Members Making an Impact Together
PAEA is a community shaped by members who share their time, expertise, and leadership to support one another and strengthen PA education.
There are many ways to contribute through volunteer service, from leadership roles to short-term projects, and everything in between. Every contribution helps strengthen the profession and the community it serves.
Together, these efforts create something larger than any one program or institution: a community built on connection, shared purpose, and a commitment to advancing PA education.
Current Openings: View Opportunities and Apply
Become a VolunteerVolunteer Community by the Numbers
505 Volunteers
have contributed their time and expertise so far in 2026
40 Committees, Working Groups, and Advisory Bodies
supporting the profession in 2026
209 Institutions Represented
across the volunteer community
Meet the Members Behind the Work
Across PA education, members serve in different ways, but they share a common commitment to supporting their colleagues and strengthening the profession. Hear why they choose to get involved and what keeps them coming back.
What Members Value Most
For many members, volunteer service is an opportunity to give back to the profession while building meaningful connections with peers who understand the challenges and opportunities of PA education.
Through service, members:
- Connect with educators from across the country
- Share expertise and learn from colleagues
- Contribute to conversations shaping the future of PA education
- Develop leadership skills and broaden professional networks
- Support a stronger, more connected community
Ways Members Contribute
PAEA members serve in a variety of volunteer roles throughout the year as opportunities become available. Application timelines vary depending on the needs of each committee, work group, advisory group, or board.
To be eligible for PAEA volunteer role, candidates must be current faculty or administrative staff members at a PAEA member program or developing program at the time of appointment. Individual Colleague members are eligible to serve in member positions but are not eligible to serve in a chair capacity.
Board of Directors
Provide strategic leadership, fiduciary oversight, and governance to help guide the future direction of PAEA and PA education.
Task Forces and Work Groups
Address emerging issues, explore new opportunities, and develop recommendations on focused topics identified by the Board of Directors and staff.
Standing Advisory Groups
Bring subject matter expertise to issues affecting PA education and provide recommendations that inform PAEA programs, resources, and initiatives.
Short-Term Opportunities
Contribute to specific projects or initiatives, such as reviewing Education Forum proposals, moderating virtual events, or supporting strategic priorities.
Exam Development Boards
Help develop and maintain assessment products that support PA education programs nationwide.
Journal of PA Education (JPAE)
Support the peer review and editorial processes that advance scholarship and research in PA education.
Open Positions
PAEA is seeking 2-3 volunteers per region to serve on the Program Teams for the three 2027 Regional Education Meetings. These region-specific teams will provide strategic guidance, recommendations, and subject-matter expertise throughout the meeting planning process and will play a key role in the onsite meeting experience.
In partnership with the host program, Program Team members will help shape meeting outcomes, contribute to agenda development, facilitate discussions, and serve as ambassadors for collaboration and engagement during the event.
Preference will be given to applicants who have attended a previous Regional Education Meeting, as that experience provides valuable context for planning and facilitating a successful event.
Program Team Responsibilities
- Help define the intended outcomes and goals for the meeting
- Advise on educational programming and networking opportunities
- Provide recommendations for plenary session speakers
- Review and advise on the final meeting agenda
- Serve as stewards of the meeting by encouraging participation, collaboration, and engagement
- Evaluate the meeting and provide recommendations for future improvements
- Attend and serve as a facilitator for your region’s Regional Education Meeting, partnering with the host program to create an engaging, participant-centered experience. Facilitator responsibilities may include:
- Serving as a meeting host alongside the host program
- Emceeing general sessions and key meeting activities
- Facilitating discussions and audience engagement
- Moderating panel sessions and audience Q&A
- Leading networking and collaborative learning activities
- Identifying and synthesizing common themes and key takeaways across discussions
- Encouraging participation from diverse perspectives and helping guide conversations toward the intended meeting outcome.
Successful Program Team members should be comfortable with public speaking, facilitating group discussions, moderating panels, guiding audience participation, synthesizing themes and insights in real time, and helping create an inclusive and engaging environment for attendees
*PAEA staff, in partnership with the host program, will manage all meeting logistics and operations, including event coordination, registration, audiovisual support, continuing education credit, speaker and presenter management, marketing and communications, meeting materials, evaluation processes, etc.
Benefits of Service
Program Team members will receive:
- Complimentary registration for their Regional Education Meeting
- Travel support in accordance with PAEA’s travel policy
- A letter of service recognizing their contributions to a national professional organization for inclusion in their CV or professional portfolio
Time Commitment
- Approximately 1-year term beginning October 1, 2026
- 1-hour monthly Program Team Meetings
- 2-hours of asynchronous work per month
- Additional meetings outside of regular team meetings as needed: with host contact or PAEA
Application Process
- Complete an application HERE (will add link)
- Applications must include:
- Response to each question
- A current CV demonstrating experience relevant to meeting facilitation, program planning, and collaborative leadership
- Commitment to PAEA Volunteering
- Candidates may be invited to participate in a virtual interview the week of August 31 – September 7
Applications must be submitted by August 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Applicants to be notified of their status by the end of September.
For questions, please contact volunteers@paeaonline.org.
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Goals of the Regional Education Meetings:
- Foster the creation and implementation of a common mission, helping to shape the next generation of educators.
- Facilitate the development of a regional network of tribe relationships and a regional community of interprofessional collaborators, as well as sharing practical resources.
- Provide opportunities as part of ongoing personal and professional growth, meeting both the immediate and long-term needs of PA educators and administrators, and creating a culture of life-long learning.
- Provide regional networking opportunities for stakeholders within the PA educational system (i.e., faculty, staff, administrators, preceptors, new graduates, students, other health professions, health care systems, AHECs/CHCs, etc.).
- Provide a space to engage community partners, developing relationships with and supporting the health and wellness of those communities.
- Foster innovation through the empowerment of faculty.
- Be committed to developing and integrating inclusive excellence, both within the meeting and throughout the PA educational system.
- Be flexible and user-driven, adapting to meet the environment and guided by the attendees.
- Provide a space to engage, develop, recruit, retain, advise, and mentor potential faculty and preceptors.
- Expand the access to and impact of PAEA and its members.
Purpose
Forum Experience Ambassadors help create a welcoming, engaging, and seamless Education Forum experience. Serving alongside PAEA staff, ambassadors support educational sessions by welcoming attendees, introducing speakers, sharing announcements, encouraging audience participation, and helping ensure sessions run smoothly from beginning to end.
Number of Volunteers Needed
Approximately: 60+
Who Should Volunteer?
Members who enjoy meeting colleagues, supporting educational programming, speaking in front of groups, and contributing to an exceptional conference experience.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a welcoming and professional presence during assigned Forum sessions.
- Introduce speakers using prepared remarks.
- Share session announcements.
- Encourage audience participation.
- Assist PAEA staff with session logistics.
- Represent PAEA professionally.
Time Commitment
Approximately 1.5–12 hours total, including a brief virtual orientation, an onsite Ambassador Huddle, and support for up to ten (10) concurrent education sessions.
Support You’ll Receive
Orientation, scripts, talking points, assignments, and staff support throughout the conference.
Volunteer Expectations
Attend required orientation, arrive on time, complete assignments, notify PAEA if unable to serve, and uphold PAEA’s Code of Conduct.
Benefits of Volunteering
Network with colleagues, support presenters, enhance the attendee experience, and gain facilitation experience.
Application Deadline
September 21, 2026
If you are interested in being a Forum Experience Ambassador, SIGN UP by September 21, 2026
Notification of session assignments will be sent no later than October 2.
Questions, please contact Volunteers@PAEAonline.org
Purpose
REM Champions will facilitate Regional Roundtables, encourage discussion, and capture attendee feedback to strengthen future Regional Education Meetings.
Number of Volunteers Needed
Approximately: 10 volunteers from each region: North, South, and Midwest (~30 total)
Who Should Volunteer?
Past REM attendees who enjoy networking, facilitating discussions, and improving member experiences.
Responsibilities
- Host a Regional Roundtable.
- Welcome participants.
- Guide discussion using provided prompts.
- Foster inclusive conversation.
- Capture key themes.
- Submit a brief feedback summary.
Time Commitment
Approximately 2.5–3 hours total, including a required breakfast orientation, facilitation of the Regional Roundtables session, and a brief post-session feedback form.
Support You’ll Receive
Orientation, facilitation guide, discussion prompts, materials, and staff support.
Volunteer Expectations
Attend orientation, facilitate respectfully, encourage participation, submit feedback, and represent PAEA professionally.
Benefits of Volunteering
Help shape future REMs, build regional connections, develop facilitation skills, and influence future programming.
Sign Up Deadline
If you are interested in being a REM Champion, SIGN UP by September 21, 2026
Notification of session assignments will be sent no later than October 2.
Questions, please contact Volunteers@PAEAonline.org
Purpose
PASS Volunteers inspire future healthcare professionals by visiting local schools and community organizations to introduce students to the PA profession.
Number of Volunteers Needed
Unlimited
Who Should Volunteer?
Members who enjoy mentoring, community outreach, and sharing their passion for the PA profession.
Responsibilities
- Participate in a scheduled outreach visit.
• Share your educational and career journey.
• Introduce students to the PA profession.
• Answer questions.
• Represent PAEA positively.
Time Commitment
Approximately 3–4 hours total, including orientation, transportation (provided by PAEA), and one outreach visit.
Support You’ll Receive
Orientation, presentation materials, transportation, and staff coordination.
Volunteer Expectations
Attend orientation, arrive on time, engage professionally, represent PAEA positively, and notify staff if unable to participate.
Benefits of Volunteering
Inspire students, increase awareness of the PA profession, serve the Austin community, and extend the impact of Education Forum.
Sign Up Deadline
If you are interested, SIGN UP by October 2, 2026. Communication to all volunteers will be sent as you sign up on a rolling basis.
Questions, please contact Volunteers@PAEAonline.org
General Information:
- Application submission and notification timelines will vary depending on the position and needs of the committee, workgroup, or board.
- Terms of service will vary depending on the position and needs of the committee, workgroup, or board.
- Each applicant may be asked to sign a Code of Ethics Agreement and to complete a Conflict-of-Interest Policy Form.
- If applying for an Exam Development Board, you may be asked to sign an additional volunteer member agreement.
- All candidates must be a current faculty or staff member at a PAEA member program or developing program at the time of appointment.
- Chair candidates must be a current faculty or staff of a PAEA member program or developing program. Individual Colleague members are not eligible to serve in a Chair capacity.
Volunteer positions will be posted throughout the year as they arise for both ad-hoc work groups as well as standing committees and boards.
Please check back periodically for new volunteer opportunities.
