Health and Human Services News

Celebrating the future of audiology

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On April 27, 2024, Missouri State University celebrated the White Coat Ceremony for the Doctorate of Audiology class of 2025. This momentous occasion marked the transition of 11 dedicated students as they prepare to embark on their externship year, the final step toward earning their doctorate degree. 

A day of celebration 

Surrounded by family, friends, peers and faculty, the ceremony was a joyous occasion.  

“This is a wonderful celebration and acknowledgement of the students’ hard work and dedication,” said Dr. Sarah Jones, clinical associate professor. “The white coat is indicative of their preparedness and a foundation in audiology to advance to this final stage.” 

Looking ahead 

While the university community will miss seeing these students on campus, there is great excitement for their future endeavors.  

“It’s likely the next time we will see them together as a group will be when they walk at graduation next spring and receive their hooding,” Jones said. 

Support and encouragement 

The White Coat Ceremony not only celebrates the achievements of the students, but also reflects the support and encouragement from those who have been integral to their journey.  

“One thing that makes the ceremony special is the students get to share this event with their family and friends whether in-person or virtually,” said Dr. Edith Bobbit-Boyce, faculty advisor for the MSU Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) organization. 

Missouri State looks forward to the continued success of these future audiologists as they step into their professional roles and make a positive impact in the field of audiology. 

Explore degrees in communication sciences and disorders   

Audiology professor elected for American Academy of Audiology board

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Congratulations to Dr. Wafaa Kaf, professor of audiology in the department of communication sciences and disorders at Missouri State University.

Kaf was recently elected to serve as a member-at-large on the 2023-24 Academy Board of Directors for the prestigious American Academy of Audiology (AAA) for a three-year term. Previously, she was appointed to serve as the program chair for the 2022 AAA Conference.

Dr. Wafaa Kaf headshot

Her goal is to advance the audiology profession nationally and internationally through interprofessional collaboration, education, academic service, mentorship and scholarship.

Kaf went through an extensive five-step selection process:

  1. Members of the AAA organization nominated her to submit an application and serve on their board of directors.
  2. After accepting the nomination, she completed a comprehensive application for her vision, objectives and qualities as a leader.
  3. The nomination committee reviewed all submitted applications and made a selection of the final seven nominees to be written on the ballot for election.
  4. Since Kaf was selected to be on the ballot, she also provided a biography and a two-minute recorded speech so voters could get to know her better before the final election.
  5. She was elected alongside two more finalists to serve on the board.

Kaf looks forward to creating real change in the audiology community.

“I’m a hard worker who takes initiative and is eager to take on new challenges,” Kaf said. “I also have a strong desire to serve others, which has been evidenced by my past work in the community.

“Additionally, my cultural background and experience in diversity, equity and inclusion will allow me to help further promote this effort within the audiology community.”

Learn more about the Doctor of Audiology program

Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic promotes collaboration between programs

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The Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic is a vital resource for the Missouri State campus and the surrounding community. Students and faculty work with patients in three programs: Speech-language pathology, early intervention of the deaf and hard of hearing and audiology. 

Dr. Lauren Jones, Tara Oetting and Dr. Sarah Jones oversee the clinic’s three programs. 

“The collaboration here is amazing,” Oetting said. “I have speech pathologists down the hallway to get information from and to help me learn different things, and audiologists are down the other hallway. The chance to learn from my colleagues, or even students in the other areas, is very rewarding.”  

Jones, Oetting and Jones discuss the collaborative and crucial work done in the clinic in May’s “Health Queries” episode.  

Listen to the episode