The APAGS full committee consists of nine elected positions (six members-at-large, a chair-elect, chair, and past chair) and five appointed positions (chairs of five specialized subcommittees).
Call for applications
Elected and appointed positions
Specialized subcommittees
- Committee for the Advancement of Racial Equity and Diversity (CARED)
- Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (CSOGD)
- Advocacy Coordinating Team (ACT)
- Convention Committee
- Science Committee
APA is engaged in a process of transformation, placing a much greater emphasis on making an impact that benefits society and improves lives. In February 2024, the Council of Representatives revised and adopted a new strategic plan that sets APA’s organizational priorities for the next three to five years and enables us to focus the association’s efforts toward maximizing the impact we can have on complex issues facing the field of psychology and broader society.
Going forward, boards and committees will work in an integrated, collaborative, and multidisciplinary manner, since no single board or committee can achieve any of the plan’s objectives on its own. Given the importance of this approach to the association’s strategic priorities, APA encourages nominees to the APAGS committee to review the APA strategic plan to become familiar with the broader context in which their expertise and interests will contribute to APA’s success.
The APAGS chair-elect serves for a total of three years: in the first year (January 2027–December 2027), they serve as chair-elect, then as chair in 2028, and past-chair in 2029. Members-at-large serve for two years (January 2027–December 2028). Within subcommittees, vice-chairs serve for a total of 2 years, first as vice chair from January 1 to December 31, 2027, and then as subcommittee chair during their second year (2028). Subcommittee members serve two-year terms (Jan. 2027–Dec. 2028).
The chair-elect and members-at-large are elected by APAGS members, whereas subcommittee chairs, vice-chairs, and members of subcommittees are appointed internally. For elected positions, the APAGS Elections Committee will review all applications and choose up to three applicants per position to place on the ballot for an open election by APAGS members. Even if you do not have an extensive network of student colleagues, we encourage you to apply. Many previous APAGS leaders were successfully elected without extensive leadership experience or large professional networks.
Available positions
The APAGS Committee is seeking applications through September 2, 2026, for the following positions:
- APAGS Chair-elect
- APAGS Members-at-large (three open positions)
- Vice chair, Science Committee
- Vice chair, Convention Committee
- Vice chair, Advocacy Coordinating Team (ACT)
- Vice chair, Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (CSOGD)
- Vice chair, Committee for the Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Diversity (CARED)
- CSOGD Subcommittee members
- CARED Subcommittee members
- ACT Subcommittee members
- Convention Subcommittee members
- Science Subcommittee members
Please learn more about position descriptions and our elections/appointment processes and visit our FAQ page for more information about the expectations, responsibilities, time commitments, and application requirements associated with APAGS leadership positions.
APAGS priorities
APAGS has developed strategic priorities, in which we describe our objectives to advocate on behalf of psychology graduate students. In addition to the APAGS strategic priorities, APA has a strategic plan for the entire association.
APAGS remains dedicated to encouraging participation that reflects the wide spectrum of experiences and perspectives that capture our broad membership. We encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints can contribute to the richness of our collective endeavors. APAGS welcomes applicants from all stages of graduate training, including individuals within their first or second year of study, as well as individuals from master’s and doctoral-level training programs. We also welcome applications from all psychology training backgrounds and specialties, including but not limited to social, developmental, cognitive, community, experimental, applied, I/O, clinical, school, and counseling psychology.
Specific notes for member-at-large candidates
There are three member-at-large positions available. Through our application process, we are seeking applications from individuals with specific interests in supporting the APA strategic plan and APAGS strategic priorities.
We encourage applicants to review both the APA strategic plan and APAGS strategic priorities and propose ideas for advancing each. The APAGS Elections Committee supports creativity in proposals and platforms. For example, some areas of potential opportunity include, but are not limited to, involvement in research or advocacy; developing social media content or a webinar series on topics such as alternative academic careers; and eliminating student debt.
Once elected, all members-at-large will be a part of the next year’s elections committee, which will include supporting election awareness, education, and appointments for both APAGS and select APA positions.
If applicants have different ideas that align with the strategic plan and priorities, we encourage them to share their ideas in the application materials.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current master’s or doctoral students* in good standing at a regionally accredited institution at the time of application, studying psychology or a related field.
* To be eligible for APAGS chair-elect, applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology. All other positions are open to students in master’s programs.
Applicants must have at least one academic year remaining in their graduate program once they start their term.
Additionally, applicants must be:
- An APAGS member.
- Organized, responsive, efficient, and responsible.
- Able to work effectively and cooperatively with others.
- Willing to commit to a busy term lasting 24 months (36 for chair-elect) to work on behalf of the needs and interests of APAGS and APAGS members, including with APA’s professional staff members who support the committee.
- For subcommittee chair, vice chair, or member positions, applicants must demonstrate specific knowledge, expertise, and/or experience in the substantive area of the respective subcommittee to which they are applying.
- Willing to meet virtually (typically monthly) and primarily during normal business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) for the East Coast, where APA is headquartered.
- Willing to represent a professional organization (APA/APAGS) and to follow both APAGS operating procedures as well as APA bylaws and association rules.
Election rules
For elected positions
To prevent APAGS electronic media from being overwhelmed by members promoting their candidacy during the election cycle, APAGS has the following rules for the use of electronic media:
- Do not use APAGS email lists or APAGS official pages/groups on social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) for advertising your candidacy.
- Violation of this rule may result in being disqualified from the election
- During the election cycle, APAGS will distribute emails that provide all candidates with a chance to make a statement for the election. This is meant to ensure fair access to all electronic media during the election cycle.
- You can only serve in one APAGS leadership role at a time (elected position of APAGS committee, appointed subcommittee chair, appointed subcommittee member).
- You can only apply for one APAGS position at a time. Subcommittee member applicants may only apply to one subcommittee member role at a time; however, you may indicate your interest in other subcommittee member roles at the bottom of your candidate statement (e.g., “Other committees of interest: Science and Convention”). If you are not slated or appointed, and spaces exist on other slates, we may contact you to determine your interest in shifting your application to another group.
How to apply
The application process is fully online, where you must complete some basic information, agree to some terms and conditions if elected or appointed to serve, confirm your APAGS membership, and upload several items merged as one PDF in this order:
- An abbreviated two-page CV.
- A candidate statement:
- For chair-elect applicants: In 300 words or fewer, describe your interest, relevant experience, and broad goals for APAGS and APA that align with APAGS and/or APA strategic plans and priorities.
- For member-at-large applicants: In 300 words or fewer, describe your interest, relevant experience, and specific goals that align with APAGS and/or APA strategic plans and priorities.
- For subcommittee chair and/or vice chair applicants: In 750 words or fewer, describe your potential and/or relevant experience for the particular position.
- For subcommittee member applicants: In 750 words or fewer, describe your potential and/or relevant experience for the particular position.
If chosen to be slated for an election ballot, applicants will have the opportunity to review and revise their candidate statement.
It is your responsibility to verify that you are an APAGS member at the time of your submission. If you are an affiliate (e.g., undergraduate student affiliate, international affiliate), associate member of APA, or any other type, you will need to change your membership status to APAGS (contact Member Services at 1-800-374-2721). If you join APAGS at the time of your application, please submit your electronic receipt as verification that you submitted your application as the last page of your PDF.
Please submit all the required documents in one PDF file. Please label your file as follows: Lastname, First initial - Position name, Year. For example, “Smith, J – Chair-elect, 2026.pdf.” Learn how to merge PDF filesopens in new window.
Online applicationopens in new window
Deadline
September 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Please note that all applications must be received by this date and time. No email or postal mail submissions will be accepted. If you have any questions, please call us at (202) 336-6014 or email APAGS before the deadline.
You may also contact our current APAGS Committee and subcommittee chairs or APAGS staff for questions related to the application process.
Last updated: June 2026Date created: 2012