University of the Pacific, Department of Audiology Alumni Newsletter

Table of Contents

• Upcoming Events
• Alumni Spotlights
• Giving Back to the University of the Pacific Audiology
• Welcome Class of 2027!
• Student News and Events
• Department News
• Faculty News
• Connect with Alumni & Current Students
• Past Newsletters

Upcoming Events

Join current students, faculty, and alumni for the University of the Pacific, Alumni Reunion during the 2025 AAA conference in New Orleans. The event will be at New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 6-8 pm. Make your travel arrangements now and RSVP here! 

Alumni Spotlights

Jacob Iveland, Au.D. Class of 2019

My journey into audiology began with my own personal hearing loss and my childhood neighbor, who was my audiologist and a huge role model. In third grade, during my tri-annual psych evaluation (which all IDP students received), I expressed my desire to become an audiologist, a dream that has stayed with me since childhood. Growing up with exposure to cochlear implant (CI) recipients solidified my focus on Cochlear Implants. A memorable moment was when my audiologist attended my University of the Pacific (UOP) graduation and presented me with a drawing of the inner ear he created in grad school nearly 45 years ago. That drawing now serves as my backdrop for virtual calls with patients and implant providers. My time at UOP was transformative, providing exposure to diverse cultures in San Francisco, which has been invaluable in my current role. The accelerated nature of UOP’s program equipped me to manage a busy schedule in my current role and to stay at the forefront of research, helping me present cochlear implant and bone conduction information to surgeons and audiologists.

Currently, I am the Territory Manager for Cochlear Americas for the Greater Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange County area. I support ENT surgeons in the operating room with Cochlear solutions to ensure patients are getting the best outcomes with an implant solution. In addition, I support audiologists with a variety of complex cases such as patients who are being implanted with post acoustic neuroma removals, aplastic nerves, ossified cochleas, common cavities, and more. I also support the establishment of new CI programs to help patients gain more access to hearing health care. In the past year, I have been awarded seats on global committees with Cochlear to share how the USA can impact other Cochlear Implant markets and learn about global innovations. Working for Cochlear has been the most rewarding part of my career so far because in this role I have been able to help thousands of patients find their way to better hearing with implants.

Michelle Deblauw, Au.D. Class of 2020

Initially, I viewed my undergraduate audiology classes as a stepping stone to becoming a speech-language pathologist. I had never heard of audiology before, but after taking a hearing sciences class, I became fascinated with the anatomy and physiology of the ear. Shadowing audiologists deepened my interest, and after speaking with my advisor, I switched my focus. As a Bay Area native, University of the Pacific (UoP) was the perfect fit. At UoP, I received guidance from incredible faculty and formed lifelong friendships. It also allowed me to start my career in the community I wanted to serve most- my own community. Today, I am a senior audiologist at University of California, San Francisco, leading the audiology division of our Balance and Falls Center. Additionally, I teach vestibular curriculum to first and second-year students as an adjunct professor at UoP.

Giving Back to the University of the Pacific Audiology

Adjunct Teaching, Preceptors, and Guest Lecturing

Share your experience with the next generation of audiologists. The Audiology Department needs adjunct teachers for 10 classes per year and preceptors for 1-3 days weekly ($65/hour) on the San Francisco and Stockton campuses. Not ready to commit to a full class, but want to try it out by giving a guest lecture? We have plenty of opportunities! For more information or how to apply to the pool, contact pacificaud@pacific.edu.

Giving Back

Alumni giving is critical to ensure the legacy of the Audiology Department at University of the Pacific. Pacific Gives will happen from noon to noon, April 8th to April 9th, with the “early giving” period beginning March 11th.  We’d love your support! Please donate here between March 11th and noon on April 9th to show your support for Audiology at Pacific. For more information, please contact Lana Watts, lwatts@pacific.edu.

Welcome Class of 2027!

We’re excited to introduce our first-year cohort of dedicated students. These students have demonstrated a passion for learning and a commitment to excellence. In their first two semesters, they’ve participated in multiple community events, excelled in their coursework, and thrived supervised patient care, showcasing their ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the preceptors and faculty who have guided and supported these students throughout their transition into graduate school. Their dedication and mentorship have been instrumental in their success!

Student News and Events

Community Hearing Screenings

We completed a successful Hearing Screening event at Project Homeless Connect 83rd Community Day of Service! Thanks to the incredible support and participation of our community members, we were able to provide vital hearing health services to those in need.

New Department Assistantships

This year, we welcomed two dedicated Academic Success Tutors, second-year students, Bethany Sieffert and Miani Sumida, who help guide our first-year students through their coursework and clinical practice. Their support is invaluable as our new students navigate these important early stages of their graduate career. Additionally, we’re grateful to have a second-year Student Assistant in the San Francisco clinic. Ema Glowaski has been instrumental in working with the clinical staff and assisting with front desk operations. These positions not only enhance our department but also provide our students with valuable experiences.

Student Scholarship Recipients

Two outstanding students have been honored with nationally competitive awards. Congratulations to Carney and Celia for their achievements!

Department News

New Clinical Staff

Welcome Rasheema Vaughn and Vanessa Dunn to the University of the Pacific Hearing and Balance Center in San Francisco! Vanessa serves as Clinical Support Specialist with duties related to billing and insurance claims. Rasheema is our Patient Services Manager, and her role focuses on enhancing patient experiences, streamlining services, and fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all who visit the center.

Faculty News

Faculty Research Updates

Hot off the press! Faculty members in Audiology and Dental recently published their research in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology. This collaborative project revealed that 13-25% of dental professionals had hearing thresholds surpassing the 95th percentile limits according to normative age and sex distributions. Third-year Audiology student and co-author, Samantha Rodriguez, has presented the findings at state and national conferences. Thank you to all the authors for their contribution and hard work! Click here to read their work!

Dr. Adam Svec has been awarded two research grants investigating a psychoacoustical concept called forward masking. These funds will support efforts to explore the underlying mechanisms of masking effects in listeners with and without hearing loss. Dr. Svec and his collaborators aim to identify physiological structures in the brainstem or midbrain involved in this perceptual phenomenon. First-year students and Research Assistants, Sebastian Ibarra and Estefany Castillo, are helping Dr. Svec with participant recruitment and data collection.

Connect with Alumni & Current Students

• Facebook
  • Audiology Program
  • University of the Pacific, Stockton Hearing and Balance Center
• Instagram
  • Audiology Program
  • University of the Pacific, Stockton Hearing and Balance Center

Help us keep you connected:

• Please let us know if you have moved or changed your email or mailing address at the button below. Keeping your information current will bring you University of the Pacific Audiology news, job alerts, and alumni updates.