The North Carolina Academy of PAs (NCAPA) hosted the third annual HBCU Pre-PA Fair on Saturday, April 12th, at the Stead Center. Pre-PA students from North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) traveled to Durham, where the day was full of intentional learning about the profession, eye-opening discussions with practicing PAs and PA students, and meaningful connections with PA program representatives.
The day began with a virtual welcome from the NCAPA President, Christopher Norman, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA, followed by the “Introduction to the PA Profession,” delivered by Immediate Past-President, Andrea McKinnond, PA-C.
The presentation was then followed by a deep dive into CASPA and the PA school application process, presented by Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, Director of Student Scholarship/Admissions at NC A&T PA Program.
Pre-PA students also got to hear valuable insights on “Personal Statement & Interview Hot Topics” presented by Jasmine Cofield, PA-C, consultant, executive director, and co-founder of Physician Assistants of Color (ThePAC), a national organization dedicated to increasing diversity and representation within the PA profession.
Afterwards, pre-PA attendees had an interactive panel discussion and Q&A with practicing PAs and PA students. Panelists shared their personal experiences and storied their journey into the PA profession. This panel, hosted by HBCU Outreach Chair Domonique Koomson, PA-C, featured Jessica Veale, PA-C, Derrick Smith, PA-C, Jasmine Cofield, PA-C, and Victor Witherspoon II, PA-S.
Attendees then ended the day with a “PA Program Meet and Greet,” getting direct one-on-one discussions with the following PA programs and their representatives in attendance:
- Campbell University
- Duke University
- East Carolina University
- Elon University
- Gardner-Webb University
- High Point University
- Methodist University
- NC A&T University
- Pfeiffer University
- South College Asheville
- UNC Chapel Hill University
- Wake Forest University
Thank you to the members of the NCAPA DE&I Committee/HBCU Outreach Subcommittee, volunteers, coordinators, program representatives, and speakers/panelists for your bringing this event to life for a third year in a row! With many North Carolina PA programs under one roof, plus an incredible lineup of practicing PAs, mentors, PA students, and organizations, the annual NCAPA HBCU Pre-PA Fair was an opportunity to learn about entering the profession and inspire the future generation of PAs.
The 2025 NCAPA HBCU Pre-PA Fair was made possible in part through a generous grant from the nccPA Health Foundation as part of their STEP Up Grant.
