The IDS Student Leadership Council: School of Professional Studies

The IDS Student Leadership Council

The Information Design & Strategy Student Leadership Council is a student-led organization that provides opportunities and resources to augment the IDS student experience and advocates for the student body. The IDS Student Leadership Council acts as a liaison with staff and faculty, plans events, keeps students informed on relevant topics, and curates spaces for IDS students to network and support each other. It plays a role in ensuring that IDS graduates and alumni are equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry of information design. All IDS students and alumni are welcome to participate.

MEMBERS FAQs conNECT

Mission Statement

The mission of the IDS Student Leadership Council is to support and enrich IDS students’ academic experience, develop personal and professional communities, and promote and protect inclusion of diverse perspectives.

Vision Statement

Graduates of the Northwestern IDS program will feel a sense of comradery with their classmates and a deep understanding of Information Design in practice.

Let's Connect

Current, former, and prospective students are invited to join our LinkedIn group, or contact us via email. Current IDS students and alumni are also encouraged to join our Facebook Group.

LINKEDIN EMAIL FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM

IDS Student Leadership Council FAQs

Where can I find more information about events and initiatives?

Information about the latest activities and events for the IDS Student Leadership Council can be found in multiple places:

Canvas “MS in Information Design and Strategy” course
SLC LinkedIn Page
Facebook Group (for current and former students)
Instagram

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email idsstudentleadership@u.northwestern.edu.

What is the history of the IDS Student Leadership Council?

The IDS Student Leadership Council was organized for the first time in the winter quarter of 2020–21. The founding members were selected by SPS staff through an application process. Student Leadership Councils exist in other SPS graduate programs, as well.

How can I get involved in the SLC?

Council positions are a two-year commitment and anyone interested in joining the council may apply for available positions when vacancies are announced.

Nonetheless, IDS students are encouraged to play an active role the initiatives of the SLC by participating in community discussions on social media, regularly attending events, checking the Canvas platform for current information about SLC activities, and providing feedback (which can be done via email, social media, or our Canvas discussion board).

What is the application process for the SLC?

Council positions require a one-year commitment and, when a term is set to expire, the position is opened for applications. The application process consists of (1) submission of required materials and (2) an interview process for final candidates. Priority for officer positions is given to current IDS students (with the exception of an Alumni Chair, if instituted) and new officers are selected by the sitting President and Vice President of Operations.

Is the SLC a volunteer-based organization?

Yes, all SLC positions are on a volunteer basis.

What are the roles of each SLC position?

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

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 IDS 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 IDS faculty and students, to propose relevant curricular changes to the SLC and IDS 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

Alumni Chair

Provide insight from previous experience within the program
Propose and develop effective communication process with IDS alums to notify them about events and help them stay connected with the IDS program
Assist with other council needs when other members are absent or positions are vacant; make sure there is council presence at the open council meetings and events

IDS Student Leadership Council Members

Adrian Dennis

PRESIDENT

Adrian Dennis serves as President of the Information Design and Strategy Student Leadership Council at Northwestern University. As an M.S. student in Information Design & Strategy, he is passionate about building a strong, connected community where students can learn from one another, grow professionally, and develop meaningful relationships with industry leaders. He is particularly interested in the intersection of UX, information design, and artificial intelligence, and how emerging technologies can be developed ethically to create experiences that genuinely improve people’s lives.

Professionally, Dennis is a UX/UI Designer at J. J. Keller & Associates, where he designs enterprise SaaS and e-commerce experiences across B2B and B2C products. His work spans the product development process, from user research and usability testing to prototyping, experimentation, and implementation. He enjoys solving complex problems by turning research and data into intuitive, user-centered experiences, with a particular interest in how AI can enhance the design process while keeping people at the center of every decision.

Outside of work and school, Adrian enjoys running along Chicago’s lakefront, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He also coaches middle school track and field with his husband for Chicago Public Schools.

Chandra Rudolph

VICE-PRESIDENT

Photo of Chandra Rudolph Chandra Rudolph is an entrepreneurial and creative leader with more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, business ownership, marketing, and project management. As an Information Design & Strategy student, she brings a unique combination of hands-on business experience, creative problem-solving, and a passion for turning ideas into meaningful experiences. She enjoys bringing ideas to life, whether through building a business, developing a brand, leading a project, or creating connections within a community. Rudolph is passionate about helping others feel seen, supported, and inspired to bring their ideas to life, and she looks forward to using her experience and perspective to help strengthen the student community at the university.

Sarah Hollister

ADVOCACY & ANALYTICS CHAIR

Website: sarahhollisterdesign.com
LinkedIn

Photo of Sarah Hollister Sarah Hollister is a UX/UI designer pursuing her Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy at Northwestern University. She currently works as a UX/UI Designer at TDECU, where she focuses on improving digital experiences through user-centered design, testing, and data.

As the Advocacy & Analytics Chair of the IDS Student Leadership Council, Hollister is especially interested in understanding what students need, identifying opportunities for improvement, and using feedback and data to help shape a stronger IDS experience. Her background also includes more than a decade of coaching figure skating, which has played a big role in how she approaches leadership, communication, and mentorship.

Outside of work and school, Sarah enjoys coaching, doing Pilates, and hanging out with her dog, Ella.

Rodiyat Bagudu

GENERAL COUNCIL CHAIR

Rodiyat Bagudu is a Master’s student in the Information Design & Strategy program, specializing in UI/UX. With an academic background in biology and psychology and professional experience in pharmacy and healthcare operations, Bagudu is interested in the intersection of technology, design, and human behavior. She is particularly passionate about product design and design systems, and how thoughtful digital experiences can make complex healthcare experiences more intuitive and accessible. Outside of IDS, she enjoys exploring art and interior design, staying active, traveling, and volunteering with organizations that align with her values of community, service, and making a meaningful impact.

Rachel Maglione

EVENTS CHAIR

Rachel Maglione is the Events Chair for the Information Design & Strategy Student Leadership Council. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy while also working as a Lead Enrollment Adviser for the IDS program at the School of Professional Studies, where she helps prospective students navigate their educational journeys. With a background in communications, visual design, and event planning, Maglione enjoys creating opportunities that bring people together, encourage collaboration, and foster meaningful connections. She is excited to help build engaging experiences that strengthen the IDS community and connect students with one another throughout their academic journey.

Long-term, Maglione aspires to build a career focused on designing and leading digital experiences that support learners and users throughout their journeys. Whether through UX/UI design, digital experience strategy, or creative leadership, she is committed to creating accessible, engaging, and human-centered solutions that improve how people interact with information and technology within higher education.

Outside of work and the SLC, Rachel enjoys attending live music events in Chicago, reading, exploring creative games like Disney Dream light Valley and The Sims 4. As well as spending time with her cat Penny, who frequently serves as her creative supervisor.

Emily Lapayowker

ALUMNI CHAIR

Emily Lapayowker is pursuing a Master’s in Information Design & Strategy, with a specialization in UX/UI. She is passionate about the ways that digital content and user experience can make the world a more accessible, equitable place. Professionally, she runs the website for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), a public health nonprofit.

In her position as Alum Chair, Lapayowker hopes to help maintain and grow the strong connection between current students and their alumni network. She lives in Baltimore and puts Old Bay on pretty much everything. In her free time, she enjoys travel, live music, and spending time with friends and family.

Luci Cangarova

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR

Luci Cangarova is an Information Design & Strategy student at Northwestern University, specializing in UX/UI, and a full-stack software engineer at a trading firm. She previously earned a master’s degree in Software Engineering from the University of Glasgow. Having studied art throughout middle and high school, she has always had an interest in both technology and creativity, eventually choosing to pursue software engineering.

Cangarova gravitated toward frontend development because she enjoys the visual side of programming and being able to see and refine the results of her work. Through the IDS program, she hopes to build on her technical background and develop her skills in UX/UI design, with the goal of combining software development and design in her future career. As Visual Communications Chair, she looks forward to using her creative skills to help bring people together, strengthen the IDS community, and create more opportunities for students to connect and network.

Originally from Slovakia, Luci spent ten years living in the UK before moving to Chicago. Outside of work and school, she enjoys hiking, visiting art galleries, and doing arts and crafts. Having grown up spending summers in the Slovak mountains, she is still getting used to what counts as hiking in Chicago!

Roger McMinn

FACULTY ADVISOR

Roger McMinn is an Adjunct Lecturer in Northwestern’s IDS program and a Vice President of Marketing for BNY Mellon. McMinn has worked in marketing and communications for more than 25 years for well-known companies like Vanguard, Nuveen, and Nationwide. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Penn State University and an MBA in Marketing from Drexel University. McMinn is also a graduate of the Northwestern IDS program, and has previously taught IDS 403: Effective Communication. McMinn lives outside of Philadelphia, PA, with his wife, three kids, and two dogs.

View Professor McMinn's full bio on the IDS Faculty website.