PSB 67(2) 2021
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
What motivated you to run for the position of Student Representative to the Board of Directors, and what do you plan to do as the student representative of BSA? I was so impressed by the student reps I met at the Botany Conference in 2019. Minya and Chelsea Pretz were an inspiration—they helped students feel connected by being present and checking in. They created a sense of community and made me feel included and welcome. The student-centered events they planned and managed were intentional and meaningful, like the Student Luncheon where professionals shared how they leveraged their botany education into successful careers. I wanted to help continue these traditions, as well as try to enhance student participation through additional activities and projects.
IOANA ANGHEL University of California, Los Angeles When did you join BSA and what motivated you to do so? Will you encourage other students to become members and participate in the Society as well? I joined BSA as a first-year graduate student in 2018 when my advisor, Dr. Felipe Zapata, sponsored my membership. I was excited to join to get to know a broader community of botanists outside of my home and local institutions. I am looking forward to learning what motivates students to join a Society, and to encourage students to be active in the Society by reflecting their motivations through BSA activities and programming.
As the BSA student representative, I would love to develop a program to help students find potential collaborators through activities that encourage open idea generation and lowstakes discussions. This would look like a space, either virtual or at the Botany Conference, where students can openly discuss ideas and interests and find other people who are excited about similar topics. Formalizing such a space would hopefully energize and motivate students to become involved with other BSA initiatives and connect with both plants and plant people. I believe students thrive when they trust that their short experience is still valued and nurtured by the other members of the community. To support this, I would like to formalize a way for students to connect with other botanists with common interests and with people who can expand their sense of possibility in botany.
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