The MSDS Student Leadership Council - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

1. The MSDS Student Leadership Council was approved and established in fall of 2019 and the inaugural members were selected for the first term (2020–21). Students and alumni are informed of the application and selection process in the fall of each year. The roles are staggered, so every year there are positions that need to be filled.
2. The selection process includes the following:
     • Application
     • Statement of Purpose
     • Résumé
     • Interview with Faculty Advisor, Administrator Advisor and SLC Members
3. A rubric is used to assess each applicant and includes behavioral questions and questions about leadership experience.

Vision Statement: Graduates of Northwestern’s Master of Science in Data Science will feel a sense of comradery with their classmates and a deep understanding of the Data Science field in practice.

Mission Statement: The MSDS Student Leadership Council strives to serve the program by broadening awareness of Data Science in practice and building a sense of community in the graduate program.

SLC aims to achieve its mission and vision by conducting events and projects. Some past projects include:

• Career Data Science Events
• Data Science Case Study Events
• Establishing a communication and relationship management platform
• Engaging alumni and students through activities (e.g.: MSDS t-shirt campaign, etc.)

Yes, these are student and alumni volunteers. Each member is committed to a two-year term per the role and responsibility.

At a high-level, each SLC member is responsible for the following:

• Serving their role for a two-year term, regardless of the graduation status.  
• Members must attend regular meetings as determined by the SLC and a SLC meeting with Faculty Advisors and Administrator Advisors on a monthly basis.
• Each member must be responsible for tasks, activities and projects that is pertinent to their overall responsibility, in addition to supporting SLC as needed.

President

• Central representative of SLC
• Determines SLC priorities with input from members
• Delegate tasks to SLC members and follow up
• Ensure continuation of SLC for following years
• Be present for all events
• Ensure all tasks for events and initiatives are completed

Vice President

• Lead the scheduling and execution of SLC meetings
• Provide logistical assistance
• Assist President with following up on member tasks
• Act in place of President when needed
• Keep minutes from all meetings

Communications Chair

• Ensure event information is distributed through the CRM application
• Aide in managing and promoting activities on various social media platforms
• Manage the database and ensure its accuracy

Event Coordinator Chair

• Lead coordination of events including contacting presenters
• Provide logistical assistance and ensure tasks for events are completed
• Act as host at events

Finance Chair

• Track all expenses and keep SLC informed
• Work directly with vendors on purchase orders or events
• Make sure to collect invoices for payment

Alumni Chair

• Manage contact of alumni and capture active students when they are completing the program
• Ensure alumni are involved and participate in various SLC events and projects
• Act as contact for alumni that want to become involved

In addition to adhering to their specific responsibilities, each SLC member must sign the University established bylaws that covers items such as, non-discriminatory policies, decorum, and etc.

The best way to contact SLC is to complete the contact form via the MSDS SLC webpage on the School of Professional Studies (SPS) website.

No. However, students are entered into drawings where they are eligible to receive MSDS SLC merchandise when they register for and attend program events.

• In an effort to engage and grow the alumni community, we ask for general information (e.g.: name, phone, email, professional information, etc.) prior to graduation. This allows SLC to contact alumni and keep them informed of events and activities after their graduation. Most alumni do not keep their Northwestern email address active so it is difficult to connect with them after the program.
• SLC adheres to the School of Professional Studies privacy policy.