About PCSA

The President’s Council of Student Advisors (PCSA) is the student-led organization of The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) composed of ceramic and glass-focused students from around the world.

Undergraduate and graduate students who have a strong interest in ceramic and glass science with leadership qualities are encouraged to apply!

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Undergraduate or Graduate students in Material science or related fields
  • Will graduate at the end of 2026 September
  • Interested in a career in Ceramics and/or Glass
View PCSA Flyer
PCSA-volunteers-COSI-2024

2026-2027 PCSA Application

The 2026-2027 application for PCSA is now open! If you are interested in applying to PCSA, please review the following documents that are a part of the application process before applying below.

Documents for Application:

  • Personal Statement
  • CV* (View CV template here)
  • Recommendation Letters (a minimum of one is required)
  • Passport (optional)

*Need help drafting your resume? Click here for guidelines

 

ACerS PCSA Application 2026-2027

Personal Information

Are you a current member of PCSA?(Required)
Preferred Email(Required)
DD dash MM dash YYYY
The expected graduation date must be after October 2025 to be eligible to apply. Undergraduate seniors who expect to enter a graduate program remain eligible to apply.

Questions

Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
Will you be able to attend the PCSA annual business meeting held in October 2026?(Required)
Note: The PCSA annual business meeting is typically scheduled for the weekend prior to the MS&T conference (https://www.matscitech.org/). The final dates/format of the meeting will be shared with accepted applicants.
Are you willing to find other travel support (such as from your university, department, P.I., etc.) if the PCSA cannot cover all of your travel costs to the annual business meeting?(Required)
To be a PCSA delegate, students are required to be a member of Material Advantage or ACerS Graduate and Doctoral Students, depending on academic status. Material Advantage membership is required for undergraduate students, and ACerS Graduate and Doctoral Students is required for graduate students. Are you currently a member of Material Advantage or ACerS Graduate and Doctoral Students?(Required)
Note: Membership is NOT required to apply. It is a requirement for accepted delegates to have a new or current membership.
Have you previously participated in an ACerS conference (e.g. ICACC, MS&T, etc.) or student event (e.g., competition or mentor program)?(Required)
Are you planning to attend MS&T26 if not selected as a PCSA delegate?(Required)
Please indicate your current ACerS Divisions. If you have not chosen a Division(s), or are not a current ACerS member you may note this below.
Note: Information about the ACerS divisions can be found at www.ceramics.org/divisions.

Documents for Application

All applicants must submit a CV, a personal statement, and a minimum of one letter of recommendation.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 128 MB.
    Please upload your CV, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

    International Students Only

    The information below is required to create an invitation letter if you need to provide one for a VISA application. If you are an international (non-US based) student, you may opt to provide the following information to facilitate the creation of an invitation letter. This is optional and does not guarantee acceptance as a PCSA delegate.
    Full Legal Name
    Address
    DD dash MM dash YYYY
    Place of Birth
    DD dash MM dash YYYY
    DD dash MM dash YYYY
    Max. file size: 128 MB.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which visa type should I apply for?

    You should apply for a B1 visa after you send in your signed contract. Make sure to apply earlier, especially in countries like Pakistan, Turkey, India, Brazil, Ukraine, and Afghanistan where appointment times are longer.

    What if the passport I apply with, expires before the ABM, what should I do?

    You can apply with the passport you have. However, ensure that the passport is renewed before sending us the invitation letter details if you are selected as a PCSA candidate.

    If I apply with a CV template other than the one provided, will it negatively impact my application?

    No, it will not the template provided is for your ease, and using any other template will not negatively impact your application.

    Can I send in a reference letter from an industry supervisor?

    Yes, you definitely can as long as you did a ceramic-field-related internship in the company.

    Testimonials

    "Being a member of PCSA has introduced me to people from all over the world who have similar aspirations as I do."

    —Jack Hoffler, Undergraduate Student, Clemson University
    2024-2025 PCSA Professional Development Chair

     

    "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the PCSA as it allows me to expand my network professionally and personally."

    —Randi Swanson, Graduate Student, UC Davis
    2024-2025 PCSA Communications Chair

     

    "It has made me confident in my abilities as a leader."

    —Anna Asghar, Undergraduate Student, NUST
    2024-2025 PCSA Recruitment and Retention chair