Resource:How to ensure a student representation at the leadership table

Establish a relationship with university leaders

•    Intro (short paragraph on why you needed this connection)

Quick bio: Adam Eastman formed a design club at his school by creating an accessible space for students and eventually delivering projects to design teams/sponsoring challenges, etc.  He has been effectively transforming Berkeley’s undergraduate engineering education, with the recent culmination of a $20 MILLION grant for a new design institute.

Through his work in beginning this design club, Adam has found his way onto numerous administration boards representing the mechanical engineering department including a committee to form a new design degree path and the board for the new design institute.

By being on the board, Adam has been able to work directly with the faculty members who are able to enact what he needs.  He is in a very strong position to lobby for his design club and also create new connections with administrators in his school.   

•    People (who you wanted to connect with)

While going to the top can be successful at times, it may be better to find that person in the perfect place and work on getting your idea to ‘trickle up.’  While getting started, Adam sought out a staff member who could be a liaison between the registrar and the engineering school.  This person was able to effectively communicate both divisions while eventually bringing in higher-ups, but he didn’t start with the top.

Find a faculty member with enough influence to get you what you need and make sure you can convince them to fight for you.   

•    Materials (what supporting data or materials you brought with you to meetings)

Interesting idea- Many people try to bring a specific goal into a meeting that they need to leave having accomplished.  Adam said that after a while he realized that when working with administrators sometimes he would be more successful when just bringing a few general concepts and letting the meeting play out.

He described the most successful meetings as having free flow of ideas.  Sometimes by just going in with a general direction of what you want (NOT necessarily specific demands), you are more likely to strike up an unexpected deal or connection between parties that you would not have otherwise uncovered if you were too busy fighting for something specific.

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•    Process (what steps you took and who you interacted with)

Little bit of right place at the right time, lot of persistence- get good at just going in to talk to people. (Said he has been knocking on some professors doors for months trying to talk to them). 

Just say “hi.”  Adam said he has made a lot of connections and made deals with teachers when he just drops in to say hello.

While building a club/movement first seek out a person who you think may be vital to the cause.  They may have expertise or pull in the school.  After an initial meeting with this person to lay out your goals, learn to drop in regularly just to talk.  Again- he is a big fan of the free flow of ideas concept.

One more thing.  Adam was placed on some of these executive boards because he was successful in organizing his peers and gaining a following on campus (e-board members heard him give a presentation on design and subsequently invited him to join the board for the new institute).  By demonstrating clear interest and ability (exercise the authority that you deserve), you will likely be sought out by administrators because they are looking for a student voice.  

•    Timeline (how much time it took from idea to connection)

Not long.  He stressed the idea of a ripple effect.  Once he got his club moving, getting on the board did not take long.  Overall process from inception of club to institute grant and present day is only about a year.  

•    Results (what happened as a result of your connection)

Gave a voice to the students, helping to bring design to the forefront of Berkeley’s UG coursework.      •    Follow-up (what plans exist to maintain that connection)

Beyond using his influence to keep the design club moving, Adam is trying to work on a new venture to promote the ‘Flipped Classroom’ model.  It’s perfect for him to be connected with the administrators in his school because he can work to implement some changes instantly on campus.  He will be continuing his work on the administration boards to plan the design degree and create the newly funded institute.      

•    Lessons learned and tips for others (what worked and what didn’t, and your recommendations for others)