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"H:\Membership\ASF\Membership - ASF Proposals\Graduate Student Leadership Conference - 2025 ASF Proposal_updated Sept.docx”

Graduate Student Leadership Conference - 2025 ASF Proposal_updated Sept.docx

Graduate Student Leadership Conference (GSLC)

Graduate Student Subcommittee:

Tina Sullivan (Chair), Ana Morales Ona, Sujata Bogati, Pabitra, Joshi, Julia Barra Netto-Ferreria, Ayush K. Sharma

Executive summary

• The Graduate Student Leadership Conference is an excellent opportunity to address the Societies’ objectives of workforce development and diversifying our membership while, at the same time, raising the profile of the Agronomic Science Foundation.
• The updated conference will target all ASA, CSSA, and SSSA graduate students with a specially tailored four-part webinar/workshop series, followed by a dynamic in-person networking event made available for participants who meet the workshop attendance requirements.

<aside> ⚡ We expect that updating and revamping the GSLC will:

• Increase the reach of previously limited soft-skill workshops and workforce development webinars to all ASA, CSSA, and SSSA graduate students through a virtual format
• Capitalize on the most-loved aspects of previous GSLC events: namely, in-person networking, interactive events, and connection building.
• Create an outlet for current ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Graduate Student Members to help create specific, tailored, interactive programming for their needs.
• Provide specific benefits for graduate students and increase the number of graduate student members of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA by offering tailored member benefits
• Raise the profile of the Agronomic Science Foundation through support of this program. </aside>

Program proposal summary:

• Series of four webinars geard specifically to Graduate Student Members of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA
  • Participation in three out of four webinars will render a grad student member eligible to apply for the Graduate Student Leadership Conference
  • Webinars will also require registration and be free to current Graduate Student Members. A $50 registration fee for nonmembers will encourage registration and diversify our graduate student membership.
• Graduate Student Leadership Conference
  • A one-day program at the Annual Meeting focused on interactive workshops, networking, and increasing connectivity between graduate students.
  • Overall goal: Provide an opportunity for graduate students to develop their skills to succeed in the workforce and create lasting connections with a robust graduate student network that lasts throughout their careers.
• Badging:
  • Students who successfully complete the webinar series and attend the Graduate Student Leadership Conference will be issued a digital badge and certificate.
  • This badge will be shareable on social media, providing a verifiable credential for participants and elevating the profile of the program externally.

Funding request summary:

Overall: $20,000 per year to support the program

• $30,000 for series of four webinars, valued at $7,500 each (speaker stipend, staff time, and technology)
• $20,000 for an in-person Graduate Student Leadership Conference at the Annual Meeting and digital credentials for participants.

Background and rationale

Background:

In the past, the GSLC limited participation to a group of 50-75 graduate students for a two-day workshop at the Annual Meeting

• The program traditionally focused on soft skills and conflict resolution
• The GSLC has not had a consistent funding source or ties to the Societies’ strategic objectives
• Students surfaced concerns that the program was too classroom based and not interactive
• Students also want to broaden the reach and impact of graduate student programming beyond 50-75 graduate students who are able to attend the Annual Meeting

Feedback from grad student leadership and past participants:

• Most appreciated networking and connections made during the conference
• They did not necessarily enjoy two full “classroom” days in conference rooms - they would like more dynamic experiences
• Students wish to see opportunities expanded beyond the limit of 50-75 participants
• Participants appreciated soft skill development, but thought the focus on conflict-resolution was limiting and would like to see more emphasis on other skills