A West Texas A&M University communication disorders instructor has won his third national award.

Zeth Collom, a speech-language pathologist who has taught at WT since 2017, recently was given American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Award for Continuing Education. He previously was awarded the prize in February and November 2019.

The award is “a formal recognition of professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to lifelong learning,” according to ASHA’s website. To win the award, members must earn seven continuing education units, equivalent to 70 contact hours, within a 36-month period.

“We try to instill in our students that learning is going to occur for the rest of their lives, and I think we should practice that as well,” Collom said. “At the end of the day, I’m not expecting my students to do anything I’m not willing to do.”

Collom, who earned his master’s in communication disorders at WT in 2015, serves as both an academic and clinical instructor for WT, providing supervision to graduate students at the WT Speech and Hearing Clinic. There, he works alongside his former instructor, Dr. Brenda Cross, the communication disorders department head who also recently was named Best Audiologist in Best of Amarillo 2020.

“Zeth is devoted to life-long learning,” Cross said. “He is focused on research and best-evidence-based practice. Zeth also is excellent at tying the clinic to the classroom.”

Faculty excellence is a key component of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

-West Texas A&M University