Scholarship Recipients Take Lessons Learned to Programs
PAEA’s Inclusive Excellence Advancement Scholarship enabled two faculty members to enhance their skills and professional networks in 2024. Chileatha Wynn, DMSc, PA-C, director of clinical education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Samuel Paik, MSPAS, PA-C, assistant professor at Charles Drew University, used the scholarships to attend professional education opportunities that allowed them to continue to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts in their programs.
The scholarship is part of PAEA’s commitment to helping member programs build more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments for PA faculty, staff, and students by supporting faculty development. It provided up to $3,000 to cover expenses for professional development opportunities in the areas of leadership development, recruitment, and retention of faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds that may align with the diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements of ARC-PA Standard A1.11.
Dr. Wynn attended the 2024 NCCPA REPRESENT Summit in Atlanta, where presentations explored ongoing research on pertinent topics and studies that support EDI efforts and future research. Wynn said she found the programming on how to recognize factors that contribute to burnout and to develop the skills to help recovery invaluable.
“I’ve used a number of the suggestions since I’ve been home. The REPRESENT Summit was a transformative experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate and benefit from the time in community with like-minded colleagues,” she said.
Paik attended the 2024 PAEA Education Forum in Washington, DC, where he attended a session on strategies to recruit and retain a diverse student body and faculty, and on creating inclusive learning environments through holistic admissions processes and mentorship for underrepresented students. He also attended sessions covering the evolution of accreditation standards and explored how to maintain high-quality education in PA programs by avoiding common pitfalls and implementing best practices for compliance.
In addition, Paik was a presenter for the Diversity and Inclusion Mission Advancement Commission’s (DIMAC) presentation, “DEI Backlash: Navigating Institutional Fear in the Contemporary Educational Landscape” as well as “Intentional Mentoring for Black Men: Promoting Educational Equity and Sustainability” with Daytheon Sturges, PhD, PA-C, vice chair, associate program director at University of Washington, which focused on mentoring Black men.
“The 2024 PAEA Forum highlighted critical issues and emerging trends in PA education,” he said. “The knowledge and insights gained will contribute to my growth as an educator and advocate for excellence in PA education.”
If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, visit the EDI web page to learn about eligibility, funding, and submission guidelines. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
