The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is governed by an elected Board of Directors (Board) that includes professionals, individuals with disabilities, and family members. The Board has established several committees and councils made up of experts in the field to help the Board address emerging trends and issues and facilitate communication across and beyond the AUCD network. For more information about the AUCD Board, go to www.aucd.org.

The AUCD Board of Directors is seeking nominations from the network's Emerging Leader community to fill the Emerging Leader Board Member voting position on the Board. (*Note that this is not the same as the Emerging Leader Intern.) The Emerging Leader Board Member will be a voting member on AUCD's national Board of Directors and represent the Association and broader AUCD network. This position will bring the voice and perspective of the AUCD Emerging Leader Community, including but not limited to trainees and early career professionals in the network.  

• An Emerging Leader is someone who: Is an early career professional working at an AUCD member site and someone within five years of their traineeship, including Self-Advocates and family members, or completion of a relevant advanced degree in any health or related discipline. 

• Demonstrates knowledge of the Emerging Leaders Community and larger AUCD network. 

• Demonstrates an interest in national issues related to people with disabilities. 

• Provides feedback and has a dialogue with the Board on Emerging Leader activities and Board decisions that affect that network. 

• Models cultural and linguistic competence in interactions with colleagues and professionals from around the country representing a wide range of abilities, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and cultural identities. 

• Communicates information back to and gathers information from the Emerging Leaders Community as appropriate. 

• Serve for the entire term, which will begin during the April 15, 2024 Board conference call and conclude at the AUCD 2024 Conference in November (November 3-6, 2024). 

• Note: the elected candidate will be eligible to run for a full term starting at the AUCD Conference in November and ending in fall 2027. 

• Attend the in-person Board meetings at the AUCD Conference and Summer Board Retreat:

• 3-day summer retreat (June 25-27, 2024).

• AUCD Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. in November 2024. 

• Join and participate in 2 Board conference calls (April 15, 2024, and September 09, 2024). 

• Compose a written Emerging Leaders Community report to the Board for each Board meeting.  

• Participate fully in all Board activities, including joining a Board standing committee (e.g., Fnance, Conference). 

• Join and participate in AUCD Emerging Leader Interns' conference calls once a month, including sharing Board and trainee activities. 

*If you leave your AUCD program or center during your Emerging Leader Board position term, you also relinquish your Board position. 

To submit a nomination for yourself or another individual, please email the required materials listed below to Liz Schneider at [email protected] by COB on Friday, March 29.