Board of Trustees Graduate Student Representative

The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) in even years searches for a graduate student representative to the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Board of Trustees. As one of two student trustees, the graduate student trustee is charged with representing the BGSU graduate student body concerns to the Board and working in unison with the undergraduate trustee on behalf of all BGSU students. The Graduate Student Trustee furthermore has the obligation to advance the mission of GSS through participation and attendance in GSS General Assembly, the GSS executive committee, and GSS-sponsored events.

Applications for the 2026-2028 position are extended until  Friday , February 20, 2026 at 11:59pm. 

Description of Position

The Board of Trustees (BoT) is the highest governing body for BGSU. The board is comprised of twelve professionals whose ties to the university range from alumni to distinguished friends of the university, as well as one undergraduate and one graduate student. The position of Graduate Student Trustee is open to any graduate student at BGSU who is a registered voter and a resident of the State of Ohio. In addition, applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0, be registered for at least one credit, and be in good standing with the University both financially and academically. If selected by the Governor, the Student Trustee shall serve for a two-year term during which the Student Trustee is expected to represent the interests of BGSU graduate students within the context of the university and the state of Ohio. The Student Trustee is also expected to remain informed on current issues and concerns of students, faculty, staff, the Bowling Green Community, and current events in higher education in Ohio. Although the Student Trustee is a non-voting position, the Trustee will be called on regularly and expected to convey the interests of the graduate student body to the Board in a thoughtful, assertive, and effective manner. The Student Trustee will be responsible for attending all Board of Trustee meetings as well as representing the University at a number of conferences and events.

*The Student Trustee must be able to attend all BoT meeting. Upcoming meetings are listed here. 

Mission of the Graduate Student Senate

To advance the well-being, success, and representation of all BGSU graduate students through collaborative advocacy, meaningful partnerships, and innovative structures. To strengthen connections across campus, fostering a supportive community that promotes development, shared governance, and policies that benefit graduate students. To ensure the creation of platforms for leadership, mentorship, and academic excellence. To engage in continuous organizational learning and action.

Qualifications:

GSS has the responsibility to solicit and nominate qualified individuals from the graduate student body to the Governor for the University’s Board of Trustees. Applicants must meet the following qualifications throughout the entire time (2 years) of the position.

1. Applicant must be officially enrolled in at least one credit as constituted by BGSU, and
2. Applicant must be a registered voter and resident of Ohio, and
3. Applicant must maintain an academic cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0, and
4. Applicant must be in good standing with the University’s Office of the Bursar, and
5. Applicant must meet all application requirements set forth by the Graduate Student Board of Trustees Selection Committee
6. A graduating undergraduate student, who plans to continue at BGSU as a graduate student for a minimum of two consecutive years, and who has been actively enrolled in undergraduate classes at BGSU, is eligible to apply under the following conditions:
   • Applicant must meet all criteria for a graduate student application, except the graduate grade-point average, and
   • The applicant should have a proven record of leadership and involvement in the BGSU community.  This record will be substantiated through a letter of recommendation from at least one advisor who has worked with the student in a leadership capacity outside of the classroom or academic assignments, and
   • Applicant must demonstrate familiarity with graduate student issues, and
   • Applicant must submit an original letter if acceptance from the Graduate College/program at BGSU, and
   • Applicant must submit an official transcript from BGSU at the time of application and must have earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0, and
   • Applicant must submit a letter of enrollment verification of graduate students within two weeks of the first semester of graduate enrollment to the GSS Office Secretary, and
   • When the first academic semester of graduate work is completed, the applicant must submit an official transcript to the GSS Office Secretary stating his or her cumulative graduate grade-point average, and
   • If the cumulative graduate grade-point average from the first graduate academic semester is below a 3.0, the student trustee must resign from the appointment.

Conditions of Nomination

1. The Graduate Student Trustee MUST meet with GSS prior to each Board of Trustees meeting, The Student Trustee should also attend as many GSS GA and SEC meetings as possible, but at minimum 1 SEC and 1 GA per month.
2. If any of the qualifications or conditions of nomination is violated, the student trustee must resign.

Term of Office

1. Term of office of student members shall be for two (2) calendar years, beginning in May 2024 and ending May 2026.
2. Student trustees may only serve on the Board of Trustees for one (1) term. There will be no reappointments.

*For more information on the Graduate Student Board of Trustee position, please feel free to contact Vice President Shubham Sundriyal at gss@bgsu.edu with the subject heading "2026-2028 Graduate Student Trustee Application Question"

Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview with a selection committee composed of student leaders and members of the Graduate Student Senate.

Timeline and process (subject to change). 

January: Applications are now open. The application is a Qualtrics form. If you have trouble, please contact gss@bgsu.edu at least 10 days prior to the deadline. Late applications will not be considered. 

Early February: Selected applicants will be invited to interview with the Graduate Student Senate representatives.

February: Finalists chosen to meet senior administrators of BGSU. Interviews will be the week of Feb 21st - 25th.

March/April: Select finalists will be interviewed by the Governor of Ohio's Office.

April/May: Student Trustee chosen. 

Application

To apply for this position, please follow this application link