The Student Leadership Committee (SLC) develops ways to meaningfully engage students in the chapter and in APTA. The SLC is instrumental supporting a shared APTA Oregon and APTA goal to develop the next generation of leaders in the physical therapy profession.
The mission of the APTA Oregon Student Leadership Committee (SLC) is to grow a thriving community current PT and PTA students. We aim to promote student involvement and provide a unified voice in APTA and APTA Oregon in order to express views and concerns of students. We strive to foster a collaborative relationship between students and licensed clinicians to promote professional excellence both pre- and post-graduation.
SLC Positions:
Chief Liaison:Coordinates SLC meetings, creates meeting agendas, leads meetings, and presents updates to SLC. Presents updates on the work of the SLC to the APTA Oregon Board of Directors. Designates student leads and task distribution for SLC projects and facilitates student events. Operations Liaison:
In collaboration with the Chief Liaison, coordinates meetings, creates agendas, and emails SLC for input on agendas. Records meeting minutes, manages budget, and updates goal tracker. Social Media Liaison:
In charge of posting updates and events decided by SLC. Coordinates social media takeovers and approves content to be published. National Student Council Liaison:
Attends student council meetings and communicates any national APTA Student Council information to the state level PT & PTA programs via monthly newsletters via social media, email blast, fliers, newsletter, etc. Coordinates events during the year with the SLC. General SLC Representatives:
Attends monthly SLC meetings and forwards monthly newsletters to designated programs. Shares information to students at their respective programs via social media, email blast, fliers, newsletter, etc. Assists in coordinating events throughout the year. Collaborates on SLC initiatives and events, and assists in their implementation.
APTA Oregon provides resources through its: a) Membership Committee and budget, and b) Board of Directors, to advance SLC initiatives devoted to student membership and leadership development.
To contact any of the committee members, please email info@aptaoregon.org
2026-2027 Applications NOW OPEN!
APTA-Oregon Student Leadership Committee (SLC) | Application Cycle 2026-2027
Mission Statement
The mission of the APTA Oregon Student Leadership Committee (SLC) is to grow a thriving community of current PT and PTA students. We aim to promote student involvement and provide a unified voice in APTA and APTA Oregon in order to express views and concerns of students. We strive to foster a collaborative relationship between students and licensed clinicians to promote professional excellence both pre- and post-graduation.
Positions:
The Student Leadership Committee (SLC) is made up of one or more Student Representative from each of the PT/PTA schools in Oregon and the National Student Council Liaison for Oregon. In conjunction with their Student Representative roles, 3 students are additionally appointed as the Chief Liaison, Operations Liaison, and Social Media Liaison.
Each position will be held for 12 months starting in July 2026, except for the National Student Council Liaison which will be held from July 2026 to December 2027 (18 months) to align with the National Student Council cycle.
- Chief Liaison: Coordinates SLC meetings, creates meeting agendas, leads meetings, and presents updates to SLC. Present updates on the work of the SLC to the APTA Oregon Board of Directors. Designate student leads and task distribution for SLC projects and facilitates student events.
- Operations Liaison: In collaboration with the Chief liaison, coordinates meetings, creates agendas, and emails SLC for input on agendas. Records meeting minutes, manages budget, and updates goal tracker.
- Social Media Liaison: In charge of posting updates and events decided by SLC. Coordinates social media takeovers and approves content to be published.
- National Student Council Liaison: Attends national student council meetings and communicates any national APTA Student Council information to the state level PT & PTA programs via social media, email blast, fliers, newsletter, etc. Collaborates on SLC initiatives and events, and assists in their implementation.
- General SLC Representatives: Attends monthly SLC meetings and forwards information to students at their respective programs via social media, email blast, fliers, newsletter, etc. Collaborates on SLC initiatives and events, and assists in their implementation.
Emerging Student Leader Award
The Emerging Student Leader Award (ESLA) is a unique program of APTA Oregon designed to foster leadership and association involvement for interested students in our profession. The award provides the opportunity for one student physical therapist and one student physical therapist assistant to become fully engaged in the governance of our profession at the state and national levels. ESLA award winners become members in the APTA Oregon delegation to the APTA House of Delegates (HOD). The highlight of the award is funding to attend the annual meeting of the HOD (typically held in the summer).
The HOD is composed of delegates from chapters, sections, the PTA Council, Student Council, and Board of Directors. The APTA Oregon delegation consists of 7 apportioned delegates, 1 PTA Council Rep, alternates, and the 2 student awardees. Meetings of the delegation are conducted either virtually or in person in the Portland area on a monthly basis. Students are assigned mentors and participate fully in all discussions and actions of the delegation, except for voting at the HOD. The delegation discusses issues to come before the HOD, including elections of candidates for national office and motions that impact our profession and association. The delegation frequently develops and presents motions, such as the pivotal policy Evaluation and Plan to Address Student Debt in Physical Therapy, which was passed unanimously by the HOD in 2016.
Emerging Student Leaders are expected to share their experiences with their classes, and write an article for the Oregon Log describing the related highlights and benefits. These experiences provide excellent networking and career development opportunities. In fact, many current APTA Oregon leaders were past recipients of this award. Our association, profession, and patients and clients who seek physical therapy benefit from their leadership.
Eligibility
First year PTA students and second year PT students who are APTA Oregon members are eligible to apply for the award.
Funding
APTA Oregon will provide reimbursement for expenses to attend the HOD, including travel, lodging, and meals.
Application
The online application is accessed via the link below, and includes two short essays and two letters of recommendation. Deadline for all application materials is November 30, 2025. Letters of recommendation must be completed by two persons who are not relatives of the candidate, and one recommendation must come from a faculty member of the program in which the student is enrolled. The APTA Oregon delegation will select and notify the awardees.
Congratulations to the APTA Oregon
Emerging Student Leader Award Recipients!
2025 Recipients: SPT - Alexandra Wimberly, SPTA - Jessica Braun
2024 Recipients: SPT - Darschelle Desronvil, SPT - Tiana Duran
2023 Recipients: SPT- Kirsten Londeree, SPT- Brian Rios
2022 Recipients: SPT - Morgan Clark, SPTA - Jose Linares Ochoa
2021 Recipients: SPT - Mason Flores, SPTA - Rebekkah Joliff