Student
Representative
Introduction:
AGHE membership is institutional rather than individual, as a result, one person from each AGHE member institution is selected as the official representative to AGHE – this person is referred to as the Institutional Representative – a position that is represented by a professional from the member institution. Each member institution may select an AGHE Student Representative. The Member Institution Student Representative will act in the capacity of representative of the students and assist with communication between the Institutional Representative, the faculty, and AGHE. The process and responsibilities for student representatives are as follows:
Choosing an AGHE Student Representative:
The Institutional Representative at each AGHE member institution should confer with his/her AGHE alternate and support representatives, and colleagues at the institution to determine a list of students who have the ability to fulfill the role of an AGHE Student Representative. Once the list of eligible students have been identified, the AGHE Institution may determine how best to choose a student to represent its student population who are interested in and working with aging studies. Once chosen, the student’s name and pertinent contact information should be relayed to the AGHE office.
The Student Representative has the following responsibilities:
- Confers with the Institutional Representative and alternative representatives regarding gerontological/geriatric education and programs at the member institution.
- Communicates with and acts on behalf of the students at the member Institution that are involved in aging related studies or have an interest in aging.
- Assists the Institutional Representative with selecting additional persons from the member institution to serve in the capacity as Alternative Representative, Public Policy Representative, or Support Representatives (see additional information provided), to ensure broad based institutional communication and distribution of AGHE related information.
- Ensures distribution of AGHE materials and educational information to the students at the Member Institution.
- Assists the Institutional Representative with making AGHE more visible at the Member Institution.
- Publicize AGHE resources, activities, and benefits through appropriate communications, such as newsletters, e-mail announcements, or bulletin boards to the students within the member institution.
- i. Communicate deadline for abstracts, awards, etc.
- ii. Possibly conduct a brief presentation (to the appropriate audience) about AGHE and the benefits of involvement.
- Encourage students in one’s institution to attend the AGHE Annual Meeting.
- Encourage students to become involved with AGHE.
- Considers AGHE Committee involvement and participation to assist in ensuring that AGHE meets the needs of students at the member institution - advancing gerontology/geriatric education in higher education
- Further publicize relevant opportunities for students, including encouraging students who submit papers for the AGHE Annual Meeting to apply for student paper awards.
- Coordinates with the AGHE Executive Board Student Representative to ensure up to date information that affects students at the AGHE member institution.
- Attends the AGHE Annual Meeting/Conference when possible a. If present at the AGHE Annual Meeting, attend relevant functions (e.g., Institutional Representative breakfast, Student Committee meeting).
Note: Funding is not currently available from AGHE to support the attendance of Student Representatives to the AGHE Annual Meeting, however attendance at the Annual Meeting is highly encouraged and the AGHE Annual Meeting presents many opportunities to enhance student’s learning and professional development. Student involvement within AGHE also serves to further benefit the Member Institution, therefore students should inquire at their institution if full or partial funding can be obtained to attend the AGHE Annual Meeting. It’s the student’s responsibility to identify and pursue potential funding mechanisms for Annual Meeting attendance.
