Student Rally Leadership Networking Program

The Student Rally Leadership Networking Program (SRLNP) was established in 2021 to link and foster growth of regional ASABE rallies and to tie regional rally participants to the Annual International Meeting (AIM). Each year, student representatives are selected from upcoming rally host institutions and “most deserving”/”up-and-coming” chapters to participate in the program.

Participating students are funded to travel to the ASABE AIM where they take part in professional development, leadership, and networking activities as well as build meaningful connections with their peer leaders from around the USA. The program encourages cross-pollination of successful student chapter and rally leaders to translate the excitement generated by the regional rallies into persistent benefits to the institutions, regions, and ASABE society. Historically, SRLNP has shared a strong connection with the International Student Branch (ISB). The program is organized and governed by the ASABE P-131 committee.

Immediate Impact

Even in its brief history, SRLNP has demonstrated exceptional success. Among the achievements: The 2024–2025 ISB officer team entirely comprises past participants of the program.

And here's what else we know:

• 91% of all SLRNP participants were able to attend AIM for the first time
• The activities that had the most impact:
  • Networking, learning about research, and traveling/exploring a new city
• Knowledge of ASABE and its regions substantially increased and the vast majority of students plan to continue to full member
• Networking confidence was substantially improved after SRLNP participation
• 91% of students added 10 or more new contacts to their network after SRLNP
• 91% of students gained exposure to new areas of ASABE or career pathways of which they were previously unaware 

Funding

Early support for SRLNP was provided by ASABE Initiative and Restricted Reserve Funding. Motions in 2023 and 2024 by the EOPD-210 Academic Department Heads committee were approved that secured commitments from participating departments to fund the travel of their respective students. The ASABE KEYS Fund has also generously provided support for student participants during times of economic uncertainty within participating departments.

Room to Grow
Our academic departments are filled with talented students who, with the right support, can become exceptional leaders in ASABE and the profession. If you're passionate about shaping the future of the profession through student leadership fomation, contact Liz Metts, ASABE development director. She'll be happy to exchange ideas for supporting this promising program.

Calling Rising Leaders!

Are you an ASABE undergraduate student? Are you looking for ways to dig deeper into the profession, make professional connections beyond your campus, and have fun along the way? SRLNP offers all that and more.

The first step to participating in the program is to get involved with your regional rally. For information about the rallies, contact your student chapter advisor or Sarah Rodriguez, ASABE director of member engagement. 

Congratulations to this year’s SRLNP cohort!

2025 SRLNP Cohort