What does GSA mean in STUDENTS

The Group on Student Affairs (GSA) is an advisory body of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) that works to ensure the health and well-being of medical students across the United States. It provides policy guidance, consulting services, professional development activities, information exchange, and program support related to student services.

The main goals of the GSA are to improve the quality of medical education for medical students through collaboration with AAMC members and other stakeholders. The GSA also strives to ensure equal access to affordable and quality medical education for all students, regardless of race or economic status. Additionally, GSA works toward optimizing student wellness and developing equitable learning environments.

The Group on Student Affairs collaborates with AAMC members by hosting interactive seminars and workshops focused on updating best practices in student affairs administration. Additionally, GSA offers research-based training programs for medical school administrators and educators about topics such as inclusion and diversity, mental health awareness, stress reduction techniques, leadership development, and coping strategies for academic success.

The Group on Student Affairs maintains a comprehensive online database of resources related to student affairs at the AAMC website. Here you will find information about various programs such as faculty development initiatives, communications tools for faculty advisors/mentors, information on trends in medical education outcomes, policy briefs and news releases related to student financial assistance/debt management/professionalism initiatives.

The membership of Group on Student Affairs is comprised of a diverse group representing medical schools from around the country including faculty advisors/mentors, directors or chairs from college or campus offices with responsibility for student affairs programs or initiatives; other university personnel associated with advising clinical trainees; representatives from educational organizations involved in clinical training; government representatives involved in workforce policy or oversight; staff from state professional societies; representatives from accreditation organizations; private sector employers who have intensive interactions with students in their clinical rotations; consumer groups that advocate for patient safety; and more.

Typically twice per year - once during February/March at AAMC’s annual Leadership Meeting in Washington D.C., as well as another meeting held at an assigned location during June/July each year following the meeting in D.C..

You can get involved by joining one or more committees within the Group on Student Affairs. These committees focus on key topics like Developing Effective Advisers & Mentorship Programs; Information Technology & Systems Integration; Mental Health Initiatives & Programming; Quality Improvement & Outcomes Research ; Teaching Evaluations & Assessment Tools ; Learning Environments ; Advocacy Efforts & Policies ; International Education Programs ; Collaborative Care & Interprofessional Education Models ; Affordability & Debt Management Initiatives , among other areas.