Student Leadership Team Nurtures Culture of Connection for Baylor PA Program
Baylor University’s inaugural cohort of Master of Physician Assistant Studies are true pioneers. As the first students to pursue this new, hybrid, two-year Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program, these classmates are paving the way for those who come next, nurturing community, providing feedback, and along with the PA faculty and staff, establishing a culture that embodies the Baylor mission.
Former pharmacy technician Gaby Provenzano chose the Baylor PA program because of the convenience of the hybrid modality (she lives in Austin), the accelerated 24-month curriculum, and Baylor’s strong reputation for health-oriented academics. Today, she serves as the class president for the inaugural Baylor PA cohort, and alongside her fellow class officers, has been instrumental in nurturing the blossoming culture of the program.
As class President, Provenzano acts as a liaison with program faculty and staff, sharing thoughts and experiences from her classmates as the new program is developed and refined. This student-oriented feedback loop allows PA faculty and staff to gather helpful information from their students as well as to disseminate reminders and updates. Fellow classmate Sarah Schiller established a cohort GroupMe to help keep the students connected, and Historian Chloe Vergeldt maintains student-run social media pages. Additionally, class Secretary/Treasurer Sophie Dickman creates and sends out monthly newsletters to the cohort that include items like program reminders, birthday shoutouts, podcast recommendations, and a monthly devotional—all curated by the cohort officers.
In addition to streamlining communication and feedback, Provenzano and her fellow officers have also helped to organize a collaborative learning environment through the sharing of resources and expertise. Classmate Daisy Guzman established a shared online notebook where students upload articles, study resources, and informational videos. In addition, the cohort has developed a peer support system where individuals can sign up as mentors or request support to find connection on studying, difficult curricular topics, or encouragement.
Beyond academics, the Baylor PA students have invested heavily in nurturing a caring community during their first few trimesters. Online Bible studies led by Ministry Co-Chairs Ivy Ngaoka and Maddie Barcewski offer faith development and spiritual connection while Health and Wellness Co-Chairs Elle Parent and Katie Laszewski coordinate social events during immersions—like pizza and outdoor recreation at the Baylor Student Life Center—to foster deeper relationships and shared experiences. Provenzano has been working closely with Baylor’s Graduate Student Association (GSA) as well to ensure that hybrid programs, like Baylor PA, are plugged in and able to access GSA events and resources, while classmate Madison Stokes, the cohort’s American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) representative, is developing connections with the national professional society for PAs.
As the next PA cohort prepares to start classes in Fall 2026, Provenzano looks forward to passing down the knowledge that she and her fellow classmates have gained over their first year in the program.
“Before coming to Baylor, I didn’t know anyone who had done a hybrid program, but now we’re going to be able to share with the new students about our experience and what worked with us,” she said. “For me, a hybrid program has made it easier to balance my life with my schoolwork. But I want incoming students to know that you do need that balance, or you’ll burn out. Hearing that from day one will be so important.”
Through academic, spiritual, social, and other wellness-oriented activities and initiatives, Provenzano and her peers are working hard to create the opportunities and resources for Baylor PA students to achieve that balance while thriving in a rigorous program. By nurturing a culture of excellence within a caring and supportive community, the Physician Assistant Studies program truly is—in its very first year—exemplifying the Baylor University mission.
ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes seven academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Physician Assistant Studies; and Public Health. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.