The WashU Board of Trustees recognizes the significance of having the participation of the university’s undergraduate and graduate students in the governance process in a way that student experience, views, interest, and concerns can be effectively communicated to the Board.

Applications are accepted each spring for the two positions for non-voting undergraduate student representatives to the WashU Board of Trustees. The Undergraduate Representative position provides a distinctive and significant opportunity for direct student participation in the governance of the university. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs facilitates the annual selection process for new undergraduate student representatives to the WashU Board of Trustees. Representatives are appointed to a one-year term and actively participate in meetings and other board-related events.

Applications are now open!

Qualifications
  • Students must be enrolled in, regularly attending, and complete at least twelve (12) undergraduate credit hours for the semester in which they are an applicant, as well as during their one-year term as an Undergraduate Representative.
  • Only students with junior or senior year status are eligible to serve as a student representative.  Having had at least two full years of college experience has proven to be critical for students to be effective in this role.  That means current first year students are not eligible to apply.
  • Students must be able to complete a full year (fall and spring semesters) as a full time enrolled student during their term.
  • In person attendance at board meetings is required. Therefore, students planning to study abroad during the 2025-2026 academic year are not eligible. Note: students currently studying abroad are eligible to apply and will be interviewed virtually instead of in person.
  • Applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at WashU, as determined by the student’s academic unit, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, prior to and throughout the duration of their appointment as an undergraduate representative to the board of trustees.

    In general, it is important the student representative have knowledge of the undergraduate experience at WashU, be able to present a variety of opinions, have sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and hold the respect of peers, faculty, and of others in the community. The student representative should also be willing to maintain close communication with the undergraduate community.
Other Representatives to the Board of Trustees

There are also two graduate students, two faculty and two alumni representatives.

Responsibilities of the Undergraduate Student Representatives to the Board
  • Attendance and participation in the four (4) quarterly meetings of the Board and all special meetings as needed each year.
  • Preparation for the meetings by reading prepared material with care so that they can discuss, modify, and make recommendations on proposed resolutions.
  • Meet as requested with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or their designee.
  • When appropriate, express to the Board your own views on issues and, if possible, represent the views of other students.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Serve as a liaison to keep channels of communication open between the Chancellor and students.
  • The new term of the Undergraduate Student Representative will begin at the October Board Meeting and shall end at the next May Board Meeting.
  • Note: Students chosen to be Undergraduate Representatives to the Board of Trustees will receive the meeting dates for the upcoming academic year. However, the board normally meets quarterly in October, December, March and May.
Undergraduate Representative Selection Committee

Rob Wild, PhD
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Chair

Kristy Guffey
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Chief of Staff

Nicole Gore
Associate Dean for Student Conduct and Community Standards

Danny Pape
Executive Director, Center for Career Engagement

Mark Kamimura-Jimenez, PhD
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Dean for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Current Student Representatives, as well as several other student volunteers, participate in the section process. The Committee will provide an overview of candidates to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, who will recommend four finalists to the Office of the Board of Trustees. From that pool of four, two will be selected by the Board to serve as student representatives.

Application Process

Complete all sections of your portion of the online application and submit by the March 21, 2025 deadline. Keep in mind, all materials are due by the deadline. You will be required to complete your part of the application in one sitting; you cannot save and come back to it.

Applicants are required to submit a one page resume, three short essays (250 words or less) pertaining to three questions, and submit two recommendations. Your recommendations can be from a staff or faculty member or another student of the WashU community. You should select recommenders who are familiar with your academic record and leadership activities. Members of the Undergraduate Selection Committee are not eligible to write recommendations.

It is your responsibility to check that your application file is complete. You may contact Rae Price to request this information. Your file should contain the completed online application form, your one-page resume, your essay responses and your recommenders plus letters of recommendation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Selected candidates will interview with the selection committee between March 27 and April 2, and finalists will have a 30 minute interview with a member of the Board of Trustees during the afternoon of Friday, April 11.

Please direct questions to Rae Price.

Complete the application