AAPA Student Academy Board of Directors 2026 Election Results Are In!

AAPA student members voted to fill 10 open Board of Directors positions with leadership terms starting July 1, 2026

June 2, 2026

The Student Academy represents the voice of physician associate students across the country. Led by the Student Board of Directors, the Student Academy embraces AAPA’s mission with a focus on student-oriented engagement, professional development, and advocacy. Annually, AAPA student members elect PA student leaders who represent all PA students in the U.S.

During the 2026 election cycle, there were 10 open Student Academy Board positions. The results are in! Learn more about the newly elected 2026-2027 Student Academy Board of Directors.

President-elect

Brionna Palmer will serve as President-elect. The president-elect is a two-year term, in which the student leader serves one year as Student Academy President-elect and one year as Student Academy President/AAPA Student Director on AAPA’s Board of Directors. This position presides over the Virtual Assembly of Representatives (AOR) Meeting for the Student Academy and will succeed the president on completion of their term. Beginning on July 1, current Student Academy President-elect Laura Hassan will transition to the role of Student Academy President/Student Director.

Chief Delegate

Téah Segura will become Chief Delegate and serve a one-year term. Among the duties of Chief Delegate are leading the student delegation to AAPA’s House of Delegates (HOD); representing issues of importance to students in preparing resolutions for HOD consideration; and representing student perspectives on other resolutions brought before the HOD. The Chief Delegate also provides recommendations to the AAPA House Officers regarding student representation on HOD Committees.

Director of Diversity & Outreach

Queena Asabere Williams will serve a one-year term as the Director of Diversity and Outreach, which connects and engages with diversity chairs at student societies, and raises student members’ awareness of AAPA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and resources. In addition to these duties, Williams will also bring the student voice to AAPA’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee during her term.

Director of Student Communications

As the Director of Student Communications, Emely Perez will represent the student perspective on issues facing students and contribute to developing PA student-generated content. She will raise awareness of Student Academy resources, student opportunities, student membership, and AAPA advocacy efforts. This is a one-year term.

Regional Directors

The Student Academy includes six Regional Directors charged with communicating AAPA news and information, resources, and opportunities with Student Academy Representatives (SARs) within their respective regions. They work to increase student awareness of Student Academy leadership opportunities, AAPA student member benefits, and AAPA advocacy efforts. During their one-year leadership term, Regional Directors are responsible for actively encouraging and assisting all PA programs within their region to establish and register a student society with the Student Academy. The following PA students will serve as Regional Directors:

Mid-Atlantic Regional Director

North Central Regional Director

Abigail Gunawan

Denny Nguyen

 

Northeast Regional Director

South Central Regional Director

Amanda Sullivan

Claire Cook

 

Southeast Regional Director

Western Regional Director

Daniel Toole

JeongAh (Jo) Joo

 

Learn more about the Student Academy Board of Directors election – including positions, eligibility criteria, election timeline, and voter eligibility – here. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

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