Student Assembly (SA) Project Committees, appointed by the Student Assembly Board of Directors (SABoD), maintain communication with the SABoD on a monthly basis, contribute articles to the Student Assembly Pulse when needed, monitor APTA's website for relevant student content, get involved in student outreach, and contribute ideas to the SABoD.
Project committees are composed of 1 student chair and 3-6 student members. The chair runs the day-to-day operations and leads implementation of goals with the assistance of the project committee's members. A member of the SABoD acts as a liaison to the project committee, directing resources, answering questions, and assisting with goal development.
Project Committee Chairs
Advocacy Challenge Chair: Mandy Watts
E-mail: mlw81947@marymount.edu
Chair Duties: Serve as the liaison between the SA Board, APTA's Grassroots & Advocacy department, and the student assembly membership. This is an opportunity for a student assembly member to play a key role in increasing student contributions to the legislative efforts of APTA.
Foundation for Physical Therapy Chair: Stephanie Sandvick
E-mail: sandvicks@wusm.wustl.edu
Chair Duties: Work directly with the Foundation for Physical Therapy to educate and engage students on the mission of the Foundation. This is an opportunity for a student assembly member to play a key role in organizing and encouraging student participation in the Log N Blog and Pittsburgh-Marquette Challenge fundraiser, share the exciting happenings of the Foundation with students across the country, and potentially create new fundraising events for the Foundation.
"The Loop" Chair: Amanda O'Loughlin
E-mail: amanda.oloughlin@gmail.com
Chair Duties: Increase awareness of and participation in the Student Assembly communication network, "The Loop." This Student Assembly member will have the opportunity to work directly with the Student Assembly Board of Directors and current Ambassadors and Representatives, serving to help maintain "The Loop" by developing new ideas on making "The Loop" stronger. This member will also assist the Student Board of Directors and Nominating Committee by seeking out future Ambassadors and Representatives and providing them with information about these positions.
Miami-Marquette Challenge Chairs: Challenge Chairs: Meredith Loveless, SPT, and Lisa Miller, ATC, SPT (Marquette University), and Katie Dorsey, SPT, Carly Gossard, SPT, and Anne Palermo, SPT (University of Miami)
E-mail: challenge4pt@gmail.com
Chair Duties: Increase awareness of the Challenge and its mission. This is an opportunity for a student assembly member to increase participation in the Challenge and to keep the membership up-to-date with Challenge information.
Minority/International Affairs Chair: Natasha Kopecky
E-mail: nrk8@duke.edu
aptasa.minority.intl@gmail.com
Chair Duties: Work to promote diversity and multicultural awareness within the physical therapy profession and in society at large, and to not only continue fostering involvement among students in the United States, but to be the leaders in uniting students worldwide in promoting the profession and improving global health.
National Student Conclave (NSC) Chair: Kaitlyn Bianco
E-mail: kmb176@pitt.edu
Chair Duties: Work directly with APTA staff to enhance the overall quality of NSC. This is accomplished through communication of student-centered ideas and collaboration with various event organizers. This is an opportunity for a student assembly member to play a key role in tailoring NSC to fit the needs and wants of the student population.
New Professionals Chair: Chukwuemeka Nwigwe
E-mail: c.nwigwe@gmail.com
Chair Duties: Increase communication and collaboration between new professionals (1 to 5 years postgraduation), the SA, and APTA. This individual will also act as a resource for marketing the value of new professional membership retention. This is an opportunity for a new professional to collaborate with APTA staff and SABoD to improve the transition from student to new professional status.
Pro Bono PT Services Chair: Ciara Burgi
E-mail: ciara.burgi@duke.edu
Chair Duties: Work to reduce health disparities across the United States by improving access to physical therapy services for the economically disadvantaged, underinsured, and uninsured. The Committee will work to connect students with resources to develop and/or improve pro bono physical therapy clinics and identify opportunities to practice within and experience pro bono settings.
PT-PAC Chair: Brandon Smith
E-mail: smithbk@vcu.edu
Chair Duties: Work directly with the PT-PAC and its trustees to increase students' knowledge and involvement within the PT-PAC. This is accomplished by encouraging student participation in the PT-PAC Student Stars program, as well as promoting awareness of the PT-PAC, both regionally and nationally. This is an opportunity for a Student Assembly member who is interested in political and government affairs to serve as a liaison between the Student Assembly Board of Directors, the Student Assembly, and the PT-PAC.
Scholarships and Opportunities Chair: Brittany Comer
E-mail: brittanylynn.comer@gmail.com
Chair Duties: Increase the awareness of existing scholarship opportunities and encourages the establishment of new scholarships for PT and PTA students. This is an opportunity for a Student Assembly member to communicate directly with the APTA Web design team to maintain up-to-date scholarship information on the APTA's Web site. This individual will also work closely with the Student Assembly Director to disseminate information about opportunities and events to students.
Student Physical Therapist Assistant (SPTA) Relations Chair: Shawna Anderson
E-mail: sjanderson1@stkate.edu
Chair Duties: Increase communication and collaboration between the SPT and SPTA membership. This is an opportunity for a SA member to enhance the professional relationships between SPTs and SPTAs.
Student Special Interest Group (SIG) Chair: Megan Warner
E-mail: Megan-warner@ouhsc.edu
Chair Duties: Support the development of SIGs within each APTA chapter. This is an opportunity for a student assembly member to play a key role in strengthening the voice of the student population within the profession at both the state and national levels.