The Student Academy and You

1. The Student Academy and You

2. Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (SAAAPA) Mission Statement To foster the personal and professional development of physician assistant students, encourage educational excellence and advocate for student and professional issues.

3. The Student Academy will help students to develop their career through leadership, involvement and mentoring.

4. Getting involved is easy! There are over 170 student positions available each year!!!

5. Why Get Involved? • Affect the course of students career as a PA • Build strong bonds with students and colleagues • Strengthen your PA Program • Teach your students important leadership skills • Have fun!

6. Where do you start? • Begin by organizing and registering your student society annually • Seek opportunities for students to be involved with SAAAPA and their local community You will find many opportunities will evolve from this beginning.

7. Student Societies Requirements: • At least five AAPA members • Student Society Officer Roster Form • Student Society officers must be members of AAPA • Submit copy of bylaws (samples available) • Election of AOR/HOD/SDCR • Provide all materials to SAAAPA by Nov 1

8. Student Society Organization • Student Society • President • Vice President • Secretary • Treasurer • Constituent Chapter Student Representative (CCSR) • Program Representatives to the Assembly of Representatives (AOR) and House of Delegates (HOD) • Student Diversity Committee Representative (SDCR)

9. Assembly of Representatives, (AOR) the Core of SAAAPA • AOR is the governing body of the Student Academy • We recommend the AOR representative be a first year student • AOR responsibilities: • Distribute SAAAPA information at his/her program • Attend the national conference • Be a contact for SAAAPA • Regularly monitor the SAAAPA website

10. House of Delegates, (HOD) Student Representative • A program’s representative to the SAAAPA delegation of the HOD. • Vote on and debate important issues facing the profession. • It is recommended that the AOR representative serve in the HOD the following year.

11. Constituent Chapter Student Representative, CCSR • Serve as your program’s representative to the professional chapter in your state • A vital link between your program and the state PA chapter

12. Student Academy LeadershipBoard of Directors • Elected each year by the AOR: • President • Vice President • Director of Internal Affairs • Chief Delegate • APAP Student Member at Large • Director of External Affairs • Director of Diversity • Director of Online Affairs These students are here to help. So, don’t hesitate to contact them!!

13. Current Leadership Advisors • AAPA Staff Advisor • Dedicated to the functioning of the Student Academy and Student Societies • The current AAPA Staff Advisor: • Cyndi Brown • (cynthia@aapa.org or (703) 836-2272 X3311

14. Current Leadership Advisors • AAPA Graduate Advisor • AAPA appoints a Graduate Advisor to the Student Academy Board of Directors • A practicing PA who has experience with students, student societies, and AAPA policy and procedure • Current AAPA Graduate Advisor • Cindy Lord (fredlord@aol.com)

15. Current Leadership Advisors • APAP Graduate Advisor • APAP appoints a Graduate Advisor to the Student Academy Board of Directors • Faculty member who has experience with student societies, the Student Academy, and the Association of PA Programs policies and procedures • Currently is David Fahringer (dafahr1@uky.edu)

16. More Student Academy Leadership… • Regional Communications Chair (RCC) • Student Diversity Committee Chair (SDCC) • Encourage your students to join their regional committee… • Complete details of positions at www.saaapa.aapa.org

17. Regional Communications Chair (RCC) • One in each of 5 regions • Appointed annually by the SAAAPA BOD • Disseminates SAAAPA information • Plans regional meetings and projects for students Truly, one of the keystone leadership positions in each region!

18. Student Diversity Committee Chair, SDCC • One in each of the five regions • Appointed annually by the SAAAPA BOD • Disseminate information to PA students regarding diversity issues • Assist in organizing the SDCC roundtable at regional and annual conferences

19. AAPA & SAAAPA Resources for Faculty and Students • Current Leadership • Student Society Handbook • Faculty Advisor Handbook • PACE Newsletter • AAPA News – Student Section • AAPA/SAAAPA Homepage • Student Society Mentoring Program

20. Student Society Handbook • Sent every fall to the program director, faculty advisor, and student society president • Includes information on registration, running a student society, fundraising ideas, available scholarships and much more!! • Highly recommend one copy be kept in the PA office or at the library circulation desk so all PA students have access to this important resource

21. Faculty Advisor Handbook • Sent each fall to the Faculty Advisor • Designed to familiarize faculty with the Student Academy • Aids faculty in assisting student societies in getting registered and getting involved • Sections include: • Organizing your student society • Resources for the faculty advisor • Important national projects for student societies • Leadership opportunities for students outside the student society

22. AAPA News-Student Section Mailed to all AAPA members Included is a student section with issues that are important to students PACE Newsletter Sent out in Spring and Fall Fall issue goes to all PA students Spring issue only to AAPA members Publications

23. SAAAPA Homepage • www.saaapa.aapa.org • One of the most extensive collections of information • Regular updates are posted to the website including scholarship information, community events, and leadership opportunities • We highly recommend monitoring the website monthly!

24. Student Society Mentoring Program • Serves to match a more experienced Student Society with a new or inexperienced Student Society • A mentoring relationship will bring support, guidance, and assistance to a new student society as well as provide an experienced and active student society with the opportunity to teach and serve the profession • Sign up on the website or with Cyndi Brown (Cynthia@aapa.org)

25. What can an active student society do? • Create acknowledgement of your PA program from national leaders • Generate future PA leaders • Establish a presence as a prominent and proactive PA program • Ensure the success and excellence of your graduates • Provide visibility and recognition of your PA program within the profession, within the community, and to potential PA school applicants

26. PA Program Visits • Each SAAAPA board member visits a school who is unfamiliar with SAAAPA • Presentation about the benefits of developing a student society • If interested, please let us know!

27. Ways to activate your student society • Host City Philanthropic Project • Scholarship/Awards • PA Day activities • Medical Challenge Bowl • Community and Service Activities • Regional and National Meetings

28. Host City Philanthropic ProjectSAAAPA Sponsored/Student Society Contribution • Supports a charitable organization in the host city at the annual conference • Helps the community • Increases awareness of PAs Through dedicated student societies, SAAAPA makes a significant donation each year.

29. Awards Available to Students • SAAAPA Outstanding Student Society Award • SAAAPA President’s Award • SAAAPA Constituent Organization Award • SAAAPA AOR/HOD Travel Grants • PA Foundation/Specialty Scholarships • APAP President’s Scholarship Award • Peter Nyquist Student Writing Competition • APAP Student Writing Scholarship Awards • AAPA Public Education Achievement Award

30. SAAAPA MeetingsOpen the Doors of Opportunity

31. Capitol Constituent Organization Workshop (CCOW) • Held in Washington DC each fall • Students have the opportunity to learn about and discuss important PA issues as well as the PA legislative process • Students can visit State Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill with their Constituent Chapter

32. AAPA Annual Conference • Integral to learning about the PA profession • Participation in the AOR/HOD • Student involvement with the PA Foundation and their activities. • Ability to take part in workshops/courses designed for students • Participation in the National Medical Challenge Bowl • Network with colleagues

33. Regional Meetings and Students? Absolutely! • Participate in the student track that provides topics of interest to PA students • Play in the Regional Medical Challenge Bowl • Network for possible opportunities • Meet the leadership of the AAPA and SAAAPA

34. Suggestions from current faculty • Create a student society website

35. New since last year… • Mentor programs • AOR • HOD

36. New since last year… • Student leadership positions • PAF student representatives • Programs Committee • Communications Committee • Student Society Mentoring Program Coordinator • Student Representative to the PA History Organization • NPCW liaison to AMSA

37. Make a Difference!Get Your Students Involved!