Student Member of the Weill Cornell Medicine Board of Fellows (Student Fellow)
The Student Fellow is a full voting member of the Weill Cornell Board of Fellows (WCM’s top governing body). The Student Fellow is responsible for representing the entire student body, which includes students enrolled in the graduate school as well as students enrolled in the medical school both in New York and Qatar. The Student Fellow is expected to be an active member of the community and to connect with students across the WCM programs.
The Student Fellow has several formal responsibilities, including presenting student updates at quarterly Board meetings. The Student Fellow may also be invited to serve on ad hoc committees, advise on institutional initiatives, and attend official WCM events. The position provides a unique opportunity to develop relationships with members of the Board of Fellows, institutional leaders, and students across WCM while advancing initiatives that improve the student experience and contribute to the broader institutional community.
Official Responsibilities of the Student Fellow:
- Attend and present a brief student update at quarterly Board of Fellow meetings
- Attend and participate in quarterly Board of Fellow subcommittee meetings, currently:
- External Relations Committee
- International Affairs Committee
- Student Affairs and Education Committee
- Oversee semesterly meetings with the Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine (Dean Robert A. Harrington), the Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education (Dean Joseph Safdieh) and the Dean of Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Dean Barbara Hempstead)
- Attend and provide updates at monthly MSEC and GSEC meetings
- Participate in monthly meetings with medical school and graduate school leadership
- Attend various official Weill Cornell Medicine Events (Holiday Parties, Award Ceremonies, Fundraisers)
2026 Election Eligibility / Nomination Requirements:
Any student currently enrolled full-time in the MD, PhD, or combined MD-PhD degree programs at Weill Cornell Medicine, and who expects to remain enrolled throughout the 2026–2027 academic year, is eligible to run. Because the elected student will be completing the final year of the current Student Fellow term, candidates do not need to commit to a new three-year term.
Nominees will be required to attend an information session (or have a designee attend in their place) and submit a one-page candidate statement. The statement should include a photograph, a brief personal introduction, relevant prior experiences or accomplishments, the candidate’s interest in the Student Fellow position, and the candidate’s goals if elected. Nominations and statements must be submitted via this Qualtrics survey by 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, August 13.
Candidates will have two weeks to campaign, beginning Monday, August 17. During this period, there will be a candidate debate on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM EDT which will be recorded and shared. Online voting will run Monday, August 31 to Wednesday, September 9.
All enrolled Weill Cornell Medicine students are encouraged to participate and are permitted one vote in this online election.
Key Election Dates:
Information Sessions: Tuesday, August 4 at 5:00 PM EST and Monday, August 10 at 6:00 PM EST. If you cannot attend either of these, please send a designee.
Candidate Statements Due: Thursday, August 13 by 11:59 PM EST. Submit here.
Announce the Candidates: Monday, August 17
Campaigning Begins: Monday, August 17
Candidate Debate: Wednesday, August 19
Campaigning Ends: Sunday, August 30
Online Voting Period: Monday, August 31 to Wednesday, September 9
Student Fellow Election Results: Thursday, September 10
If you have any questions, please reach out to Bryce Demopoulos at brd4008@med.cornell.edu.