The Student Associates program is a high-impact educational opportunity for outstanding students to assist the Center for the Study of American Democracy with substantive projects. Associates interact with distinguished speakers and learn and practice professional skills useful in political and civic life. CSAD Associates constitute the student advisory committee for the Center, helping our programs reach a broad range of Kenyon students. They also serve as ambassadors to the student community, promoting and encouraging participation in the Center’s programs.
CSAD selects Associates in a competitive application and interview process. Associates will work in-person and remotely, as a team and in pairs. Accepting the position is a commitment for both fall and spring semesters.
CSAD’s programs are always evolving and responsive to current issues, and the COVID19 pandemic demands innovations and flexibility. That said, we expect in 2020-21 to engage Associates in four kinds of activities each month:
CSAD accomplishes its work with a staff of three: Professor David Rowe, the Director of CSAD; Assistant Professor Nancy Powers, Assistant Director; and Ms. Andrea Lechleitner, Administrative Assistant. Professor Powers oversees the Associates Program and works most closely with the students, but associates may be called upon to assist any member of CSAD’s staff.
We seek a team of many political viewpoints and campus affiliations to serve as CSAD’s student advisors and ambassadors and to help CSAD carry out its mission. Students with sophomore standing or higher, of any major, are welcome and encouraged to apply. Past applicants are encouraged to re-apply.
Well-qualified applicants will have a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher; excellent communication and research skills; curiosity; an open mind; an energetic work ethic, a demonstrated interest in public affairs (broadly defined), and a strong commitment to liberal democratic principles.
As well, we seek Associates who have the highest standards of personal responsibility and integrity and who enjoy working on a team. Associates should be realistic about their academic course load, employment, and extra-curricular activities and be willing and able to dedicate 3-5 hours every week to Associate activities.
CSAD is a nonprofit organization established for rigorous analysis of democracy in theory and practice. We seek Associates with open minds, who want to deepen their understanding of the political world. Associates must put aside partisan or ideological commitments while engaged in any CSAD project and must avoid even the appearance of promoting their personal political goals while doing CSAD projects.
The 2020-21 CSAD Associates Application form includes biographical questions, the names of two references, and space for a 400-word essay on your motivation for becoming an Associate. The essay does double-duty as a sample of your writing skills. The application collects the information we need that might usually be on a resume. The deadline is September 7, 2020 at 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.
CSAD’s Director, Assistant Director, and Administrative Assistant will review applications upon submission, check with references as needed, and then select semi-finalists whom they will interview (for about 15 minutes, via Google Meet). We hope to conclude the process by mid-September.
Write or call CSAD Assistant Director Nancy Powers with any questions.