Table of Contents
- Upcoming Events
- Alumni Spotlights
- Giving Back to the University of the Pacific Audiology
- Congratulations Class of 2025
- Student News and Events
- Department 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 CAA conference in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event will be at the “Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport” Hotel on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 6-8 pm. A separate RSVP e-mail will be sent out. Please join us!
Alumni Spotlights
Victoria Beene, Au.D. Class of 2020
I chose audiology because I wanted to help people communicate with confidence every day. The ability to educate my patients about their hearing health and empower them to make informed decisions is something I truly love about this field. My time at the University of the Pacific’s Audiology Doctorate program (2017–2020) played a huge role in shaping my career. The hands-on experience I gained through internships in a variety of settings (private practices, hospital clinics) gave me the foundation to excel in this field. The faculty and curriculum at UOP really helped me reach my goals, both clinically and personally. After graduation, I was fortunate to teach Practice Management and Counseling courses at UOP, which was an incredible way to give back to the program that supported me. Since graduating, I’ve worked in hospitals, research, telehealth, and private practice, but in November 2024, I decided to take the leap and open my own clinic—Santa Rosa Hearing in Santa Rosa, CA. Today, I’m excited to continue helping patients understand and improve their hearing and tinnitus while providing them with the tools they need to live their best lives.Â
Anna Walters, Au.D. Class of 2023
Anna Walters, AuD, a passionate audiologist at Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center, found her calling close to home. Inspired by her youngest brother, who was born profoundly deaf and received bilateral cochlear implants as a baby, Dr. Walters witnessed firsthand the transformative power of audiology. Accompanying him to countless appointments, she saw the critical impact a skilled audiologist could have, especially in underserved communities. This personal journey ignited her desire to enter the field and make a difference. The University of the Pacific played a pivotal role in shaping Dr. Walters’ career. Beyond equipping her with the clinical skills needed to provide exceptional patient care, UoP instilled in her the importance of time management and community engagement. Today, as a full-time clinical audiologist for a non-profit serving underrepresented populations in Western New York, she continues to embody UoP’s values, regularly volunteering her time both within her organization and with other local groups.
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). 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 crucial to ensuring the legacy of the Audiology Department at the University of the Pacific. Please consider making a gift by giving in one of these ways here:
- Audiology Restricted Scholarship Fund: This is a current-use fund awarded each year at the White Coat Ceremony in the fall.
- Bob and Martha Hanyak Audiology Student Travel Endowed Fund: This endowed fund helps support students with travel expenses as they attend either state or national audiology conferences.
- Stephenson / Parker Diversity in Audiology Endowed Scholarship: This endowed scholarship helps attract and retain diverse students.
Please get in touch with Lana Watts at lwatts@pacific.edu for more information.
Congratulations Class of 2025
Welcome, Class of 2025, to our Audiology Alumni Family!
- Emily Bernard, Au.D.
- Emerson Miller, Au.D.
- Mikaela Sargeant, Au.D.
- Leigh Grossmann, Au.D.
- Jasmine Morales, Au.D.
- Casey Smith, Au.D.
- Mackenzie Hichman, Au.D.
- Samantha Rodriguez, Au.D.
- Celia Tow, Au.D.
- Lauren Hudec, Au.D.
- Stephanie Lopez, Au.D.
- Claire Yamada, Au.D.
- Melody Leñero, Au.D.
- Brianne Mangold, Au.D.
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Student News and Events
OKU Sutro Excellence Day
Doctor of Audiology students presented their research and clinical work at OKU Sutro Excellence Day, held annually in collaboration between the Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry and the Audiology Department of the School of Health Sciences. This long-standing tradition allows students to publicly share their projects with colleagues, faculty, staff, alumni, and special guests. Although there is a competitive component, Excellence Day is primarily a collaborative celebration of our students’ research and clinical accomplishments.
Community Hearing Screenings
In collaboration with the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, our audiology students volunteered in the Senior Smiles and Wellness Health Fair. Nearly 150 older adults attended the event at the school’s downtown San Francisco campus, receiving free dental, diabetes, oral cancer, and hearing screenings, along with consultations on balance, flexibility, strength, and fall prevention. The students described the experience as eye-opening, rewarding, and impactful, highlighting its value for both community service and hands-on education in geriatric care.
Hearing Aid Workshops
Dr. Fadi Najem and Dr. Adam Svec invited Oticon, Widex, Resound, Starky, Signia, and Phonak to their Amplification classes for demonstrations of new hearing aid technology. We value our partnerships with hearing aid manufacturers and all they do for our students.
Hearing Screenings in Stockton
The Hearing and Balance Center provided free hearing screenings in collaboration with Lodi Rotary Club, serving almost 120 community members! It was a fantastic day filled with smiles and gratitude as we helped individuals take a crucial step towards better hearing health. The Audiology Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life of our community through improved hearing.
Employer Showcase
The 2025 Employer Showcase on the San Francisco campus brought our audiology students together with potential employers to explore career opportunities in a casual environment.
Externship Sendoff for Class of 2026
Congratulations to our Class of 2026 as they embark on their externship, the final step in their doctoral program. They are prepared and excited, and we wish them the best of luck!
| Name | Externship Site |
| Oluwatomiwa Adebamiro | Bay Area Audiology, TX |
| Nicole Allen | Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, CA |
| Soledad Almanza | Denver Hearing Specialists, CO |
| Jastine Baliling | Palo Alto VA, CA |
| Ji Yeon Chung | Boston VA, MA |
| Destiny Diaz | Kaiser Permanente, Fresno, CA |
| Ema Glowaski | American Institute of Balance, FL |
| Aurora Jasso | Sacramento VA, CA |
| Anneka Lindstrom | Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA |
| Sierra Melendez | California Hearing Center, CA |
| Alizha Mobo | Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Creek, CA |
| Tarra Palma Gil | Kaiser Permanente, Daly City, CA |
| Sakshi Patel | Stockton VA, CA |
| Mauriana Raye | San Francisco VA, CA |
| Ebony Rivera | Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, CA |
| Samuel Rogerson | Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services, CA |
| Bethany Sieffert | University of California, SF, CA |
| Miani Sumida | University of California, LA, CA |
| Cheng Zeng | University of Washington, WA |
Department News
Welcome, Dr. Natalie Grigsby, to Pacific!
Natalie Grigsby, Au.D., CCC-A, joins the University of the Pacific as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Audiology starting July 2025.
Dr. Grigsby is a clinical audiologist who provides comprehensive audiological care, including diagnostics and rehabilitation for adult patients. She has a particular interest in the anatomy of the vestibular system and enjoys completing balance assessments for patients. Her goal is for her patients to be educated on the complicated inner ear vestibular system and hearing systems alike. She enjoys working closely with patients and supporters to find solutions to provide a better quality of life through improved hearing and vestibular therapy. Dr. Grigsby is an active member of the California Academy of Audiology, with previous involvement in planning their annual conference. She has a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and later earned her doctor of audiology degree at the University of the Pacific. Dr. Grigsby then completed a residency in audiology at UCSF.
Congratulations to Dr. Fadi Najem!
Congratulations to Dr. Najem on his tenure and promotion to Associate Professor in the Department of Audiology. This is a well-deserved recognition from the department, school, and university communities for his impressive achievements and body of work.
Connect with Alumni & Current Students
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