Celebrating 15 Years of National SAA!
Over the past decade and a half, the national Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) has accomplished so much as an organization, building a strong foundation for the future of the audiology profession. The success and growth of national SAA is contributed largely in part to the vision and leadership of its past presidents. To honor and reflect on their hard work, the national SAA communications committee conducted an interview series with several national SAA past presidents.
Our next interview is with Riley DeBacker who earned his AuD and PhD at Ohio State University. Dr. DeBacker served as national SAA president between 2019-2020.
Why did you originally join the national SAA?
I first joined SAA as an undergrad because I was really excited about audiology, but didn’t see a lot of opportunities to get involved with the profession as an undergraduate at my school. I remember all the good moments and interactions a lot more than the one-off things that kept me up at night.
What is your favorite memory from your term as national SAA president?
As president from 2019-2020, there were a few unexpected shake-ups as a part of my term. One of my favorite memories, however, is working with the board to create the SAA Send Off. Since COVID meant that many students would not be able to walk or be recognized at their graduation, we held an online ceremony recognizing all AuD graduates that spring. We asked folks to share a favorite memory from their AuD and it was incredible to read hundreds of reflections from people excited to get their start during a time of incredible uncertainty.
How long did you serve on the national SAA Board of Directors or as a volunteer for national SAA?
I began volunteering with national SAA in 2014 (as an undergraduate on the Education Committee). I started my term on the board as secretary in 2017 and was elected president-elect for a term from 2018-2021. So altogether I was on the board for four years and a volunteer with SAA for seven years.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned from being a member of national SAA?
The little high-stress moments are rarely as big a deal as we think they are. I remember so many moments on the board where I felt like I’d made a huge, maybe career-altering mistake. Instead, I learned after graduating that people tend
Where are you working now?
I’m a Research Investigator at the VA National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR). I run a lab currently focused on investigating the auditory effects of medications used to manage and prevent HIV. One of our major goals is to use machine learning and other statistical tools to create and individualized prediction of someone’s hearing after a drug exposure. This would allow us to identify people at greatest risk, counsel patients on what they specifically can expect, and also identify the impact of dose modifications or drug changes.
In what ways did being involved in national SAA influence your career?
SAA built my entire professional network. The number of incredible professionals that I came into contact with during my time on SAA became the group of people I looked to when it was time for my first job. I still reach out to those people when I have questions outside my area of expertise or need advice from a more experienced audiologist. It also means that now no matter what conference I attend, I know there will be a group of old friends there to catch up with and learn from!
Are you currently involved with the American Academy of Audiology?
Yes. I currently serve on the Guidelines and Strategic Documents Committee, the Honors and Awards Review Task Force, and as an advisor to the Professional Development Council. I’ve also been a member of the AAA Annual Conference Program Committee, Nominations Committee, Executive Director Search Committee, and a few other task forces or short-term commitments.
I got involved in a couple ways! When I first graduated, I filled out the volunteer application. I didn’t realize at the time that you’ll almost always get matched with your top choice there! For other things, I was asked to participate because by connections I made during my time on the board. If you know someone serving on a committee you’re interested in, I’d definitely recommend reaching out to ask them about it!
What’s one piece of advice you would like to share with current SAA members?
Talk to everyone! Audiology is such a small profession and so many professionals recognize that and want to grow it by encouraging students. If you’re at a meeting and there is someone you want to talk to, ask a professor or mentor to point them out to you or go to a talk of theirs and introduce yourself afterward. I got my job because of a suggestion someone made to me during a happy hour at a conference. For folks who feel less comfortable doing networking like that in person, consider ways you could strengthen connections via email or other avenues that feel more comfortable. And if you want to brainstorm any of that, reach out and let’s chat about it!
This interview was completed by Eliana Dachman, a third-year audiology student at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York, NY. Eliana is a member of the SAA Communication Committee.
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