Are you interested in creating change and learning from leaders in our profession? Are you considering becoming a leader but unsure of how to do so? APTA-WV offers the Student Leadership Academy yearly.
Attend APTA-WV Student Leadership Academy for a weekend dedicated to your personal and professional growth, where you will:
Learn what it takes to be a leader from members of the APTA-WV Board of Directors, a representative from the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy, and other experts in the field.
Hear directly from student leaders and recent graduates about how to get involved at both the state and national levels.
Learn about opportunities for engagement that deepen the meaning of your role as a Professional.
Learn about personal growth and self-care.
You can get to know your fellow PT and PTA students from across the state.
Don’t just join the profession … Help shape it by attending the APTA-WV Student Leadership Academy!
Student Leadership Academy 2026
Student Leadership Academy 2026
April 18-19, 2026
Saint John XXIII Pastoral Center
Charleston, WV
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Sunday, April 19, 2026, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Any student who is enrolled in a DPT or PTA program in West Virginia and who is a member of the APTA-WV is eligible to apply for the Student Leadership Academy (SLA). The SLA is limited to 18 students.
To access the application, select the link below.
All applications must be submitted by Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Saint John XXIII offers a dorm-style room for $29.00/night.
Why?
Employers are looking for leaders. Those who seek opportunities for professional development have a competitive edge. Leadership training also has applications beyond Physical Therapy.
The SLA will add value to the DPT or PTA degree and demonstrate to employers that the graduates of the academy have unique knowledge and skills. Leadership training will fast-track individuals and provide an opportunity for networking with leaders in the physical therapy profession.
Benefits
Selected students will attend a FREE day and a half leadership academy that will help to prepare them for a leadership role in the APTA.
All students who complete the academy will receive a certificate of completion.
Eligibility
ANY student who is enrolled in a DPT or PTA program in West Virginia and who is a member of the APTA WV is eligible to apply for the Student Leadership Academy.
The Academy is limited to 18 students per.
Previous Events
2025
Attendees:
| Hunter Lasure | Mountwest Community & Technical College |
| Ayden McClung | Mountwest Community & Technical College |
| Courtney Barton | Marshall University |
| Megan Kusler | Marshall University |
| Lauren Lindsey | Marshall University |
| Carrie Griffin |
Wheeling University |
2024
Keynote Speaker: Jessica Rine is the Associate Vice President of Foundation and Community Relations for WV Medicine Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
Attendees:
| Marcas Cordova | Marshall University |
| Carrie Griffin | Wheeling University |
| Raighan Kelly | Marshall University |
| Chibuike Obinnakwelu | Marshall University |
| Azim Qadri | Wheeling University |
| Paige Ritter |
Wheeling University |
| Blaise Robson |
West Virginia University |
|
Matthew Strange |
West Virginia University |
|
John Thomas |
West Virginia University |
|
Haleigh Weese |
Marshall University |
2023
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole “Leadership: What it is, how it works, and who’s involved.”
Attendees:
| Marrina Brown | Marshall University |
| Marcas Cordova | Marshall University |
| Kaylan Johnson | Marshall University |
| Chibuike Obinnakwelu | Marshall University |
| Casey Schlachter | Marshall University |
| Jacob Lehman |
West Virginia University |
| Blaise Robson |
West Virginia University |
| John Thomas |
West Virginia University |
2022
Keynote Speaker: Charise Lindsey, Program Coordinator for Leadership Development and Wellness at the Marshall University School of Medicine and CEO and Founder of Lifeseeds Development Group
Attendees:
| Derik Brace | Mountwest CTC |
| Seth Johnson | Mountwest CTC |
| Kayla Brooks | New River CTC |
| Alicia Gallaher | New River CTC |
| Danielle Matheny | New River CTC |
| Marcus Cordova | Marshall University |
| Hallie Barnhart | Marshall University |
| Kaylan Johnson | Marshall University |
| Kaylee Sowers | Marshall University |
| Jordan Suarez | Marshall University |
| Kelsey Thompson | Marshall University |
| Amanda Ferrell | West Virginia University |
2021
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole, Professor and Director of WVU’s Leadership Studies program
Attendees:
| Alexandra Arnoldy | Marshall University |
| Jamie “Jay” Billiter | West Virginia University |
| William Lucas | West Virginia University |
| Serenity Lynch-Bolen | West Virginia University |
| Steven Murray | West Virginia University |
| Jessica Welch | West Virginia University |
| Jarrod Plank | Marshall University |
| Kaitlin Stiltner | Mountwest |
2019
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bobbi Nicholson, Professor of Leadership Studies at Marshall University
Attendees:
| Whitley Adkins | Marshall University |
| Isabella Anile | West Virginia University |
| Lauren Cline | West Virginia University |
| Ian Dobek | Marshall University |
| Kelsie Gillespie | West Virginia University |
| Emma Grose | West Virginia University |
| Summer Hill | Marshall University |
| Amanda King | Wheeling University |
| Andrew Lively | Marshall University |
| Rachael Mears | West Virginia University |
| Winston O’Neal | Wheeling University |
| Chloe Parsemain | Marshall University |
| Cole Salmons | West Virginia University |
| Aaron Saunders | West Virginia University |
| Donald Smith | Marshall University |
| Jared Tucker | Marshall University |
