As a Distinguished Fellow, Masiongale joins an elite group of professionals from 17 other academies-Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, and beyond-all under NAP's mission to better healthcare and policy for all. His induction not only celebrates his individual excellence but also shines a spotlight on SIUE’s growing legacy as a hub for interprofessional healthcare education and innovation. 

PHOTO:  Tedd Masiongale, MA CCC-SLP, clinical instructor; photo by Howard Ash