Executive Council for Education (ECE) Chair
ECE Mission Statement
The Executive Council for Education (ECE) informs and assists the NATA in providing resources and support for athletic training education. Through its commitment to improving evidence-based practice, the ECE proactively advances best educational practices and fosters meaningful connection among athletic training educators across professional and post-professional settings.
The ECE serves in an advisory and collaborative capacity, informing and assisting NATA staff with the development of direction and policy related to athletic training education and educator-focused initiatives within NATA’s broader educational strategy. In addition to its policy and strategic responsibilities, the ECE champions the development of high-quality educational content and meaningful engagement opportunities specifically for athletic training educators, including program faculty, preceptors, clinical education coordinators and professional development leaders.
The chair administers and coordinates the work of the ECE ensuring that programming reflects the needs of educators across career stages and practice settings. A particular emphasis of this role is strengthening resources, professional development and community-building opportunities for those who educate and mentor future athletic trainers.
The person in this position collaborates with external organizations and associations that impact athletic training education, such as the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) and the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP).
The chair maintains regular communication and collaboration with NATA Board and staff liaisons to ensure alignment between educator needs, strategic priorities and organizational initiatives.
The Council Chair would begin shadowing upon appointment; the official term begins at the June 2027 Convention and ends in June 2029, with an option for renewal through June 2031.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must:
· Hold the ATC credential.
· Maintain an active NPI number.
· Be a member, in good standing, of the NATA.
Preferred Qualifications & Experience
Strong candidates will demonstrate the following:
· Significant experience in athletic training education across academic, clinical or professional development settings.
· Experience as a program director and/or CAATE site visitor.
· Demonstrated leadership at the institutional, state, district or national level, particularly in educational environments, education policy or educational programming.
· Prior service on an NATA committee (preferably as chair), ideally with the ECE or a closely allied group.
· Experience navigating volunteer leadership structures and national committee work.
· Clear understanding of the roles, functions and interactions among NATA, the NATA Foundation, the BOC and CAATE.
· Ability to think strategically about the future of athletic training education.
· Experience contributing to educational program development or oversight.
· Demonstrated commitment to advancing athletic training education.
· Strong consensus-building and facilitation skills.
· Ability to engage diverse stakeholders and navigate complex conversations.
· Effective communication skills and the ability to translate strategy into action.
Application Process
Interested parties should submit the following documents.
· Cover letter summarizing relevant experience and interest in the vacancy.
· Curriculum vita.
· Letter from dean/department chair/supervisor expressing support for the candidate’s application.
Conflict of Interest
Committee members avoid conflicts of interest between the position as an NATA volunteer and the member's personal and professional life. When necessary, members declare a conflict of interest and abstain from both the discussion and voting of any matter in which the member has a personal or business interest. (A conflict of interest is defined as any social, professional or economic relationship with individuals or the matter at hand that could affect one's judgment and result in an outcome that might not reflect the best interests of the NATA and/or the committee.
The role of serving as a volunteer within NATA demonstrates a distinguished level of service to the association. This policy is designed to identify, mitigate, and prevent conflicts and dualities of competing interests before they occur, ultimately protecting both the volunteer and the NATA. To ensure a rewarding experience, loyalty, dedicated service and member value, committee/council/task force members should hold no other positions on boards of directors (and/or officer) or committees, within Strategic Alliance partners from the time they begin shadowing for their NATA position until their term ends. Additionally, committee/council/task force members should hold no other volunteer positions with external athletic training or sports medicine organizations, associations, or societies (not including district or state athletic training organizations or service on a state regulatory board) from the time they begin shadowing for their NATA position until their term ends. The disclosure form and commitment to serve agreement must be submitted as part of the application for this position.
In the event a conflict of interest arises during the Member’s term of service, the volunteer must immediately disclose the conflict to the Volunteer Engagement Manager for review by the NATA Board of Directors to determine the timing of a succession plan. The Board may determine immediate resignation, resignation at the end of December or resignation/completion of term at the end of June. Additional exceptions may be considered by the NATA Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.
Intellectual Property
Work and materials developed, created or written—as a committee, work group, or board member, or in any other volunteer capacity for NATA—shall be deemed work-for-hire under copyright, intellectual property, and other laws. NATA is granted sole and exclusive ownership of all such work. Committee members waive all claims and/or so-called “moral rights” to the work, and assign these rights to NATA.
Confidentiality
In connection with your participation, you will be required to agree to a confidentiality agreement as part of your service to the Association.
NATA and its committees, councils and commissions are committed to represent, engage and foster the continued growth and development of the athletic training profession and athletic trainers as unique health care providers. To advance the mission and promote unparalleled delivery of athletic training services amid ever-growing global and diverse populations, NATA and its committees, councils and commissions embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and access as a leadership imperative for our association. All NATA members are welcomed and encouraged to serve on the association’s committees, councils, commissions, etc., as diverse backgrounds, experiences and knowledge help advance the profession and work of NATA.