Student Life
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a group of elected and appointed students who help run graduate student life at Penn State College of Medicine. The GSA helps to facilitate communication between the student body and program administration and coordinates events such as the annual Graduate Research Forum and the Biennial Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Day to provide educational opportunities for all members of the Penn State College of Medicine community. Members of GSA also help incoming and new students adjust to graduate school life through social and academic services.
The GSA executive board and committee chairs are available to answer questions, direct graduate students to services and resources available at Penn State, and help students navigate campus, locate various offices, and identify various student or local organizations. Any student with questions should feel free to contact any of the GSA executive officers listed on this page.
The GSA welcomes volunteers to help with various projects and looks forward to suggestions to help the group better serve Penn State graduate students. For ways to get involved in GSA, contact an executive officer or committee chair.
Active Graduate Student Groups
The Fellowship for Outreach and Study of Structural Anatomy (FOSSA) is a student organization that aims to bring together graduate and professional students with a shared interest in anatomy and the anatomical sciences. FOSSA aims to promote appreciation for anatomy across the Penn State College of Medicine campus while also engaging the broader community through outreach initiatives. The organization provides opportunities for students to explore anatomical topics, connect with peers who share an interest in human structure, and participate in activities that highlight the importance of anatomy in medicine, research, and education.
Contact
Email FOSSA at psufossa@gmail.com with any questions and to get involved.
Graduate Researchers for Inclusion, Scholarship, and Equity (G-RISE) represent and support the interests of the College of Medicine’s current and future diverse graduate and professional student community. The group accomplishes this goal by supporting scholarship activities and professional development, promoting leadership, providing social and service opportunities, and planning events and activities to promote a sense of community among graduate and professional students and their families.
Lions Talk Science (LTS) is a science communication blog written and run by graduate students at Penn State College of Medicine. Since its founding in 2013, LTS has been operated on a volunteer, extracurricular basis by graduate students with a passion for writing about exciting science in engaging, accessible ways.
The purpose of Pharmaceutical Industry Lion Leaders (PILL) is to provide a supportive and educational community for aspiring professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. The organization aims to facilitate networking, share industry insights, and foster professional development to empower its members to excel in their pharmaceutical careers.
The Public Health Association for Service and Excellence (PHASE) is a student-led public health service organization within the Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine. The mission of PHASE is to:
Increase public health literacy through education, advocacy, PHASE-sponsored events and community service
Provide members with the opportunity to engage with and give back to the community
Develop professional skills and relevant public health experience
The Physician Scientist Student Association (PSSA) is the student governing body for all dual-degree MD/PhD students enrolled at Penn State College of Medicine. The purpose of this organization is to address the unique needs of MD/PhD students. PSSA is responsible for organizing both professional and social events to facilitate vertical integration among all years of the Medical Scientist Training Program, working with program leadership to coordinate prospective student recruitment, and representing Penn State College of Medicine at the national level through the American Physician Scientist Association (APSA).
Science Policy, Advocacy, Research, and Knowledge (SPARK) at Penn State College of Medicine is dedicated to fostering informed and effective science policy through rigorous research, strategic advocacy, and comprehensive knowledge dissemination.
Mission
Our mission is to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy-making, ensuring that science serves as a cornerstone for public health decisions and innovations. We strive to empower our community with the tools and understanding necessary to influence policy, advocate for evidence-based practices, and drive forward-thinking solutions that address the complex challenges at the intersection of science, medicine, and society.
Contact
For more information or to get involved, email Zari McCullers at zem5060@psu.edu and Elise Shealy at egs5413@psu.edu. Follow us on Instagram.
Inactive Graduate Student Groups
Active Minds is the largest nonprofit in the United States mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms across society. Together, we are building a diverse movement of champions.
Mission Statement: Active Minds mobilizes youth and young adults to lead a transformative movement in mental health, forever changing how it is valued and prioritized in society. By equipping, connecting, and amplifying the collective and diverse voices of youth and young adults, we are building a movement of lasting champions who are improving mental health norms for all.
Graduate students created a chapter (now inactive) of Active Minds at Penn State College of Medicine.
Learn more about the national organization, Active Minds.
The Business and Innovation Group is a professional development group run by graduate students and postdoctoral scholars and fellows. The group aims to increase exposure of graduate students and postdocs at the College of Medicine to alternative careers in business consulting, medical innovation development, and technology transfer.
The group's primary activities include carrying out pro bono consulting projects with emphasis on improving local business activities related to the life sciences and medical innovation. The group collaborates on multiple projects with different central Pennsylvania entrepreneurial and life science innovation offices. Additionally, the group hosts business-related workshops and case study sessions in order to prepare members for attending case and pitch competitions at other universities or venture capital investment firms.
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) has been empowering women as individuals and as a community since 1921. For almost 100 years we have worked to advance the participation and recognition of women in scientific fields through grants, awards and fellowships.
Today, with over 1,000 members and many chapters spread across the globe, our organization is stronger than ever. Our National organization, which serves as the umbrella for all of our local chapters, works hard to oversee our endowments, administer fellowships, provide professional development and networking opportunities for our members, and ensure the continuity of this unbelievable organization.
The Penn State College of Medicine GWIS chapter aims to provide mentoring opportunities for the professional and personal development of all graduate women on campus and organize outreach and yearly networking events.
Lean more about the national organization, Graduate Women in Science (GWIS).
New Graduate Student Groups
If you are interested in starting a new graduate student club or organization, please complete and submit the application below. Contact Rachel Reager, director, Office of Graduate Education, via email at rmr16@psu.edu with any questions.