Osborne College of Audiology Dean: Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan, 2018 to Present 

Never in her wildest dreams did Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, EdD, imagine she would one day become the dean of the Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) at Salus University, now Salus at Drexel University. Yet, as the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, here she stands — at the helm — ensuring Osborne Audiology remains firmly grounded in its mission: to be a national and international leader and innovator in audiology education. 

The journey has been anything but easy. The road to leadership was shaped by perseverance, passion, and purpose. Dr. Aravamudhan joined the Doctor of Audiology program as a faculty member in 2005, when the program was still in its formative years. Alongside a team of committed colleagues, she stepped up to help carry the program forward following the untimely passing of the College’s founding dean, Dr. George Osborne, PhD, in 2007.  

Her story with the institution began even earlier. In 2004, as she was completing her PhD at Kent State University and relocating to New Jersey, Dr. Aravamudhan interviewed for a faculty position at what was then known as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) School of Audiology.   

“I still remember so vividly waiting in the cafeteria downstairs while Dr. Osborne came down to meet me for the interview,” she said. “He was so proud of the labs they were building and the curriculum they had designed. He shared the history of the audiology program and his ambitious plans for its future.”   

Dr. Osborne offered her a faculty role, but at the same time, Dr. Aravamudhan also received an offer for a research associateship at Boystown National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Torn between two promising paths, she was struck by Dr. Osborne’s generosity and vision — he encouraged her to pursue the research opportunity first. 

“He told me, ‘We can have an adjunct faculty teach your content next year. We’ll hold your position. We want to have you here,’” she remembers.  

And, that’s exactly how it unfolded. After completing her research associateship, Dr. Aravamudhan returned in 2005 to accept the faculty position — and from there, the journey was “onward and upward.”  

“It was such a privilege to work with Dr. Osborne and learn from him — not just about curriculum and vision, but about the very identity of the profession,” she said. “Why are we a school of audiology and not combined with speech-language pathology? What does the AuD represent? Why move from a master’s to a doctoral-level entry degree? These were foundational questions then — and his answers laid the groundwork for what OCA has become today.”  

Over the years, Dr. Aravamudhan served in numerous leadership roles, including interim program director, coordinator of didactic education, and assistant dean, contributing to the growth and evolution of the programs. From 2015 to 2018, she served as interim dean, before officially becoming stepping in as dean in 2018. 

“The opportunities that Salus has provided have been extraordinary, not just for me, but for every student, faculty member, and staff member,” she said. “This is a place where people grow, collaborate, and thrive, where diverse paths converge, and everyone has a space to learn and lead.”  

OCA’s Distance Education programs, launched by Dr. Osborne, have continued to expand under the leadership of dedicated visionaries after him. Today, these programs have earned OCA international recognition and given the College a truly global footprint.  

“Now we’re known in countries around the world for our Distance Education offerings,” Dr. Aravamudhan said. “While a master’s degree is no longer the entry-to-practice credential in the U.S., we’re proud to offer this option for students in countries where a bachelor's degree remains the standard for clinical practice. It allows professionals abroad to advance their knowledge while continuing to serve in their communities.”  

Reflecting on her leadership journey, Dr. Aravamudhan describes her role not only as a responsibility, but as a privilege.  

“To serve in this role and help guide OCA through its growth and transformation has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” she said. “At OCA, we continue to innovate in education and practice — meeting students where they are and inspiring them to reach new heights. That transformational journey is nothing short of extraordinary,” she said.  

She offered her sincere gratitude to every faculty, staff, student, alumni, and supporters who have stood with the College, believed in the vision, and helped carry it forward. “To everyone who has believed in this College and supported us — thank you,” she said. “With excitement and humility, we look ahead, ready to grow, evolve, and remain steadfast in the mission that unites us.”