I'm a 4th-year audiology extern whose journey with hearing loss has shaped both my life and my career.
I was born and raised in Kentucky, and have worn hearing aids since I was 4 years old. I grew up mainstreamed with little to no exposure to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community, which made understanding my identity and finding my place challenging. My cochlear implant journey began in 2019, a milestone that changed how I experince the world and deepend my desire to connect with others navigating hearing loss.
I graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Pikeville and was originally on a pre-med path. In 2019, during my cochlear implant journey, I met a 4th-year audiology extern who also wore hearing aids and received a cochlear implant as an adult, whose undersatanding and connection showed me the power of truly being seen and understood. That encounter stayed with me, and in the spring of 2021, during my final year of undergraduate studies, I made the leap to pivot to audiology. With no clinical experience, I applied to programs at the last minute and was accepted into the Doctor of Audiology Program at the University of Texas at Dallas. This confirmed that I had found my calling and making the leap was the right choice.
In August 2022, I moved to Dallas to begin my doctoral program, and in May 2025 I relocated to Las Vegas to complete my year long externship at the VA Healthcare System of Nevada. Aside from my externship at the VA Hospital and my positions with NVH&V, I also serve as a Volunteer Mentor for Cochlear Americas.
I'm passionate about empowering those with hearing loss, bridging families with vital resources, fostering a positive community and being the mentor I once wished for, including for my younger sister, who is also hard of hearing with a cochlear implant. My long term goal is to open my own audiology practice and continue serving the community.
I am so thrilled and honored to be on the team at Nevada Hands & Voices as both a DHH Guide and a Community Outreach Manager.