The IDS Student Leadership Council - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

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.

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.

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).

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.

Yes, all SLC positions are on a volunteer basis.

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