Meet the Candidates for the 2023-2024 National SAA Board of Directors President-Elect Position

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to vote for the 2023-2024 national Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) Board of Directors! The SAA Board of Directors serves as the connection among the national SAA, local SAA chapters, student volunteers, and student members. Board members represent the breadth and depth of SAA initiatives and interests by serving as committee chairs guided by the strategic direction in the areas of public awareness, philanthropy, leadership, education, communications, chapter and member relations, and the annual AAA Conference programming.  

This year, there are four candidates for the President-Elect position. The President-Elect is a three-year term. The President-Elect shadows the President, serves as a stand-in/replacement if the President cannot perform duties, and oversees the transition of the SAA Board of Directors into the following year. 

PLEASE NOTE: This year, applicants were permitted to run for both SAA president-elect and member-at-large if they so desired. Once voting opens, you will be asked to vote for one (1) candidate for president-elect and your top eight (8) candidates for member-at-large. Candidates who are running for both president-elect and member-at-large are included in this post, in addition to the 2023-2024 Member-At-Large Candidates post.

You may vote for the same candidate for president-elect and a member-at-large position. The winning president-elect candidate will be removed from the member-at-large tally and the eight (8) candidates that receive the most votes will be awarded member-at-large positions. 

Make your voice heard by casting your vote for the next student leaders in the audiology community. Scroll down to learn more about the 2023-2024 national SAA President-Elect candidates. 

Lindee Alvarez

University: University of Texas at Dallas
Anticipated Graduation Year: 2027 (AUD/PHD)

If your classmates or colleagues were to list 3 words to describe you, what would they be? 

Driven, Optimistic, Overachiever  

How do you intend to engage, empower, and lead the next generation of audiology students? 

I intend to engage, empower and lead the next generation of audiology students by providing ample opportunities for students to connect and learn from each other. I want students to know that SAA is an amazing resource that is specifically designed for them. I will encourage all students to give their input and share their ideas. I am extremely passionate about the field of audiology and I plan to encourage students to pursue leadership roles both at the local and national levels. I will also encourage students to get involved in advocacy efforts so they can advance the future of the profession.  

Kaley Graves

University: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Anticipated Graduation Year: 2025 

If your classmates or colleagues were to list 3 words to describe you, what would they be? 

Organized, Efficient, Outgoing 

How do you intend to engage, empower, and lead the next generation of audiology students? 

I intend to lead by example. I feel that my passion for the profession of audiology is at the forefront of everything I do, whether in class, clinic, or via SAA activities. I always encourage my peers to ask questions or engage in conversation because everyone has a different idea or opinion. Currently, I am a second-year student in my four-year audiology program and have maintained open dialogues with the new first years as they settle in and start to find their rhythm. I made it a point to introduce myself during their orientation week when I volunteered to give them a tour of our campus before having an informal Q&A session where I tried to ensure that they felt comfortable to ask me anything they may want to know but did not feel comfortable asking professors. I am a strong believer in communication and facilitating dialogues between students, professors, and clinicians because we can always learn something new from each other that may motivate us that much more to continue developing and learning. 

Bailey Harmon

University: University of Colorado Boulder
Anticipated Graduation Year: 2025 

If your classmates or colleagues were to list 3 words to describe you, what would they be? 

Positive, Empathetic, Diligent  

How do you intend to engage, empower, and lead the next generation of audiology students? 

I believe empowering students happens by getting them excited about all the opportunities that the profession has to offer and by showing them that they are the future of the profession. Engaging students happens through encouraging them to push the envelope of research and what is capable in standard practice. The ambition that students have strengthens and further advances the profession and benefits other professionals. Sustaining this ambition develops pivotal research and changes in audiology. Additionally, providing extensive resources, sharing passions, experiences, and knowledge with the future generations gives the next generation the tools and information that they need to be great providers in the future. 

Jennifer Tyler

University: Idaho State University
Anticipated Graduation Year: 2025

If your classmates or colleagues were to list 3 words to describe you, what would they be? 

Dedicated, Experienced, Creative. 

How do you intend to engage, empower, and lead the next generation of audiology students? 

I will encourage participation from others and lead by example. I want to include everyone in the decision making of important ideas and events. I will demonstrate the importance of participation by participating as much as I can myself. If I am not willing to put in the effort, why should I expect others to? I want audiology students to be the best they can be. I want to encourage their interests. I want to be there for the next generation of audiology students and help them in any way possible. I hope by showing my interest in the students and not just national SAA as a whole, it will motivate them to be the best audiology students they can be. 

Want to learn more about the 2023-2024 national SAA Board of Directors candidates? Check out their individual bios for more information. Voting begins February 22, 2023, and ends March 8, 2023.