Alumni Awards & Recognition

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The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders Alumni of Distinction Award

Recognizes an alum who demonstrates significant impact in one or more of the following areas:

  • Professional achievement
    • The recipient is dedicated to their chosen profession and goes above and beyond in their line of work; they are a role model in their profession and this impact reaches groups, individuals, and/or their larger chosen profession
  • Significant contributions to research and/or education
    • The recipient stands out in the field of research as having made compelling and impactful progress towards the advancement of their discipline, and is committed to continuing their learning and education either through everyday practice or higher education
  • Commitment to community and leadership
    • The recipient is a leader who is committed to bettering their community or the Western community, successfully enriching the lives of others through community service and exemplary leadership

*Based on nominations received, the selections committee may determine that there may be one recipient from the Speech-Language Pathology program AND one recipient from the Audiology program.


Current Winners

2025 Alumni of Distiction Award Recipients

Melinda Hinch

Melinda Hinch

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Western Ontario in 1989, Melinda pursued a Master of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology from UWO, graduating in 1991. Her dedication to learning and leadership continued with a Master of Education in Leadership and Curriculum from the University of Windsor in 1997. 

Melinda’s professional journey in speech-language pathology began with the Halton Board of Education, where she focused on teaching kindergarten language classes. Shortly thereafter, she embarked on an impactful career with the Greater Essex County District School Board, serving for over three decades until retirement in 2025. During Melinda’s tenure, she embraced numerous opportunities to create and analyze curricular resources designed to support the communication development of all students in the areas of oral and written language, emotional literacy, play, math vocabulary, and functional communication. Her expertise led to a secondment to the curriculum department, where she played a pivotal role in advancing the Right to Read: the Ontario Human Rights Commission Action. Under her leadership, the board gained recognition for its proactive approach, surpassing provincial standards with the implementation of literacy screeners, diagnostic tools, and targeted literacy and language interventions. 

Following Melinda’s retirement, she has redirected efforts toward a specialized interest in reading interventions for students with complex profiles including Developmental Language Disorder, Autism, and Down Syndrome. Additionally, she remains deeply committed to advocacy, striving to ensure these students receive evidence-based interventions that empower them to thrive to their fullest academically and beyond.