Anderson University Pathologists’ Assistant graduate student Delaney Alyse is taking her leadership beyond the classroom and onto the national stage. Alyse, a St. Louis, Missouri native, has been selected to serve as Chair of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) Student Committee for the 2026–2027 term. Currently completing her clinical rotation year and set to graduate in August 2027, Alyse will represent PathA students from across the United States and Canada in this national leadership role.
As Chair of the AAPA Student Committee, Alyse will help lead efforts to connect and support PathA students, promote professional and leadership development, and encourage student engagement within the AAPA and the profession.
For Alyse, the opportunity is centered on representing students and ensuring their perspectives are heard.
“Being selected as the AAPA student committee chair means I get to represent all PathA students and bring their voices to the national AAPA stage,” she said. “I believe I can bring a fresh and innovative perspective to both new and ongoing initiatives, with a focus on making the Student Committee more relevant and meaningful to PathA students in their everyday lives.”
One of Alyse’s primary goals is to create stronger connections among PathA students across North America.
“My main goal during my term is to create a specialized platform where PathA students across the United States and Canada can connect with each other; where students can ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships,” she said. “The Pathologists’ Assistant field is relatively small within medicine, so having a strong professional network can be really valuable for career growth. If we can start building those connections while we’re still students, I think that can help our profession grow and create more opportunities for collaboration in the future.”
Alyse’s selection builds on leadership experience she developed during the didactic phase of Anderson University’s Pathologists’ Assistant program, when she served as the student representative for her cohort.
“Serving as the student representative for my Anderson University PathA cohort prepared me for this national leadership role by teaching me the importance of always going back to the people I represent before making a decision. I learned that making a decision is often the easy part; finding a solution that everyone can support is much more challenging.”
That experience also shaped the leadership approach she plans to bring to the AAPA Student Committee.
“Being a student representative also allowed me to build strong relationships with my classmates and understand what they value and need from their leadership. I plan to carry that same approach into my role as Student Committee Chair. I want to continue seeking input from both my cohort and other students, listening to their ideas and concerns, and using their feedback to help shape the direction of the committee. I know I won’t have all the answers, and I think one of the most important parts of this role will be making sure students feel heard and that the committee is truly working for them.”
Alyse hopes her term will also make students and prospective students more comfortable seeking guidance and using the resources available through the AAPA.
“The biggest impact I hope to have is making PathA students and applicants feel more comfortable asking questions and, just as importantly, making sure they know where to go to get those questions answered. Being a student can be difficult. You can feel like you are at the bottom of the food chain, nervous about your future, and like you are expected to know more than you actually do. I want students to know that feeling this way is normal and that they are not alone. By creating a space where students can communicate, I hope to show students that the Student Committee and AAPA are there to support them. I want students to see these resources as something they can turn to throughout school and continue using as they enter the profession.”
Her vision extends beyond her term as Chair to the continued growth and recognition of the Pathologists’ Assistant profession.
“Ultimately, I want to help build a stronger sense of community within the PathA profession. I want to help build a profession that is as well-connected, recognized, and strong as other mid-level professions, such as Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. I would consider that a meaningful impact of my time as chair.”
For Alyse, the appointment also provides an opportunity to represent the Pathologists’ Assistant program and the students who helped shape her leadership experience at Anderson University.
“I’m also excited about the opportunity to represent Anderson University’s PathA program. As a newer program, I want to show that our students are just as driven and competitive as those from more established programs.”
Her progression from serving as a representative for her Anderson University cohort during the didactic year to representing PathA students nationally reflects how leadership opportunities developed within the program can extend into the profession.
As Alyse begins her term as AAPA Student Committee Chair, she brings with her the experiences, relationships, and leadership skills developed at Anderson University while providing the University’s growing Pathologists’ Assistant program with representation on a national stage.
