Dental student elected to ADEA regional leadership role

One of the primary goals: Help local chapters increase participation, interest in dental education.

Less than two years after dental students at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry started a local chapter of the American Dental Education Association, a second student has been elected to a regional leadership position.

As part of Jack Pardo’s one-year term as South Central regional representative for the ADEA Council of Students, Residents and Fellows, this third-year dental student will provide support to other dental schools with fledgling ADEA chapters and serve as a liaison between local chapters and the ADEA administrative board.

“A primary focus is to increase participation throughout dental schools across the country,” says Pardo, president of the college’s ADEA chapter. “We work closely with students who are just starting chapters at their schools, along with existing chapters to brainstorm fundraising activities and create an interest in dental education.”

Pardo joins the ranks of just 11 other students nationwide to serve as regional representatives. Currently the ADEA Council of Students, Residents and Fellows is divided into six regions, each with two student representatives elected by fellow dental students. Pardo serves alongside a student from the UT Houston dental school.

Following a tradition of student leaders from TAMBCD in years past, fourth-year dental student Clint Miller was elected as the South Central regional representative in 2014 and organized the dental school’s ADEA chapter. Pardo says it was his experience working alongside Miller during the 2013-2014 academic year that interested him in the opportunity.

“I enjoy learning about other students’ dental school experiences,” says Pardo. “This position gives me the opportunity to collaborate with other students and see what works and doesn’t work at other schools.”