Susan Gordon-Hickey, Au.D, Ph.D., FASAHP

Dean
Covey College of Allied Health Professions
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL 36688

Background and aspirations for ASAHP

Dr. Susan Gordon-Hickey is the Dean of the Covey College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama, a role she has held since 2020. She brings a strong commitment to academic innovation, interprofessional collaboration, and inclusive excellence in the health professions.

Susan Gordon-Hickey earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida. She holds both a Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) and a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Alabama. Her research centers on how individuals accept and cope with background noise during communication, contributing valuable insight to the field of audiology.

She has a strong record of scholarly work, classroom teaching, and national service. She is passionate about training future clinicians and frequently integrates Team-Based Learning and interprofessional education into her teaching. Her leadership includes programmatic academic administration, having previously served as the Graduate Coordinator for the Au.D. program and as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Susan Gordon-Hickey is actively engaged with the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP), having served two terms as ASAHP’s Board of Directors Secretary. In addition, she has contributed extensively through roles on several committees, including the Interprofessional Education Task Force, the Opportunity & Engagement Committee, and the Research, Discovery, and Innovation Committee. She currently serves as the Board Champion for the Interprofessional Education Committee.

She is also active in accreditation leadership, having served as Chair and now Immediate Past Chair of the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Susan Gordon-Hickey is dedicated to growing an inclusive pipeline of students and faculty, fostering shared governance, and building infrastructure to support innovative, interprofessional academic programs. Her aspirations for ASAHP include advancing its national recognition as a leader in interprofessional education, supporting the development of institutional leadership, and helping lead the Journal of Allied Health toward increased recognition as a strong, impactful resource—particularly for interprofessional education scholarship.

ASAHP Activities

Activity I: Secretary & Board of Directors, elected 2 terms (2021-2025)

Activity II: Opportunity & Engagement Committee, member (2022-present)

Activity III: Interprofessional Education Committee, Champion (2025)

Activity IV: Chair, Subcommittee Interprofessional Education Awards (2019-2021)

Activity V: Education Committee, Champion (2021-2024)

Relevant Experience

Experience I: Chair, 2024, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Experience II: Site visitor and site visit chair, 2014-2020, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Experience III: Closed school records committee, 2024-2025, Higher Learning Commission

Experience IV: Research Podium Committee, Invited Member, various years, American Academy of Audiology

Experience V: Leadership Development Program Reviewer, 2018-2019, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association