Student Advocacy Challenge

Student Advocacy Challenge 2026

The Student Advocacy Challenge is a contest for PT and PTA students and programs to participate in advocacy activities as a first step in career-long advocacy engagement. Programs compete against each other by conducting advocacy activities throughout the year. Students will submit records of their activities on behalf of their school through the Student Advocacy Challenge website or through the APTA Advocacy App.

Student Advocacy Challenge Form

2026 Student Advocacy Challenge Participating Programs as of Oct. 6, 2026:

Andrews University
Angelo State University
Belmont University
Boston University
Bradley University
Briar Cliff University
Charleston Southern University
Clarke University
Creighton University Phoenix
East Carolina University
Elgin Community College
George Washington University
Graceland University
Hawaii Pacific University
Husson University
Indiana State University
Indiana University
Kilgore College
Marymount University
Medical University of South Carolina
Mercer University
Mid Michigan College
New York Insititute of Technology
New York Medical College
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Oklahoma City University
Old Dominion University
Rockhurst University
Saint Francis University
Shenandoah University
Springfield College

Temple University
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
Thomas Jefferson University
Touro University Nevada
Universidad Ana G Méndez
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Central Florida
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Findlay
University of Hartford
University of Iowa
University of Jamestown
University of Louisiana Monroe
University of Miami
University of Michigan Flint
University of Nebraska Lincoln
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of New England
University of New Mexico
University of North Florida
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
University of South Alabama
University of South Dakota
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
University of the Cumberlands
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
West Virginia University
Western Michigan University
Widener University

First Name

Last Name

APTA ID Number

School Name

State of Program

Eligible Activites and Scoring

Activity	Points	Maximum Points Per Program
Write an email to your legislators via APTA's Legislative Action Center:	3 points per email	150 or 50 emails
*Have 10 non-students participate in an APTA letter-writing campaign using the APTA Patient Action Center (must list the names of those who took action)	2 points per email	300 or 150 letters
Join the APTA Advocacy Network	5
Become a Student Star by contributing $20 to PTPAC	10
Make PTPAC donation of any amount; if you donate $20, you will receive an additional 10 points for becoming a Student Star	10
Attend a town hall meeting (virtual or in person) for a legislator	10
Attend a National Advocacy Dinner (virtual or in person)	10
Attend a presentation on APTA advocacy	10
Attend a state chapter's legislative day	10
Participate in APTA Flash Action Strategy, Sept. 23-24, 2026	10
Attend APTA Capitol Hill Day April 19-21, 2026	20
Attend a state or federal legislative meeting outside of an organized lobby day (only one individual needs to submit per program for each meeting attended)	30 points per meeting	150 or 5 meetings
Give a presentation on APTA advocacy to your program (template presentation/script available)	40
Host a National Advocacy Dinner (only one individual may submit per program)	50	50 or 1 dinner
Host legislator at your physical therapy program (only one individual may submit per program)	50	50 or 1 hosted

Selection

*List of student participants from Activity 2

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