Out of twelve Kent State Board of Trustee members, senior biology major Alex Evans serves as the sole undergraduate student trustee.

“My two years on the board have been incredible,” Evans said. “I’m grateful for having the opportunity to play a role in shaping Kent State’s future. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

Evans is nearing the end of his term this May. Applications to be his replacement are now online at www.kent.edu, and three letters of recommendation must be included.

An undergraduate student trustee attends four regular board meetings, attends university events to represent the board as needed and fulfills the various student trustee requirements per university bylaws.

Students can be nominated by a faculty member or may apply online and must be able to complete a required two-year term.

According to university policy, this applicant must be 18 years old, an Ohio resident and registered to vote. There is a required 2.5 GPA, and the student must be enrolled in eight credit hours to apply and six credit hours from the previous semester must be completed.

Evans said no preference is given to any particular major, and any undergraduate student can apply.

“A good candidate is really involved on campus and has leadership experience,” Evans said. “There’s not necessarily a mold you’re looking for [in an undergraduate student trustee]. I would encourage anybody with a passion for Kent State to apply.”

Greg Jarvie, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, is required to review applicants and nominees. Regional campus students will also be considered.

A committee composed of faculty and undergraduate senate representatives among others selects five candidates to submit for consideration to Governor John Kasich, who makes the final decision. This committee will be chaired by Evans, as he is the outgoing student trustee.

Kasich will make his selection this summer.

“This can take some time depending on how quickly Columbus is moving,” Evans said. “I was appointed in August.”

Applications must be submitted by April 9. The next undergraduate student trustee’s term will end May 16, 2016.

“I can’t think of a more powerful experience for an undergraduate student in terms of professional experience or leadership development,” Evans said. “You get out of [being a student trustee] what you put into it.”

Contact Jimmy Miller at [email protected].