July 2025 President’s Corner

Growing up in a single-parent Hispanic household, my family was my community. I always felt included. Then, moving 2,000 miles away, I had to find where I belonged. This process is not easy! It means you have to be a little vulnerable and open to making new friends. Even then, if you don’t know where to look it can become even more daunting.

In many areas of our field, there isn’t a lot of representation which makes it difficult for students to feel like they belong. It’s scary. When I went to my first AAA conference in 2024, I truly felt seen and represented by so many other hispanic and latino audiologists in our field. One of my favorite sessions at the conference was the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) student symposium that led to so many good conversations and connections. It inspired me so much that I jumped at the opportunity to serve as the Academy’s DEIB Committee student liaison on the national SAA board.

Over the past year, I’ve learned so much from audiologists that are representative of so many powerful groups within our field. This committee is dedicated to not only helping audiologists, but also students feel heard, seen, and represented. They create a safe space and give a voice to support students and clinicians alike. They do so by leading by example and showing others important skills, such as setting boundaries, self advocacy, using inclusive language, and more.

The Academy’s DEIB Committee also works to show audiology students and professionals how to apply these skills when interacting with patients or others in a clinical setting. Being a part of this committee has connected me to other groups like the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing, as well as other unaffiliated student led groups like AuD Students of Color.

With this in mind, it is clear that the American Academy of Audiology has worked to create the  most incredible resources for both students and professionals alike. These resources include the  Social Responsibility Subcommittee, which promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the audiology student community, as well as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging web page on the Academy’s website. While these resources are a great start, there is always room for more! If there is an audiology resource related to DEIB that you believe would be helpful for you and other students, please let me know by sending me an email!

Hector Sanchez
2025-2026 National SAA President