The ERM Student Leadership Council - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

Upon program launch, information about the latest activities and events for the ERM Student Leadership Council can be found in multiple places:

• Canvas “MS in Enterprise Risk Management” course
• SLC LinkedIn Page
• Facebook Group (for current and former students)
• Instagram

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email (FIX THIS ONCE we have an email) ERMstudentleadership@u.northwestern.edu.

The MS in Enterprise Risk Management Student Leadership Council is being established alongside the launch of the ERM program in Winter 2027. The inaugural council will play a foundational role in shaping the culture, community, and student experience of the program. While Student Leadership Councils exist in other SPS graduate programs, this will be the first council for ERM, offering members a unique opportunity to help define its direction from the start.

Members of the inaugural ERM Student Leadership Council will be selected through an application process announced prior to and during the winter 2027 term. Council appointments for the inaugural cohort will be for a defined term, with details shared as part of the application process.

Even students who are not serving on the council are encouraged to engage with SLC initiatives by participating in program events, contributing to discussions, staying informed through Canvas and program communications, and sharing feedback with council members and program leadership.

The application process for the inaugural ERM Student Leadership Council consists of two stages:

• Council members will be selected in collaboration with ERM program leadership. Eligibility and priority will be given to current ERM students enrolled in the inaugural cohort.
• Details regarding specific roles and responsibilities will be provided at the time applications open.

Yes. All Student Leadership Council positions are volunteer roles. Participation offers leadership experience, professional development, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and success of the ERM program.

At time of degree launch, ERM will begin with three core positions of President, Vice President of Operations, and Events Chair.  As needed, other SLCs often scale up to include other positions, noted below.

President

• Act as central representative of student leadership council
• Determine and communicate council strategy, priorities, and agenda 
• Take the lead in ensuring the continuance of the council from year-to-year, including transition planning and managing access to SLC assets
• Take responsibility of other offices or necessary duties, if assigned offices are unable to fulfill their responsibilities and General Council is unable to assist

Vice President of Operations

• Serve as the lead for SLC operations and project management
• Support President in determining council strategy, priorities, and agenda
• Co-lead the scheduling and execution of board meetings 
• Act as central representative of student leadership council in the absence of the  President 
• Provide logistical assistance with board events 

Events Chair

• Lead and execute event logistics
• Serve as lead manager of Eventbrite or registration system
• Coordinate event announcements and communications with Communications Chair
• Provide event recap write-ups and work with Advocacy and Analytics Chair to assess event KPI’s, as well as propose improvements or ideas for future events

Additional SLC roles include:

Content & Communications Chair

• Manage development and delivery of SLC email announcements, including but not limited to updates, initiatives, and event invitations
• Coordinate with the team to build the communications calendar
• Manage communications with students through all channels
• Manage social media platforms, including development and publishing of social media content
• Coordinate with DEI chair to develop and maintain inclusive messaging and content

Visual Communications Chair

• Create digital and print assets to promote the ERM program, SLC and/or SLC events and initiatives
• Coordinate with Content & Communications Chair and Events Chair to develop all visual content
• Capture and collect documentation and assets related to SLC events and efforts (photographs, videos, and other media)
• Support Content & Communications Chair as needed for social media publishing

Community Engagement Chair

• Coordinate with Content & Communications Chair & Visual Communications Chair on social media platforms and digital/print asset creation
• Develop and maintain engaging messaging and content
• Coordinate with Events Chair to plan engaging events for students
• Work with Advocacy & Analytics Chair to build out student surveys to gauge interest and satisfaction/feedback
• Research community engagement resources

Advocacy and Analytics Chair

• Leads the collection and analysis of data in order to assess the effectiveness of SLC initiatives, as it pertains to fulfilling the SLC mission
• Researches developments in the field of Information Design, in collaboration with ERM faculty and students, to propose relevant curricular changes to the SLC and ERM program
• Collaborates with Events Coordinator and Communications Chair to insure that all events and communications reflect community and serve the SLC mission and student body

General Counsel

• At least one of the two General Counsel members must be in attendance at all council meetings and take minutes
• Assist on basic event logistics, as well as capturing assets for the board to use for communications purposes (video and photography of event attendees and panel speakers) 
• Assist with other council needs when other members are absent or positions are vacant; make sure there’s  council presence at the open council meetings and events