President’s Message: From Student to Fellow, a Chat with SAA President Alexis Leiderman

Alexis Leiderman is president of the national Student Academy of Audiology (SAA). If you’re a current AuD or AuD/PhD graduate student and are interested in volunteering, you can find more information on our website here.

This is an exciting time for students and members of the national Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) as they transition from the student phase into the professional phase. Current Academy President Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD, wanted to honor this transition by sitting down for a chat with current SAA President Alexis (Lexi) Leiderman.

Lexi has been a dedicated member of the SAA and is currently serving her third-year on the SAA board of directors. We are incredibly fortunate to have Lexi and all our student volunteers who will soon become our next wave of professional leaders.

For any students who are feeling graduation looming just ahead, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Not only do you have your fellow students to lean on, but the Academy also has resources for new audiologists, and a Fellow Up! Program, which allows you to easily transition from student to professional (fellow) membership, at a reduced cost.

The SAA is a phenomenal machine that brings together students from across the country and unites them as incoming audiologists. When asked about what she feels is the most impactful thing about national SAA Lexi commends her fellow student volunteers and adds that what makes it so unique is that…

We have dedicated volunteers working on tremendous initiatives throughout our various committees. This really allows for collaboration not just within the student groups but provides opportunities to actually involve professionals as well. Being a volunteer helps us develop leadership skills as well as the ability to interact with and learn from professionals outside our immediate networks.

This exposure to current professionals allows connections to be made early and gives a student voice to the national organization. At the Academy, we are very proud to have all of our volunteers who dedicated so much of their time and expertise to making our organization the home for audiology.

If you’re a professional interested in volunteering, we are now accepting applications! Please visit our website to find the position that most interests you, it only takes a few minutes to apply.