Dr. Wendy D. Hanks Named Director of the School of Audiology

Dr. Wendy D. Hanks has been named director of the Pacific University School of Audiology, effective July 1. She is an associate professor and has served as interim director since June 2016.

Hanks joined Pacific University in 2013 as an associate professor in the new School of Audiology, where she has been instrumental in building the doctor of audiology program. The first cohort of doctor of audiology students graduated in 2015. Hanks led the school through a major initial accreditation site visit this spring. She has also spearheaded the effort for a major expansion of school’s facilities for faculty/staff offices, teaching and simulation laboratories, and faculty research space in the Tuality 7th Avenue Medical Building.

Hanks has served as interim director since the departure of inaugural director Dr. Victor Keetay. Hanks has served with distinction in her role as interim director and ascends to the role of director with the enthusiastic support of the School of Audiology faculty and staff, as well as the Deans and Directors Council of the College of Health Professions, said Ann Barr-Gillespie, vice provost and executive dean of the College of Health Professions.

“Under Dr. Wendy Hank’s leadership, the School of Audiology has continued to thrive and grow,” Barr-Gillespie said. “I feel very fortunate that Dr. Hanks has accepted the role as permanent director of the school, where she has already established herself as a respected member of Pacific’s senior administrative team.”

Hanks earned a master of communicative disorders in audiology from Brigham Young University in 1981 and completed her clinical fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She received her PhD in audiology from Wichita State University in 1985.Hanks has also been on the faculty of Gallaudet University, Towson University, Brigham Young University and the University of Nevada-Reno, as well as working in early intervention, hospital, private practice, and VA settings. Her research interests include the clinical evaluation of screening and diagnostic tools such as immittance and wideband acoustic immittance, especially for the newborn population, as well as interprofessional practice and education. She also is actively involved professionally, chairing and serving on many national committees, and is co-editor for the Health and Interprofessional Practice journal.

“I would like to thank our outstanding faculty, staff, and students for their support this past year,” Hanks said. “I am excited to promote our shared vision of continually creating and advancing new standards in audiology education that answer a global need for compassionate and exceptional audiologic care.”