Student Leadership
Alternative Service Experience offers many opportunities for students to gain leadership skills. ASE programs are planned and led by student Peer Leaders and the Executive Board, with support from the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership. ASE leadership roles are filled through an application process, which will open in early March.
Peer Leaders
ASE Peer Leaders are students who have previously been on an ASE program and want to take the lead on coordinating a program the following year for another group of students. Peer Leaders work in pairs to coordinate logistics of the program and run pre-travel meetings. They are also responsible for many of the details upon arriving at the group’s destination, as well as facilitating nightly reflections.
Executive Board
ASE Executive Board members are Peer Leaders who take on additional responsibilities to support all ASE programs. Executive Board members assist with Peer Leader training, planning events, and other aspects of ASE. The Executive Board consists of a Chair, two Public Relations co-chairs, two Special Events co-chairs, and a Logistics coordinator. Students can apply to become a Peer Leader and a member of the Executive Board through the same application process.
Requirements and responsibilities
- Attend Peer Leader Retreat (usually occurs toward the end of September)
- After retreat, begin attending weekly Peer Leader class (Fall & Winter leaders will have a couple meetings in the spring, then begin Monday classes the first week of fall classes)
- Attend all relevant ASE events for your program (Lottery/Info nights, Community Kick-Off, Reorientation)
- Plan and facilitate pre-departure meetings for your program
- Plan and facilitate education, reflection, and group-building activities for your program
- Executive Board members attend a weekly meeting and complete one office hour per week
Apply for ASE leadership
Recruitment for ASE leadership positions is in the beginning of the Fall semester, with applications available in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership Outreach Center. Potential leaders must submit an application, interview with the ASE Leadership Team, and commit to attendance at all leadership development and program planning meetings throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Preference is given to applicants who have been on ASE programs before and are juniors and seniors. International Peer Leaders must have been on an international program before or have been a Peer Leader before.
The application for 2025 – 2026 ASE Leadership opens in March 2025!