Why are you interested in joining the national SAA Board of Directors?

I am interested in gaining new perspectives from students and audiologists over the country. I have been in Boulder for four and a half years now, and I am eager to meet new people who share the same passion for audiology. I hope to gain confidence around communication and responsibility. This is a very serious and amazing opportunity, and I think I can learn a lot from it that I can take into my future. Communication with authority, or those in a higher position than me, has always been difficult, so I think being on the board would help me grow.

If you could change one thing about the profession of audiology, what would it be?

Increasing Deaf advocacy for those with hearing loss is important to me. I think audiologists need to be aware of Deaf issues in their communities. Parents of d/Deaf and hard of hearing children need to be aware of the possibilities of learning and teaching their child sign language. Deaf culture and communities are amazing spaces for people who have hearing loss. I think audiologists need to have resources available for people with hearing loss, and encourage parents to involve their children with d/Deaf and hard of hearing communities, as well as maintain their family language. I would encourage AuD programs to include a Deaf culture course.