Published on September 1, 2026

When Avery Gill decided to major in Speech and Hearing Science, her choice was every bit as personal as it was professional. As a student, Avery dives deeper every day into the complex field of audiology – a healthcare branch devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders – with the goal to one day help others hear the world better. But when it comes to assisting those with hearing impairments, Avery’s most powerful qualification isn’t found in any textbook or verified by any degree. It comes from 20 years of lived experience.

Born partially deaf in her left ear, Avery grew up experiencing the world through a different lens than her family and friends. For as long as she can remember, specialized checkups and speech therapy sessions were a routine part of her life. But even with these unique experiences, she notes she never felt different because of them. To Avery, her hearing is just one of the many things that make her who she is, something that sets her apart no differently than her love for tennis or her passion for reading.

“Being this way since birth, I’ve never known any different,” Avery explained. “Growing up, my sister had to take medicine and I had to put in a hearing aid. It was as simple as that.”

After graduating from Mattoon High School, Avery enrolled at Lake Land College to continue her education and explore career options. It was during her first year at the College, in a gen-ed speech class, that her vision began to take shape. Assigned with a presentation on her future career goals, Avery began researching careers in speech pathology and audiology, and through this, she realized that her experience as a patient in these fields could become a valuable resource for others like her.

“I realized I can help people access care, just like how people helped me, and I thought it seemed like something I’d be very happy doing,” Avery said. “I also realized that you don’t have to have complete hearing to work in audiology.”

Beyond discovering a career path, Avery also discovered a welcoming environment as a student at Lake Land College. She found countless opportunities to be involved across campus, and she ultimately served as a student ambassador to help prospective students learn about the College. Additionally, she landed an on-campus job at the Lake Land College Foundation & Alumni Office, and she has enjoyed working as an intern with the Foundation team for the last two years.

“Lake Land is a great option that introduces you to college,” Avery explained. “Coming here, I’ve felt like I can do whatever I want to do. I’ve met great teachers and great friends, and you really get to make it your own experience.”

After one year at Lake Land, Avery decided to take the next step in her audiology studies by enrolling in the University of Illinois’ Speech and Hearing program. Her time as a Lake Land student, however, was far from over, as she decided to continue taking summer classes at Lake Land. With this method, Avery was able to finish her associate degree even while enrolled at the University of Illinois, and she officially graduated from Lake Land College following the Summer 2026 term.

 

Now a Lake Land College alumna, Avery looks ahead to continuing her education and developing her knowledge in speech, language and hearing at the University of Illinois. Once she’s completed her bachelor’s degree, she plans to continue to earn a master’s degree or head straight into a doctoral program to pursue a career as an audiologist. Either way, she hopes to one day work in the central Illinois region and give back to the community she’s loved her entire life.

But above all, what Avery looks forward to most is the day she’ll welcome patients to her own office. She looks forward to treating them with a smile on her face and compassion in her voice, the kind that comes only through a lifetime of experience, as she walks them through a journey she knows so well.

“I’ve been in their shoes my whole life,” Avery said. “I know what it’s like to deal with this, and I know the challenge it can be for parents to have normal hearing and try to figure out how to help their kid. I know I can help people navigate life and make sure they receive the care they need.”

Avery’s story featured in the Summer 2026 edition of One Laker Nation, the official publication of Lake Land College Alumni. Read more stories and check out the full issue at https://issuu.com/lakelandcollege/docs/one_laker_nation.