From UK Classrooms to Army Research Labs: CHS Alumna LTC Jennifer Noetzel Shows What’s Possible with a CSD Degree

‘A World of Possibilities’

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

When Jennifer Noetzel arrived at the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate, she knew two things for sure: She wanted to stay in Kentucky, and she wanted a career that mattered.

Nearly two decades later, Noetzel, a 2007 graduate of UK’s College of Health Sciences, is an active-duty Army audiologist and lieutenant colonel whose work spans clinical care, global military installations and cutting-edge aeromedical research.

Her journey, she says, began the moment she discovered the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program at UK.

“Staying in Kentucky was important, and UK was the school everyone aspired to,” said Noetzel, a Florence, Ky., native. “As an undergraduate trying to figure things out, I took an Intro to Health Sciences course, and the CSD component just ignited my curiosity. That was the ‘aha’ moment.”

Originally drawn to teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing, Noetzel realized through UK’s CSD curriculum that she wanted a more medically focused career—one that combined science, diagnostics and meaningful human interaction.

At the time, she was not considering audiology.

That changed when she encountered the CSD program’s audiology coursework — and a faculty mentor who would help shape her future.

“I got to experience my audiology classes taught by Dr. Anne Olson,” Noetzel said. “Honestly, audiology perfectly aligned with what I wanted: A medical field, diagnostic flexibility and a broad scope of practice.”

Working as Olson’s undergraduate assistant proved transformative. Noetzel witnessed firsthand the passion, mentorship and advocacy that define UK’s faculty.

“(Olson) was a champion for the AuD even before UK had a program,” Noetzel said. “That experience made me want to know more — and it’s fantastic that now undergraduates can stay at UK and seamlessly continue their educational journey.”

Today, UK’s expanding academic pathways, including a new Doctor of Audiology degree, reflect exactly the kind of opportunity Noetzel once discovered unexpectedly.

“This direct pathway will raise awareness and attract students,” she said. “Now, undecided undergrad CSD students have a clear graduate option right here within the college.”

After graduating from UK, Noetzel pursued her Doctor of Audiology degree and entered the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer. Her career has taken her across the country, from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., to duty stations in New York, Texas, Georgia and Alabama.

“Literally everywhere,” she said.

As an Army Hearing Program Manager, Noetzel ensured soldier readiness by overseeing hearing tests, fitness-for-duty evaluations and hearing protection programs. She worked on multidisciplinary traumatic brain injury teams, supported operational units in the field and helped implement advanced communication and protective systems.

“Military audiology is unique in its focus on hearing loss prevention as opposed to traditional clinical services,” Noetzel said. “Our goal is always prevention and maintaining good hearing acuity for our Service Members.”

Her work spans diverse military populations to address their unique auditory needs. From infantry and artillery units exposed to extreme noise levels she ensures proper hearing protection, while for aviators, she verifies they meet strict auditory standards for hearing acuity in complex communication environments.

“For aviators, communication is critical,” she said. “My job was evaluating auditory fitness to ensure soldiers could safely do the work required of them.”

After a decade in clinical and operational roles, Noetzel was selected for the Army’s Long Term Health Education & Training program, and she earned a PhD from the University of Cincinnati. Her research focused on noise exposure in military working dogs, an experience she calls “amazing.”

Now stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., Noetzel works full time at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, studying hearing standards, listening effort, spatial audio and noise reduction technologies designed to protect and enhance the performance of service members.

“I’ve seen audiology in the traditional clinical setting, occupational health, operational environments and now military research,” she said. “That variety is what makes this career so unique.”

For students considering a similar path, Noetzel emphasizes openness — to leadership, new experiences and unexpected opportunities.

“You are not just an audiologist; you are a commissioned officer,” she said. “That dual progression as both a clinician and a leader is incredibly rewarding.”

Looking back, she credits UK’s College of Health Sciences with providing the foundation for everything that followed.

“The CSD degree at UK laid the bedrock of my career success,” Noetzel said. “It set me up perfectly for my AuD, and then for my PhD.”

For prospective students, her message is simple: Your undergraduate degree can take you further than you ever imagined.

“If you choose UK and CSD,” she said, “you’re opening the door to a world of possibilities.”