Episodes

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, talks with Sean Kramer, MSHS, PA-C, program director and chair at the Samuel Merritt University PA Program in Oakland, CA, and Rachel Rogowski, PA-C, a recent graduate from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, about their involvement in the PA Student Success Competition. Rachel shares her path to becoming a PA and how the competition inspired her to connect and lead within the profession. Sean reflects on his role as faculty champion, emphasizing the i...

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, talks with Tyler Smith, MPH, chief policy officer at the PA Education Association, about the many pathways to financing PA education. Tyler breaks down federal student loan options—including unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Grad PLUS loans—alongside private lending alternatives. He also explores recent changes in PA education funding, key advocacy initiatives, and the role of programs like the National Health Service Corps and Public Service Loan Forgivenes...

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, sits down with Kathryn Reed, PA-C, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh and founder of the National Society of Black Physician Assistants (NSBPA), to explore how virtual shadowing is transforming access to the PA profession. Reed explains how this innovative approach expands opportunities for pre-PA students, especially those facing geographic, financial, or systemic barriers. She offers practical tips for identifying high-quality virtual ex...

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, chats with Erika Brooks, manager of application services at the PA Education Association (PAEA), about the essential tools and resources available to prospective PA students. Erika breaks down PAEA’s suite of admission services—including the CASPA application and the CASPA Program Directory—and shares how these tools can help applicants find programs that match their values and goals. The conversation also explores the competitive nature of PA admissions, ...

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, talks with Kristy Goodman, MS, MPH, PA-C, associate director of PA admissions at Southern California University of Health Sciences, and Amy Terstriep, Ph.D., director of pre-professional advising at Purdue University, about the growing issue of ghosting in the PA admissions process. They explore why applicants and institutions alike sometimes go silent, the role of virtual interviews, and how both sides can foster clearer, more respectful communication. Wi...

In this episode, Emma Sellers chats with Jessica Scholz, director of client support at Liaison International, to break down the CASPA application process for PA programs. Jessica explains what CASPA is, its benefits, and how to navigate key timelines. The conversation highlights common mistakes to avoid, best practices for managing your application, and the importance of thorough research and preparation. Whether you're just starting or finalizing your application, this episode provides actionab...

In this episode, Emma Sellers sits down with Kelli Hutchens, Assistant Director at the University of Mississippi, to discuss her work guiding students through the PA admissions process. Kelli shares how she developed a specialized pre-course to help pre-PA and pre-med students prepare for their applications, along with the unique challenges aspiring PAs face, such as varying school requirements, competitive timelines, and the need for hands-on patient care experience. She offers practical advice...

In our season 6 premiere, host Emma Sellers chats with Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, about the organization’s fresh approach to its goals. Dr. Fletcher explains how recruitment and retention efforts are being unified under the lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. She shares insights on the critical need for early exposure to healthcare careers, starting as early as elementary school, and highlights the role of community involvement in shaping future healthcare prof...