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Events & Programs

Emerging Leaders Program

The AARC’s Emerging Leaders Program is a prestigious opportunity for outstanding respiratory therapists who aspire to serve in leadership roles or who are early in their leadership journey

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) provides developmental education to participants who wish to advance their respiratory care skills beyond clinical practice roles such as education and leadership.

The program will provide a pathway of education, mentorship, and leadership resources, creating a network of invested, passionate leaders with tools to advance our profession.

This year’s Emerging Leaders Program will start in April and culminate with the graduating “Class of 2026” to be recognized at the AARC International Congress Awards Ceremony in November in New Orleans, LA.

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What to Expect

Accepted applicants can expect to:

  • Identify an area of specific interest (Leadership/Management or Education).
  • Define a SMART goal that they want to accomplish in the program in their specific area of interest.
  • Be paired with a mentor for bi-monthly meetings to help achieve their goals.
  • Participate in moderated leadership discussions or Leadership Grand Rounds each month.
  • Complete a module (Education or Management) in the AARC Advanced Leadership Institute.
  • Attend AARC Summer Forum and Congress in 2026 (travel costs will be at the expense of the applicant).
  • Commit to spending around 8 hours per month participating in the program.

For more perspective on what to expect, listen to a podcast with 2024 Emerging Leaders Program participants Meliza Walsh and Doug Gardenhire.

What are the Benefits?

Graduates of the AARC’s Emerging Leaders program will:

  • Receive complimentary registration to AARC Summer Forum 2026 ($499 value).
  • Receive complimentary registration to AARC International Congress 2026 ($485 value).
  • Receive access to the aligned track in AARC University Advanced Leadership Institute ($400 value).
  • Receive complimentary AARC leadership and management specialty section membership for one year following program completion and graduation.
  • Receive prestigious recognition at the AARC’s 2026 International Congress Awards Ceremony.
  • Be entitled to refer to themselves as an “AARC Emerging Program Leader Graduate — Class of 2026”.
  • Establish an expanded network of professional colleagues and mentors.
  • Be positioned to take the next step in their leadership journey and impact the profession of respiratory care for decades to come (Value: Priceless!).

How to Apply

  • The AARC is enriched by unique differences found among its diverse members. The AARC values and embraces equal opportunity and promotes the use of personal and cultural backgrounds to enhance our profession. Therefore, everyone is encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants will be required to provide demographic information, employment information, volunteer activities, education history, leadership area of interest, and a brief description of why they wish to be selected for the ELP, and a resume/CV.

The deadline for 2026 applications is Jan. 19, 2026.

Apply for the Emerging Leaders Program
Apply to be an Emerging Leaders Program Mentor

Applicant Selection Process

  • Each applicant is evaluated independently using a scoring rubric, looking at professional accomplishments, educational achievements, volunteerism, and intended goals of the program.
  • The ELP committee will select applicants based on the overall quality of the application.
  • While we encourage everyone to apply, we will be accepting 20 people into the ELP program for 2026.
  • All applicants will receive notification of acceptance or denial by the end of March 2026.
  • Anyone not accepted is encouraged to apply for future programs and will be provided with alternative leadership resources.

Helpful Resources