Information about Graduate Directors
National Graduate Director
Responsibilities: Plan, advertise, and implement ASAS graduate student activities at the Annual Meeting such as the symposium, lunch & learn, open forum, and social; serve as a voting member on the national ASAS Board of Directors; attend board meetings in January and July each year (all travel and accommodations covered); serve on various national ASAS committees (Student Activities, Communications, Membership, National Awards, and Agri-King Outstanding Graduate Student Award); recruit and organize National ASAS Graduate Director elections; update the graduate student section of the ASAS website; communicate with members using monthly Facebook/blog postings and updates in the Taking Stock e-newsletter; oversee one of the sectional graduate director committees and facilitate communication; continuously adjust programming activities to meet the needs of a changing and diverse membership.
Time commitment: Varies during the year from 5 to 20 hours per month depending on proximity to the Annual Meeting. Term is from for two years, from July to July. Graduate Directors must be graduate students or post-docs during the duration of their term. While two years is a significant commitment, participation should not interfere with progress towards your degree.
Application Process: Nominate yourself or be nominated when the Call for Nominations is sent out. A committee will then choose two candidates to be finalists. Finalists will be asked to submit a short biography and vision statement. Elections are open to all ASAS members and take place in late April/early May. Finalists will be notified of election results in mid-May and, the new Graduate Director will begin his/her term at the completion of the Annual Meeting in July.
Southern Section ASAS Graduate Director
Responsibilities: Attend Southern Section Meeting; coordinate Graduate Student Lunch & Learn, student mixer and serve as a voting member on the Southern Section Executive Board.
Benefits: Work closely with the Southern Section Committee, who are all well-respected scientists, learn what it take to put on a successful meeting, interact with other graduate students at the Sectional and National level, demonstrate extensive leadership on a CV or resume, powerful networking experience.
Application process: Nominate yourself or be nominated when the Call for Nominations is sent out around October. Qualified candidates will be requested o submit answers to a questionnaire about their qualifications, interest in the position, and goals if elected. A committee selects two finals, which will be voted on in an election open to all ASAS members in the Southern Section. The newly elected Graduate Director will being his/her term at the completion of the Southern Sectional meeting.
Northeast Section ASAS Graduate Director
Responsibilities: Arrange various graduate student activities for the Northeast Section and serve as a voting member on the Northeast Section Executive Board.
Benefits: Powerful networking experience, demonstrates extensive leadership on a CV or resume, learn what it take to put on a successful meeting, interact with other graduate students at the Sectional and National level.
Application process: Nominate yourself or be nominated when the Call for Nominations is sent out. Qualified candidates will be requested o submit answers to a questionnaire about their qualifications, interest in the position, and goals if elected. A committee selects two finals, which will be voted on in an election open to all ASAS members in the Northeast Section.
Midwest Section ASAS Graduate Director
Responsibilities: Arrange various graduate student activities at the Midwest Section Meeting, including the lunch & learn and mixer and serve as a voting member on the Midwest Section Executive Board.
Benefits: Powerful networking experience, demonstrates extensive leadership on a CV or resume, learn what it take to put on a successful meeting, interact with other graduate students at the Sectional and National level.
Application process: Nominate yourself or be nominated when the Call for Nominations is sent out i. Qualified candidates will be requested o submit answers to a questionnaire about their qualifications, interest in the position, and goals if elected. A committee selects two finals, which will be voted on in an election open to all ASAS members in the Midwest Section. The newly elected Graduate Director will being his/her term at the completion of the Midwest Sectional meeting.
Western Section ASAS Graduate Director
Responsibilities: Arrange various graduate student activities at the Western Section Meeting, including the Young Scholars Symposium, lunch & learn, student mixer and serve as a voting member on the Western Section Executive Board.
Benefits: Powerful networking experience, demonstrates extensive leadership on a CV or resume, learn what it take to put on a successful meeting, interact with other graduate students at the Sectional and National level.
Application process: Nominate yourself or be nominated when the Call for Nominations is sent out in April or May. Qualified candidates will be requested o submit answers to a questionnaire about their qualifications, interest in the position, and goals if elected. A committee selects two finals, which will be voted on in an election open to all ASAS members in the Western Section. The newly elected Graduate Director will being his/her term at the completion of the Western Sectional meeting.
