About Us

Mission Statement

The Colorado Academy of Audiology is organized for the purpose of promoting the public good by fostering the growth, development, recognition, and status of the profession of Audiology and its members.

The Colorado Academy of Audiology (CAA) is a professional non-profit 501(c)(6) organization of audiologists. Our members work in schools, medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, early intervention programs, private practice, and universities, serving people of all ages who have hearing and communication disorders. Our membership is always open to interested professionals in related fields and students in audiology.

President’s Message

2024

To my past, present, and future audiology colleagues,

As we step into 2024, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the Colorado Academy of Audiology (CAA). It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your president this year, and I can’t wait for what lies ahead for us.

In January, the 2024 CAA Board of Directors met to reflect on our organization’s mission and clarify our goals for the upcoming year. We spent a lot of time considering our collective WHY and how we might magnify our mission over the upcoming year. Unanimously, three key themes emerged from these discussions, and these three themes will serve as pillars defining our goals for the upcoming year: 1) Enhancing Membership, 2) Fostering Engagement, and 3) Amplifying Advocacy. Below, I’d like to outline these three pillars and our action plan for the upcoming year.

1. Enhancing Membership:
We recognize that nothing is achievable in our organization without a strong membership base. We also recognize that in order to develop a strong membership base, we need to clearly define our WHY to current and future members, as well as potential members who feel undecided or impartial about joining or getting involved in our organization.

For all of these reasons, the CAA Board unanimously voted for a refresh on CAA membership fees for 2024. For the upcoming year, Student and Lifetime Membership is free. Students, you are the future of our profession. We know how much time and money you are investing into your education, and we don’t want cost to be a barrier to joining our organization and getting involved! Lifetime Members, we appreciate your service to the community and the path you have paved for us. We want you to stay connected and engaged in our organization on your terms. New Professionals, Fellows, and Affiliates, membership for 2024 is $24. Your membership fee will directly support state, inter-state, and national advocacy initiatives because we understand how much this matters to you.

**To join or renew your membership, or to make a donation to our organization, please visit https://coaudiology.org/get-involved/join/.**

*2. Fostering Engagement:*
A strong membership base matters, but so does active participation. Engagement is the heartbeat that sustains and enriches our organization. In 2024, we want new and current members to feel engaged and informed. In the coming months, we will be announcing new ways for CAA members to get involved by joining focused committees. This opportunity will be open to all members, including Students, New Professionals, Fellows, Affiliates, and Lifetime members. Second, we will also be implementing new strategies to help our members stay informed by magnifying our social media presence. We want to continue supporting a thriving audiology community where knowledge is shared and where professional growth and camaraderie are fostered.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

3. Amplifying Advocacy
Last but not least, we understand that advocacy lies at the core of our mission because it plays a pivotal role in shaping legislation, licensing, and health policy. In 2024, we hope to work more closely with our lobbyists and other state, inter-state, and national organizations to champion policies and initiatives that prioritize patient safety and access to audiological services, safeguard our broad scope of practice, ensure fair and reasonable state licensing requirements, and contribute to the economic vibrancy and sustainability of our profession. As mentioned above, the $24 membership fee for New Professionals, Fellows, and Affiliates will directly support state, inter-state, and national advocacy initiatives and monetary donations outside of membership fees will also go directly to different initiatives. In the coming months, we look forward to engaging with you and gathering your perspectives on specific issues and initiatives where our lobbying and advocacy efforts can be most useful.

I hope this message has provided clarity and a call to action. Your voice matters. We encourage you to get involved, share your ideas, and play an active role in shaping the future of our profession. We appreciate you, and we can’t do it without you!

Board of Directors

The CAA Board of Directors is composed of nine Officers who are elected as defined within the Bylaws.
Image

Hanah Glick, Au.D., PhD, CCC-A

President

Image

Emily Lundberg, Au.D. CCC-A

President-Elect

Image

Bryan McDonald Au.D.

Past President

Image

Emily Hensarling, Au.D.

Treasurer

Image

Brandon Roppel, Au.D. CCC-A

VP of Education

Image

Kelly Hanscom, Au.D.

VP of Professional Issues

Image

Elizabeth McNichols, Au.D.

VP of Membership

Image

Rebecca Welles, Au.D.

VP of Communications

Image

Melissa Williams, Au.D.

Secretary

Image

Ana Sánchez

Student Representative

Image

Rose Raja

Student Representative

Past & Present CAA Board of Directors Members – Since 1992

Accolades

Colorado Academy of Audiology Awards

The Colorado Academy of Audiology awards two prestigious honors to individuals for their outstanding contributions to CAA and the field of Audiology.

Peak Performance Award

The Peak Performance Award is given to individuals to acknowledge an exemplary achievement or effort that contributes to the advancement of the field of audiology and/or a direct humanitarian contribution to society in the realm of hearing.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals dedicating their careers in the field of audiology resulting in a positive impact on their professional colleagues.

R. Steven Ackley Educators Award

Dr. R. Steven Ackley was an Audiology colleague, teacher, advisor, mentor, and friend. Dr. Ackley taught in virtually all the Colorado audiology programs, including 10 years at Colorado State University. He also spent a number of years as professor and Chair at the University of Northern Colorado. In 2000, Dr. Ackley joined the Department of Hearing Speech And Language at Gallaudet University served as faculty member, Audiology Program Director, and Department Chair. His teaching and mentoring was student-centered, and was focused on the importance of life-long learning, liberally seasoned with high expectations, humor, and humanitarian ideals. With a natural ability to connect with those around him, he often acted as a motivator for other’s research and professional development. The R. Steven Ackley Educators Award is given in the memory of Dr. Ackley to an outstanding professor in the field of Audiology that exemplifies practicum and classroom excellence and a mentoring style that promotes learning in a comfortable, developmental way.