Galaxy Program

The AST Galaxy is a program to recognize surgical technology educators (Stars) who promote their students future success in the field by encouraging membership in their national professional organization - The Association of Surgical Technologists.

Galaxy Stars receive special recognition throughout the year and at our annual national conference and forums, and their schools receive an Amazon gift certificate.

How Do We Qualify?
If at least 75% of your graduates in 2010 join AST, your program will become a Star in AST's Galaxy. A minimum class size of four student members is required. If your program graduates multiple classes annually, AST will average the individual classes over the year.

Download  Galaxy Explanation Flyer

What do we submit to AST for recognition?

Galaxy Student Roster
This roster is necessary for cross-checking applications from students who do not indicate the name of their school when applying for AST membership. Filling out this roster will also ensure that schools and educators are properly recognized as Galaxy Award winners.

If your school is one of several campuses, please make sure your students specify the campus and school name on their student membership application. If students mail applications to AST separately, this ensures they will be coded to your program.

AST offers students first time exam discounted bundles Please see the EDUCATORS
AST GOLD & SILVER EXAM BUNDLES  PROGRAM PROCESSING PROCEDURE  

to start the process.  For example, the Gold Student Discount Exam Bundle offers a discount on the exam, exam study guide, and AST membership!

Program Year
The AST Galaxy program runs annually from January through December. Memberships must be received by December 31, 2010 to qualify for the 2010 rewards.

Recognition
AST will recognize as Galaxy Stars all programs who are involved in promoting AST membership. If your program qualifies (75% of the class) it will receive recognition in The Surgical Technologist journal, Instructors Newsletter and on the AST web site. Plus, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your graduates started their career with the best resources at their disposal, thereby multiplying their chances of success.

Rewards

AST will also award Amazon.com certificates (based on number of students) to qualifying schools. Because we realize that larger programs have multiple teachers to accommodate the number of students, AST will award additional Amazon.com certificates based on the number of student members per program (based on ARC-STSA PIN*).

To be eligible for the AST Galaxy, programs must be accredited by or are in the process of becoming accredited by CAAHEP. The ARC-STSA PIN is the school code assigned by ARC-STSA (formally the ARC-ST).  The four-digit code is available at www.arcstsa.org.

We appreciate all you do to promote AST and the

profession of surgical technology!

THANK YOU!