The Midwest Slavic Association (MWSA) invites nominations for the positions of president, vice-president, and graduate student representative with all terms set to begin in June 2025.

Those interested can self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague or faculty member who is a current member of MWSA (defined as those who were attendees or participants of the 2024 Midwest Slavic Conference or MWSC). The current officers will then review all nominations and select two to stand as candidates. The two candidates’ names will be placed on the MWSA officer election ballot to be voted on by all current MWSA members.

Details on the overview of each position and term lengths can be found below. However, those interested are STRONGLY advised to read through the MWSA bylaws prior to submitting a nomination. 

Position Descriptions

President

• The president is a faculty member from any college or university in the region. In order to serve in this position, they must remain at the same institution for the full duration of their term (four years) as officer in MWSA. As president, the faculty member agrees to serve on the MWSC committee, attend the conference, convene an annual member meeting during the conference, and represent the association as needed. This includes serving as the representative to ASEEES for the Council of Regional Affiliates, whose members serve in rotation on the ASEEES Board of Directors. The president will work with the vice-president to oversee the MWSA’s graduate and undergraduate student essay competitions.
• Presidents serve a term of four-years and can serve multiple terms.

Vice-President

• The vice-president of the Midwest Slavic Association is a faculty member from any college or university in the region. In order to serve in this position, they must remain at the same institution for the full duration of their term (four years) as officer in MWSA. The vice-president agrees to serve on the MWSC committee, assists the president in leading an annual meeting as part of the Midwest Slavic Conference, fills in during a leave of absence of the president. The vice-president will work with the president to oversee the MWSA’s graduate and undergraduate student essay competitions.
• Vice-presidents serve on a four-year term and can serve multiple terms.

Graduate Student Representative

• The graduate student representative of the Midwest Slavic Association is a current MA or PhD student from any college or university in the Midwest. The student representative agrees to serve on the MWSC committee, assist with the advertisement of the annual essay competitions, and propose ideas for keynote and/or plenary panel speakers.
• The graduate student representative serves a two-year term and is advised to only serve one term.

When you are ready to nominate, please submit:

• A short statement (100-150 words) that includes a brief academic biography, a list of relevant activities and contributions, and reasons why you are interested in serving as a MWSA officer
• Current curriculum vitae
• Those wishing to submit a self-nomination for graduate student representative must also include the contact information of their advisor or department chair as senior leadership of MWSA may wish to contact them. Otherwise, we encourage advisors or department chairs to submit nominations for the position of graduate student representative. 

Nominations are now closed.

All materials should be submitted through the nomination form by Friday, January 31, 2025. Those selected to be on the ballot will be notified by Friday, February 29, 2025. Voting will begin on Monday, March 3, 2025, and the new officers will be announced at the 2025 Midwest Slavic Conference’s opening reception on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Inquiries should be sent to Alicia Baca at baca.31@osu.edu.