AERA Division A is committed to advancing research that critically examines the theories, practices, and policies shaping educational leadership, PK–20 organizations, and their communities. In alignment with this mission, the Division A Graduate Student Committee (GSC) seeks to cultivate inclusive, supportive, and intellectually generative spaces that prepare graduate students to lead, research, and serve across academic, policy, and practitioner communities.
For information about current Division A GSC programming and details, click here or consider reaching out to divisionagsc@gmail.com.
The Division A GSC fosters graduate student development through year-round programming and collaborative events. We are dedicated to supporting the professional growth of graduate students and engaging our scholarly community by:
Benjamin Lebovitz (University of Wisconsin–Madison), balebovitz@wisc.edu
Jennifer Banegas (Pepperdine University), jennifer.banegas@pepperdine.edu
The GSC operates as a collaborative leadership team, with each member responsible for specific areas of programming and support:
Provide strategic leadership, represent graduate student interests in Division A leadership spaces, and facilitate continuity across GSC initiatives. Most recently, they’ve introduced a peer mentorship program for Division A graduate students.
Design and implement the Connect Series, a series of webinars and resource-building programs that bring graduate students together with scholars and practitioners to explore current educational leadership, research, and policy topics. Recent webinars include an AERA Submission Writing Webinar (June 2025) and Academic Job Market: High Leverage Practices in Cover Letters and Statements (January 2025).
Oversees GSC communications across platforms, including newsletters and social media. You can follow Division A on LinkedIn, Bluesky, X, and Instagram.
Coordinates the annual Foster-Polite Scholarship, a competitive award providing support for travel ($500 each, as of 2025) for up to 6 students each year to attend the AERA Annual Meeting.
Facilitates ongoing writing groups and writing retreats to support scholarly productivity, peer accountability, community-building, and knowledge-sharing among graduate students. The graduate student writing group meets every Monday from 11am to 1pm ET.
Provide flexible leadership in response to the emerging needs of the graduate student community, publicize upcoming events with the graduate student community, and support GSC programming throughout the year.
All GSC members participate in monthly committee meetings and collaborate to plan graduate student programming year-round and at the AERA Annual Meeting, including mentoring events, networking sessions, and capacity-building workshops.