Your ASHE Service & Leadership Journey

Everything ASHE does is powered by members like you—sharing ideas, shaping programs, and moving the field forward. Whether you are just beginning your research career or are a seasoned leader in the field, there is a place for you to lead, learn, and connect. Our scholarly community thrives when we each dedicate our time and expertise to its growth.

A list of current committees, their descriptions, and their current members can be found here.

Service in our scholarly community is a career-long pathway of increasing impact. Whether you are looking for a short-term project or a multi-year governance role, there is a place for your voice to shape the future of higher education scholarship.

• Graduate Student Service & Leadership: Build your professional foundation by co-creating the association’s future alongside peers and mentors.

• Foundational Service & Leadership: Move from participation to action by helping execute the core programs and policies that sustain our scholarly home.

• Engaged Service & Leadership: Step into leadership by managing teams, chairing committees, and mentoring the next generation of ASHE volunteers.

• Visionary Service & Leadership: Dedicate your experience to the long-term governance, ethics, and sustainability of the association and the field at large.

To help you balance service with your professional life, we offer multiple ways to engage:

• Micro-Volunteering: High-impact, short-term tasks (like session chairing or proposal reviewing) that fit into a busy semester.

• Seasonal Volunteering: Focused "sprints" for a few months of the year, such as serving on the Program Committee or an Award Selection Committee.

• Standing Committees: Year-round roles focused on specific association functions like Ethics, Awards, or IEOD.

• Leadership Teams: Elected and appointed positions for those ready to lead entities, editorial boards, or the Association’s Board of Directors.

Graduate Student Service & Leadership

Your perspective as a graduate student is a vital asset to our community. These roles are designed for those looking to build deep professional connections while gaining an inside look at how our scholarly association thrives. By stepping into these positions, you aren't just volunteering—you are representing the next generation of scholars and co-creating the future of ASHE.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Session Chairs: Facilitate live dialogue and provide critical feedback during conference sessions. Commitment: ~5 hours leading up to and during the conference. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Proposal Reviewers: Help curate the research featured at our annual conference. Commitment: ~5–10 hours in late spring/early summer. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Standing Committee Membership:  Share your voice where it matters most. We reserve graduate-specific seats on our core committees to ensure our programs and policies are shaped by the emerging leaders of our field. An open application process occurs every Fall. Time commitment varies between committees.

  Committees with Graduate Student Roles

  • Advancement & Fundraising: Implement strategies to secure the Association’s financial growth and advancement.

  • Awards: Recruit nominees and provide final recommendations for Association-wide awards.

  • Ethics: Uphold Ethics Policies, implement related standards, and report on ethics work to the membership.

  • Fellows: Lead the recruitment and final selection process for ASHE Fellows.

  • Grants: Manage the ASHE Grants Policy and coordinate funding efforts with entity-level committees.

  • IEOD (Inclusion, Equity, and Organizational Diversity): Direct the Association’s IEOD Statement and Commitments, integrate standards into policy, and report progress to the membership.

  • Nominations and Elections: Lead the nominations process and coordinate with entity groups to ensure representative elections.

  • Outstanding Book Award: Manage the recruitment and selection process for the field's Outstanding Book Award.

  • Position Taking: Manage the implementation of the Association’s policy regarding public statements and advocacy.

  • Professional Development: Advance member learning by setting the vision for professional development events and supporting event chairs.

  • Publications: Drive the strategic vision for all publications, oversee editors, and maintain publication policies.

  • Scholarship: Oversee the implementation and integrity of the Association’s Scholarship Policy.

  • Site Selection: Recommend locations and venues for future annual conferences.

• Conference Committee Membership: The ASHE Annual Conference is more than an event; it is a vital site for scholarly exchange, community building, and the advancement of the field. The Conference Committee serves as the primary architect of this experience, weaving together rigorous research, local engagement, and inclusive networking. By joining this committee, you help transform a geographical location into a meaningful space where scholars at every career stage can connect, challenge one another, and grow.

  Conference Committees

  • Attendee Engagement Committee: Serve as an ambassador for the Association by creating resources and opportunities that help attendees connect. From supporting first-time participants to engaging long-time returners, you help foster the inclusive community that defines our annual gathering. Commitment: ~3 hours monthly. An open application process occurs every Fall.
  • Local and Community Engagement Committee (LCEC): Guide ASHE in centering Indigeneity, space, and place. By engaging with local Indigenous and BIPOC communities and institutions, you help attendees meaningfuly connect with the history and people of our conference location.  Commitment: ~3 hours monthly. An open application process occurs every Fall.
  • Program Committee: Shape the core of our annual meeting by crafting the peer-reviewed program. You will drive the call for submissions and facilitate the review process, ensuring a rigorous and representative selection of scholarship for the field. Commitment: ~2 hours in December-April, ~10 hours in late April & early May for reviewer assignments; ~20 hours in June for final decisions. An open application process occurs every Fall.

• Entity Standing Committee Membership: Support specialized initiatives in awards, nominations, or program planning. Reach out to Entity Chairs directly to find your fit. An open application process occurs every Fall. Time commitment varies between committees.

   Entity Standing Committees

• Graduate Student Network (GSN): Join a dedicated team of appointed and elected peers who foster community and professional growth among graduate students across the association. An open application process occurs every Fall. Time commitment varies between committees.

• Graduate Student Board Member: Take your place at the highest level of association leadership. Each year, one student is elected to a two-year term on the ASHE Board of Directors, serving as a primary advocate and visionary for the graduate student community. An open nomination process occurs every Spring and elections occur over the summer. Time commitment is 4-6 hours per month.

• Professional Development Planning Teams: Design and implement specialized workshops, webinars, and institutes. In this role, you act as a curator of knowledge, helping to build the professional scaffolding that supports the continuous growth and scholarly rigor of our members. Opportunities and time commitment vary. To express your interest, please reach out to the Event Chair or ASHE Director for Conference and Professional Development Alicia Castillo Shrestha at alicia@ashe.ws.

Foundational Service & Leadership

For members who have been part of our community for a year or more, these roles offer a path to take a more active role in guiding ASHE’s programs and strategic focus areas. By moving into foundational leadership, you help translate our association’s values into the daily work that sustains our field.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Session Chairs: Facilitate live dialogue and provide critical feedback during conference sessions. Commitment: ~5 hours leading up to and during the conference. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Proposal Reviewers: Help curate the research featured at our annual conference. Commitment: ~5–10 hours in late spring/early summer. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Standing Committee Membership: Step into a role that helps implement ASHE’s core policies. Whether you are helping steward research grants or recognizing significant contributions to the field through awards, your work ensures the association remains a stable and supportive home for all scholars. An open application process occurs every Fall. Time commitment varies between committees.

  Standing Committees

  • Advancement & Fundraising: Implement strategies to secure the Association’s financial growth and advancement.

  • Awards: Recruit nominees and provide final recommendations for Association-wide awards.

  • Bobby Wright Dissertation of the Year: Oversee the recruitment and final recommendations for the premier dissertation award.

  • Ethics: Uphold Ethics Policies, implement related standards, and report on ethics work to the membership.

  • Fellows: Lead the recruitment and final selection process for ASHE Fellows.

  • Grants: Manage the ASHE Grants Policy and coordinate funding efforts with entity-level committees.

  • IEOD (Inclusion, Equity, and Organizational Diversity): Direct the Association’s IEOD Statement and Commitments, integrate standards into policy, and report progress to the membership.

  • Nominations and Elections: Lead the nominations process and coordinate with entity groups to ensure representative elections.

  • Outstanding Book Award: Manage the recruitment and selection process for the field's Outstanding Book Award.

  • Position Taking: Manage the implementation of the Association’s policy regarding public statements and advocacy.

  • Professional Development: Advance member learning by setting the vision for professional development events and supporting event chairs.

  • Publications: Drive the strategic vision for all publications, oversee editors, and maintain publication policies.

  • Scholarship: Oversee the implementation and integrity of the Association’s Scholarship Policy.

  • Site Selection: Recommend locations and venues for future annual conferences.

• Conference Committee Membership: The ASHE Annual Conference is more than an event; it is a vital site for scholarly exchange, community building, and the advancement of the field. The Conference Committee serves as the primary architect of this experience, weaving together rigorous research, local engagement, and inclusive networking. By joining this committee, you help transform a geographical location into a meaningful space where scholars at every career stage can connect, challenge one another, and grow.

  Conference Committees

  • Attendee Engagement Committee: Serve as an ambassador for the Association by creating resources and opportunities that help attendees connect. From supporting first-time participants to engaging long-time returners, you help foster the inclusive community that defines our annual gathering. Commitment: ~3 hours monthly. An open application process occurs every Fall.
  • Local and Community Engagement Committee (LCEC): Guide ASHE in centering Indigeneity, space, and place. By engaging with local Indigenous and BIPOC communities and institutions, you help attendees meaningfuly connect with the history and people of our conference location.  Commitment: ~3 hours monthly. An open application process occurs every Fall.
  • Program Committee: Shape the core of our annual meeting by crafting the peer-reviewed program. You will drive the call for submissions and facilitate the review process, ensuring a rigorous and representative selection of scholarship for the field. Commitment: ~2 hours in December-April, ~10 hours in late April & early May for reviewer assignments; ~20 hours in June for final decisions. An open application process occurs every Fall.

• Entity Standing Committee Membership: Support specialized initiatives within our various ASHE Entities. From shaping entity-specific awards to refining program planning, these roles allow you to focus your expertise on the scholarly identities and policy areas you care about most. We encourage you to reach out to Entity Chairs directly to find a leadership fit that aligns with your passions. An open application process occurs every Fall. Time commitment varies between committees. 

  Entity Standing Committees

  Entity	Awards Committee	Nominations Committee	Pre-Conference Committee
  ASHE Faculty Affairs Network (AFAN)	N/A	Service opportunities available	N/A
  Council on Athletics in Higher Education (CAHE)	N/A	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available
  Council for the Advancement of Higher Education Programs (CAHEP)	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available	N/A
  CEP- Council for Racial Equity, Praxis, and  Presence	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available
  Council on International Higher Education (CIHE)	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available
  CPPHE- Council on Public Policy in Higher Education (CPPHE)	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available	Service opportunities available
  Council on Undocumented Immigrants in Higher Education (CUIHE)	N/A	Service opportunities available	N/A
  Graduate Student Network (GSN)	N/A	Service Opportunities available	N/A
  Scholar-Practitioner Network (SPN)	N/A	N/A	N/A

• Manuscript Reviewers: Provide peer review for The Review of Higher Education to ensure the excellence of our field's literature.

• Professional Development Planning Teams: Design and implement specialized workshops, webinars, and institutes. In this role, you act as a curator of knowledge, helping to build the professional scaffolding that supports the continuous growth and scholarly rigor of our members. Opportunities and time commitment vary. To express your interest, please reach out to the Event Chair or ASHE Director for Conference and Professional Development Alicia Castillo Shrestha at alicia@ashe.ws.

Engaged Service & Leadership

For established members—those who have moved beyond initial participation to become stewards of our scholarly community—these roles offer a platform to lead teams and shape the strategic vision of specific ASHE programs.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Session Chairs: Facilitate live dialogue and provide critical feedback during conference sessions. Commitment: ~5 hours leading up to and during the conference. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Proposal Reviewers: Help curate the research featured at our annual conference. Commitment: ~5–10 hours in late spring/early summer. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Session Discussants: Facilitate live dialogue and provide critical feedback during conference sessions. Commitment: ~5 hours leading up to and during the conference. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Committee Chairs: Lead a standing committee to ensure continuity and drive the implementation of ASHE’s strategic goals. As a Chair, you mentor fellow volunteers and turn our collective values into tangible organizational progress. An open application process occurs every Fall. Time commitment varies between committees.

• Conference Committee Chairs: Serve as a strategic leader for the annual conference by co-chairing the Attendee Engagement, Local and Community Engagement (LCEC), or Program committees. In these roles, you guide a team to curate rigorous scholarship and foster inclusive spaces that center Indigeneity, community connection, and professional belonging. Commitment: ~5-8 hours per month. These roles are identified and appointed by the President Elect for their year as President.

• Elected Entity Leadership Teams Member: Step into elected roles that allow you to focus on specific scholarly identities or policy areas. These positions empower you to advocate for the unique needs of your community while contributing to the overall health of the association. An open nomination process occurs every Spring and elections occur over the summer. Time commitment varies between entities.

• RHE Editorial Board Member: Translate your experience as a reviewer into a three-year term on the Editorial Board. Here, you will help set the scholarly standards for the field, ensuring The Review of Higher Education continues to publish work of the highest integrity and significance.

• Professional Development Event Chair: Lead the strategic design and implementation of specialized workshops, webinars, or institutes. In this role, you serve as a visionary steward, guiding a team to build the professional scaffolding that supports the continuous growth and scholarly rigor of our members. Opportunities and time commitment vary. To express your interest, please reach out to the Event Chair or ASHE Director for Conference and Professional Development Alicia Castillo Shrestha at alicia@ashe.ws.

• Professional Development Panelist or Facilitator: Share your expertise by leading discussions or presenting in specialized workshops and webinars. In this role, you foster direct connection and growth, translating complex research into actionable insights for the ASHE community. Opportunities and time commitment vary. To express your interest, please reach out to the Event Chair or ASHE Director for Conference and Professional Development Alicia Castillo Shrestha at alicia@ashe.ws.

Visionary Service & Leadership

For leaders who have dedicated years of service to our community, these roles represent a profound commitment to the long-term governance, ethics, and sustainability of ASHE. In these positions, you move beyond program management to provide the strategic stewardship that ensures our association remains a vital and enduring home for the study of higher education.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Session Chairs: Facilitate live dialogue and provide critical feedback during conference sessions. Commitment: ~5 hours leading up to and during the conference. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Conference Proposal Reviewers: Help curate the research featured at our annual conference. Commitment: ~5–10 hours in late spring/early summer. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Micro-Volunteering Opportunity Session Discussants: Facilitate live dialogue and provide critical feedback during conference sessions. Commitment: ~5 hours leading up to and during the conference. An open application process occurs every spring.

• Board of Directors Member-at-Large: Take responsibility for the future trajectory of ASHE. In this two-year elected role, you work to ensure the association’s governance remains transparent, equitable, and responsive to the evolving needs of our field. An open nomination process occurs every Spring and elections occur over the summer. Time commitment is 4-6 hours per month.

• Board of Directors President: Lead the association and the field forward through a three-year visionary term. As you move through the roles of President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President, you provide the steady leadership and strategic focus that drives our collective progress. An open nomination process occurs every Spring and elections occur over the summer. Time commitment is 10-20 hours per month.

• RHE Editor: Shape the scholarly standard of the field as an Editor or Associate Editor for The Review of Higher Education. Typically following service on the Editorial Board, these leaders provide the high-level guidance necessary to maintain the rigor and integrity of our flagship journal. The Editors of RHE serve a term set by the Board (usually five years) and an open call for applications opens when the position is available.