Student project committees are established by the Student Board of Directors to advance key student initiatives in support of the board.
Each project committee includes one or two chairs and approximately five-to-seven members who are appointed through an annual application process.
The Student Board of Directors selects project committee participants based on applications through APTA Engage.
The Student Board of Directors appoints project committees that align with their annual goals. The following are subject to change.
Community Service Project Committee
The work of this committee should advance the Student Board of Directors' goal to empower physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students by fostering student involvement in service. This committee should promote student opportunities related to community service and engagement with minority and underserved populations. This committee should help neighboring DPT and PTA programs work together on community service. This project committee will work with APTA staff, Special Olympics, and PT Day of Service to further the profession's commitment to improving health and wellness within communities. Members of this project committee should be passionate about expanding a culture of service within the student assembly by creating outreach opportunities, fostering excitement about service, and promoting the impact that physical therapy students can have on different communities.
Advocacy Project Committee
The work of this committee should advance the Student Board of Directors' goal to promote advancement of the physical therapy profession to better serve the needs of society by facilitating student involvement with advocacy efforts. This committee works with APTA staff to promote the association's advocacy efforts, particularly the National Advocacy Dinners and Flash Action Strategy. This includes educating students on current public policy issues and the importance of advocacy for our patients and our profession, serving as a National Advocacy Dinner coordinator to an assigned region, and advancing advocacy and policy initiatives in other ways as tasked by the Student Board of Directors.
Global Outreach
The work of this committee should advance the Student Board of Directors' goal to promote the advancement of the physical therapy profession to better serve the needs of society through promotion of APTA's consumer-centricity and development of cultural competency within the Student Assembly. This committee should promote awareness of global affairs concerning physical therapy and various opportunities available for students abroad. The committee should establish connections with the World Confederation of Physical Therapy and the Global Health Special Interest Group under the APTA Health Policy & Administration Section. This committee should promote international service learning opportunities for students and connect with international physical therapy programs and associations to increase global networking.
Interprofessional Collaboration
The work of this committee should advance the Student Board of Directors' goal to improve communication across the spectrum of all students and professionals. This committee should promote collaboration, education, and networking between students and professionals across various health care disciplines and specialties. While anticipating health care transformations, this committee could advance PT and PTA student understanding of and experience with providing patient-centered care as part of an interprofessional team.