Ackley Scholarship 2025 Recipient

2025 Recipient Tiana Dixon

My name is Tiana Dixon, and I’m a third-year Doctor of Audiology student at Gallaudet University, with an expected graduation date of May 2026. I’m originally from Wisconsin, but I’ve moved to several different states throughout the U.S. for school, internships, and work opportunities. I earned my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Utah State University in 2020, with a concentration in working with deaf and hard of hearing children. Prior to that, in 2018, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders with a minor in Child Development at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

My path to audiology has been more non-traditional than most. I learned American Sign Language (ASL) growing up and, in middle school, I decided that I wanted to become a speech-language pathologist working with the signing Deaf community. Throughout my education, I always enjoyed my audiology rotations and often joked that I’d love to do both audiology and speech, however it wasn’t until I was working as a speech-language pathologist at Iowa School for the Deaf that I noticed gaps in my students’ audiological care. I realized I wanted to be the professional who met families at the start of their child’s hearing loss journey to offer support, culturally responsive counseling, and accessible services. That decision led me to pursue my doctorate in audiology.

I envision a future career that blends diagnostic audiology, cochlear implants, and pediatric aural rehabilitation to ensure comprehensive care for children and meaningful guidance for their families I’m passionate about providing care to d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in their preferred communication modality, and I’m especially grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at Gallaudet—including learning Protactile, a language used by the DeafBlind community—which have deepened my understanding and strengthened my commitment to this population.

I’m beginning my externship at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where I will provide audiological services to patients across the lifespan. I am looking forward to gaining experience in providing hearing aids, programming cochlear implants, conducting vestibular testing, and counseling patients and their families. I’m beyond excited for this next chapter and all that’s ahead!

I am deeply honored to be chosen for the Steve Ackley Memorial Scholarship and incredibly grateful to those who continue to keep his memory alive through this award. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to meet him, it’s clear that his dedication to his
work and to others left a lasting mark on the community. Being recognized in connection with his legacy is both humbling and motivating, and I am committed to carrying forward the spirit of excellence and advocacy that defined his life.