CSAD Associates Program

CSAD Associates will deepen their knowledge of and experiences with the civic responsibilities and processes of American democracy. They will also learn:

• To organize an event on current affairs, including researching speakers, arranging the venue or technology set-up, devising the format, preparing background briefs and interview questions, publicity, and event management.

• To contribute to a team with a shared purpose and commitment to integrity, excellence and a rigorously non-partisan exploration of political issues.

• To create and edit communications of various kinds that are pithy, engaging and intellectually serious, yet accessible to the general public.

• To evaluate sources for bias and credibility. 

• To engage with outside speakers and authorities with confidence and professional poise.

CSAD’s programs are always evolving and responsive to current issues. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Projects for which associates have major responsibilities, such as voting guides or student-led panels on current issues.

2. Weekly meeting with Professor Nancy Powers to review progress on projects and contribute as a student advisory panel on CSAD planning.

3. Participation in CSAD events, including background research, introducing speakers, assisting with Q&As, hospitality for guest speakers and publicity and promotion of the events among peers and in classes.

4. Workshops to learn new skills.

Associates will be paid based on hours worked, including a required weekly meeting, CSAD events where the associate has a role or responsibilities (associates are not paid merely for sitting in an audience), training workshops, hospitality for guest speakers, and a variety of special projects. Associates will have some flexibility in taking on projects that will require varying amounts of time in the range of 3-10 hours in a week. 

CSAD accomplishes its work with a staff of three: Professor Of Political Science Joseph Klesner, director of CSAD; Assistant Professor of Political Science Nancy Powers, associate director of CSAD; and Christy Keffer, administrative assistant. CSAD also currently has a postdoctoral fellow, Max Ehrenfreund.

Professor Nancy Powers oversees the CSAD Associates Program, but associates may be called upon to assist any CSAD staff member. 

We seek a team of many political viewpoints, life experiences and campus affiliations to serve as CSAD’s student advisors and ambassadors and to help CSAD carry out its mission. Students with sophomore standing or higher, of any major, are welcome and encouraged to apply. Past applicants (whether accepted or not) are encouraged to apply.

Well-qualified applicants will have a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher, excellent communication and research skills, curiosity, an open mind, an energetic work ethic, a demonstrated interest in public affairs (broadly defined), and a strong commitment to liberal democratic principles (i.e., free speech, civil and political rights, fair and free elections, rule of law).

We also seek associates who have the highest standards of personal responsibility and integrity and who enjoy working on a team. Associates should be realistic about their academic course load, employment, and extracurricular activities. Work hours vary during the semester. Associates have some flexibility in accepting assignments based on their interests and available time, but applicants should be available to work at least 5 hours weekly.

CSAD is a nonprofit organization established for rigorous analysis of democracy in theory and practice. We seek associates with open minds, who want to deepen their understanding of the political world. Associates must put aside partisan or ideological commitments while engaged in any CSAD project and must avoid even the appearance of promoting their personal political goals while doing CSAD projects.

Students must apply through the Handshake system. 

The 2024 application deadline for the Senior Associate position is August 12. The application deadline for Student Associate is August 19. CSAD’s director, associate director and administrative assistant will review applications upon submission, contact your references as needed and select semi-finalists for interviews. We hope to complete the hiring process before the end of August.