July 2021 Advisors Corner

This year has been another long one but you made it, summer is finally here! I understand in graduate school summer doesn’t necessarily equate to less work. Hopefully, you’re able to carve out some time to spend outdoors, enjoy the sunshine, and socialize with the people you love.

With this change in seasons also comes a change in leadership. I’m very excited to congratulate and welcome the 2021-2022 SAA Board of Directors. Each year, I am so impressed with the accomplishments of the SAA Board, and I cannot wait to see what the national and local chapters achieve over the next academic year.

Similarly, as the board transitions, so does the Student Academy of Audiology Advisory Committee (SAAAC) Chair. The last five years serving on the SAAAC, the last three as Chair, have been an invaluable experience. I had the opportunity to mentor current and future leaders of our profession. Along the same lines, this provided me with the chance to learn from and be mentored by these same people. My time with the SAAAC challenged my leadership skills, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and forced me to grow both personally and professionally; I thank you for that.

I am thrilled to introduce you to the incoming SAAAC Chair, Sarah Ostlie, AuD. Dr. Ostlie and I met when she served on the 2016-2017 SAA Board of Directors as the Chapter Relations Committee Chair; I was her mentor. Since then, we grew to be very close friends and I’m so thankful for that. Knowing that you will be under Dr. Ostlie’s mentorship makes this transition that much easier.

The SAA has been one of the parts of the Academy that I value most; I have learned so much and been so inspired working with our future leaders. Since 2013, I transitioned from SAA Board to SAAAC Member to SAAAC Chair; the SAA will always hold a special place in my heart. I cannot articulate how grateful I am that you took me along on this journey.

Thanks to each and every one of you for helping our profession continuously grow and cheers to the 2021 graduates!

Ashley Hughes, AuD, SAA Advisory Committee (SAAAC) Chair

Message from Sarah Ostlie, AuD, SAA Advisory Committee (SAAAC) Chair-Elect

Hello, Student Academy of Audiology members!

I am ecstatic to be taking on this new role with you. As Dr. Hughes mentioned, we both come from a background of volunteerism within the SAA as students and it impacted us both greatly – so much so that we have stuck around after graduating for more volunteer work. I look forward to spending the next two years working with your SAA Board of Directors and taking all of the opportunities, challenges, and excitements hand-in-hand with you all!

Sarah Ostlie, AuD, SAA Advisory Committee (SAAAC) Chair-Elect