2025-2026 CUR Nominations: CUR Board of Directors Nomination Form |
Presidential Line (1 opening) or Board Director (6 openings: 3 one-year terms, 3 three-year terms)
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) is now accepting nominations for Director positions on the Board of Directors (BoD) and for the Presidential Line (Treasurer, President-Elect, President, Immediate Past President). These pivotal leadership roles serve the CUR community by stewarding the organization’s strategic direction, ensuring sound governance, and representing CUR at the national level in higher education, research, and nonprofit arenas.
Why Serve?
Serving in CUR leadership is an opportunity to contribute at the highest level of impact - advancing the mission of CUR, guiding our community forward, and shaping the future of UR. These roles require a deep understanding of nonprofit governance, a strong commitment to CUR’s values, and the time, energy, and foresight to lead in a rapidly evolving higher education environment.
Serving in CUR leadership is an opportunity to contribute at the highest level of impact - advancing the mission of CUR, guiding our community forward, and shaping the future of UR. These roles require a deep understanding of nonprofit governance, a strong commitment to CUR’s values, and the time, energy, and foresight to lead in a rapidly evolving higher education environment.
Board of Directors Expectations
The CUR Board of Directors is CUR’s highest governing body. Directors serve as fiduciaries with responsibility for the duty of care, loyalty, and obedience, and:
• Attend and prepare for quarterly Board meetings (virtually) and the in-person annual June retreat (attendance is mandatory)
• Attend and prepare for Board Committee meetings and any Board training (virtually)
• Guide CUR’s strategic vision and oversee financial health and compliance
• Act as ambassadors of CUR, strengthening partnerships and expanding resources
• Engage in CUR programming and represent the organization externally
• Commit to a three-year term and maintain active CUR membership
The CUR Board of Directors is CUR’s highest governing body. Directors serve as fiduciaries with responsibility for the duty of care, loyalty, and obedience, and:
• Attend and prepare for quarterly Board meetings (virtually) and the in-person annual June retreat (attendance is mandatory)
• Attend and prepare for Board Committee meetings and any Board training (virtually)
• Guide CUR’s strategic vision and oversee financial health and compliance
• Act as ambassadors of CUR, strengthening partnerships and expanding resources
• Engage in CUR programming and represent the organization externally
• Commit to a three-year term and maintain active CUR membership
Presidential Line Responsibilities
In addition to the Board of Director expectations listed above, the Presidential Line serves as the Officers for the Board of Directors and consists of a four-year leadership progression:
• Treasurer (Year 1): Focuses on financial oversight and strategic resource alignment; leads the Finance Committee; serves on the Executive and Compensation Committees and the Council
• President-Elect (Year 2): Engages in organizational preparation, strategy development, and leadership training; serves on the Executive and Compensation Committees; Chairs the Council
• President (Year 3): Serves as the chair of the Board; oversees strategic implementation; serves on the Executive and Compensation Committees; and partners closely with the Executive Officer
• Immediate Past President (Year 4): Chairs the Nominations and Leadership Development Committee; serves on the Executive and Compensation Committees; and provides continuity to the Presidential Line
These roles are designed to ensure institutional memory, strategic continuity, and strong, future-focused leadership. Candidates for the Presidential Line must demonstrate deep understanding of CUR’s mission, strategic priorities, and governance needs, and must be prepared for a sustained, high-impact leadership commitment.
Presidential leaders will:
• Dedicate significant time to CUR’s strategic and operational needs
• Lead board performance assessment and volunteer pipeline development
• Serve on the Executive and Compensation Committees
• Oversee EO evaluation, governance oversight, and CUR’s public voice
Presidential leaders will:
• Dedicate significant time to CUR’s strategic and operational needs
• Lead board performance assessment and volunteer pipeline development
• Serve on the Executive and Compensation Committees
• Oversee EO evaluation, governance oversight, and CUR’s public voice
Candidates should review the full call to learn more about the qualifications a successful candidate must demonstrate prior to submitting a nomination.
Qualified candidates should submit their self-nomination and supporting materials by November 24, 2025 at 11:59pm Eastern. Partial submissions will not be reviewed.