Student smiling and speaking at a podium at IFT FIRST

Leadership & Governance

The IFT Student Association (IFTSA) is a student-governed community of IFT members.


Vision: A global community of inspired and informed students who are prepared for the future of their choosing


Mission: To enrich the academic experience and empower students to thrive individually and together

Each year, IFT student members have the opportunity to submit a nomination to be part of the IFTSA Board of Directors, or to become IFTSA President-Elect. 

The nomination process, as approved by the IFTSA and IFT Board of Directors in November 2016, is outlined in the IFT Student Association Bylaws. Candidates submitting their applications by that year’s deadline are vetted by the Nominating Committee, and then the IFT student membership is notified of the slate of candidates. Candidate profiles are also posted to the IFT website. 

Following that, student members have 15 days to submit additional nominations to the Nominating Committee. Such nominations must be supported by a written petition signed by at least 2 percent of IFTSA’s eligible voting members. Of those members, not more than 33 percent may be identified with any one university. 

If there are no additional nominations by the review deadline, the slate of candidates is considered approved and the candidates will begin their terms of service on September 1. 

IFT Student Association Board of Directors (2024–2025)

 

 

 

 

 

Competition Chairs (2024–2025)

College Bowl

Sponsored by Nestlé Purina
Rania Marie Buenavista
Kansas State University

Developing Solutions for Developing Countries

Sponsored by Feeding Tomorrow Fund
Lathifa Novianti
IPB University

Graduate Research Video Competition

Sponsored by Campden BRI
Thilini Dissanayake
University of Manitoba

IFTSA & Mars Product Development Competition

Sponsored by Mars Wrigley
Edwin Hlangwani
University of Johannesburg

Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition

Janine Merkle
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Undergraduate Research Competition

Sponsored by Phi Tau Sigma
Lik Xian Lim
University of California, Davis

Appointed Roles (2024-2025)

Blog Editor

Prerana Balasubramanian
University of Massachusetts Amherst