2026 Board of Directors Student Member Candidate

PAEA is accepting applications for the Student Member at Large position on the PAEA Board of Directors.

This position provides a wonderful opportunity for a student leader to:

• Further develop leadership skills
• Make important professional connections
• Get an inside look at how PAEA works
• Learn about the major issues in health care and higher education
• Provide the student perspective on PA education to the Board of Directors.

Board Service Responsibilities and Requirements :  

The Student Member at Large serves a two-year term, beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2027. Candidates must be in the didactic phase at a PAEA member program as of September 1, 2025. The review committee will consider applications with a preference for candidates who have leadership experience. 

Serving on the PAEA Board of Directors requires a meaningful time commitment, and candidates should ensure they have institutional support to allocate the time, travel, and flexibility needed for engagement. Board members are expected to review materials in advance of meetings, participate in ad hoc discussions, and be responsive in communication. This requires daily monitoring and weekly correspondence.   

Board candidates must be able to participate in four in-person board meetings per year. The dates for the 2026 Board meetings are below:  

• January 2026 | Tuesday, January 27 – Friday, January 30 
• April 2026 | Tuesday, April 21 – Friday, April 24 
• July 2026 | Tuesday, July 21 – Friday, July 24 
• October 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Tuesday October 13; will also be required to attend the Education Forum 

Board candidates are also expected to attend at least four virtual meetings per year, which are scheduled between in-person meetings. PAEA reimburses board members for reasonable travel and meal expenses incurred while conducting the business of the Association.

The Student Member at Large can expect to have additional responsibilities, such as, but not limited to:  

• Serve as a member of one or more Board Committees  
• Represent PAEA in various capacities as assigned by the President  

Application & Selection Timeline: 

• Applications open from July 8 – August 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET  
• Interviews scheduled August 6 – 8  
• Selected candidate approved by the Board of Directors on August 28  
• Announcement published in the Networker on September 2 

Submission Requirements: 

The application should include the following components: 

• A brief statement of interest (500-word max)
• A Program Director Certification Form
• A current and complete curriculum vitae (CV); use this template as a guide 
• Responses to the questions below
  • Where do you see the PA profession in 5-10 years, and what is PAEA's role in helping programs prepare for that future? (300-word max) 
  • What unique characteristics and experiences would you bring to the PAEA Board of Directors? (300-word max) 

Applications Deadline: Sunday,  August 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET  

Please contact Gayna Smith at gsmith@PAEAonline.org with any questions.