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Student Board of Directors

Core Purpose

A global science community of students who strive to foster leadership, vocational development and professional relationships within the animal, food and allied industries.

Core Values

  • Involvement – We value active participation and contribution of the members to the success of the AMSA student membership.
  • Outreach - We value the resources to educate the current and future generations.
  • Networking - We value environments that create and foster professional and social relationships.
  • Professional Development – We value continued enhancement of the student membership’s professional skills and marketability.
  • Knowledge - We value science, the sharing of information and innovative thinking.

2025-2026 Student Board of Directors

  • President- Ryan Heitschmidt, West Texas A&M University
  • Past President- Clint Lee, University of Georgia
  • West Region Director- Joseph Kennah, University of Wyoming
  • Midwest Region Director- Chesney Effling, Kansas State University
  • South Region Director-Shelton Luedke, West Texas A&M University
  • East Region Director-Tessa Barrett, Auburn University
  • At- Large Director- Reese Harpool, Tarleton State University
  • At- Large Director- Abigail Sleep, Texas Tech University
  • At- Large Director- Megan Sorenson, University of Arizona

2026-2027 Student Board of Director Elections

Any student member of AMSA can apply for a position as long as they will be a student member during the 2026-27 term which will run from the 2026 RMC to the 2027 RMC. Directors are elected once a year in the Spring semester and there are eight elected positions: President, Past President, East Region Director, Midwest Region Director, South Region Director, West Region Director, At- Large Director, At-Large Director, At-Large Director.  Only one student from each educational institution will be elected to a director position: not to include the President or Past President positions.

All applicants will be required to submit a short video, a resume, and a recent photo for their peers to review.

After receipt of applications, ballots will be created and emailed to all current AMSA Student Members.  If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Frenzel at lfrenzel@meatscience.org.

Election Timeline

  • Open All Student Board of Director Nominations- January 14, 2026
  • Presidential Nominations Close- February 4, 2026
  • Launch Presidential Ballot- February 6, 2026
  • Close Presidential Ballot- February 18, 2026
  • Regional and At-Large Director Close Nominations- February 25, 2026
  • Launch Regional Director Ballots- February 27, 2026
  • Close Regional Director Ballot- March 13, 2026
  • Launch At-Large Director Ballot- March 18, 2026
  • Close At-Large Director Ballot- April 1, 2026
  • Announce 2025-2026 Student Board April 15, 2026

Director Regions

  • East Region Director- Red
  • Midwest Region Director- Green
  • South Region Director- Blue
  • West Region Director- Yellow

Map

 

Student Board of Directors Nomination Form

Which of the following Director positions are you applying for? (Please select all of those that you are interested in applying for)
Student Resume- Max of 2 Pages. The resume should state the positions you are interested in applying for.
1. Name 2. University 3. Classification 4. Major Professor or Student Advisor Name 5. Why do you want to be on the AMSA Student Board of Directors? 6. What qualifications make you the best candidate for the position? 7. What ideas might you have to contribute to the student board this upcoming year? 8. What does your AMSA membership mean to you?