Editorial Board

In This Section

The Editorial Board works closely with staff to determine the strategy and themes for ASDA’s magazine, Contour.

The Editorial Board comprises the editor-in-chief and six contributing editors:

The editor-in-chief supervises content of the association's publications. The editor manages the Editorial Board and chairs all meetings.
Contributing editors are responsible for recruiting and contacting authors for publications and writing articles as needed.

2024-25 Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief: Katherine Burkett, Louisiana ‘25
Editorial Board Contributing Editor: Juliann Marmal, Georgia ‘26
Editorial Board Contributing Editor: Trevor McDonald, Marquette ‘25
Editorial Board Contributing Editor: Clarice Michalski, Marquette ‘25
Editorial Board Contributing Editor: Delbert Oxborrow, Washington ‘25
Editorial Board Contributing Editor: Amrit Saini, North Carolina ‘26
Editorial Board Contributing Editor: Minhee Jeon, Pennsylvania ’26

Position Descriptions

Editor-in-Chief

Term Length: Feb. 1, 2025- Jan. 31, 2026 (light Editorial Board work will continue through April 30, 2026)

Eligibility Requirements

Must be an active predoctoral member at the time of application and throughout the term of office.
Must be able to attend all required meetings listed below and conference calls when necessary.
Will complete projects or resolutions assigned by the House of Delegates or Board of Trustees.
Must be able to complete assignments and responsibilities by established deadlines.
Experience serving on the Editorial Board is strongly preferred.

Estimated Time Commitment

90-minute virtual Editorial Board meeting every month. 30-minute check-in with ASDA staff every week. Estimated time commitment is 10-15 hours every month to recruit and communicate with student authors, edit and write articles, develop story ideas, track progress, and more.

Required Meetings

February 2025: Editorial Meeting (Virtual)
April 26-27, 2025: In-person Spring Council Meeting (Chicago, IL)
June 2025: Editorial Meeting (Virtual)
September 23-24, 2025: Fall Council (Virtual)
November 21-23, 2025: In-person National Leadership Conference (Chicago, IL)
February 6-8, 2026: In-person ASDA Annual Session (Minneapolis, MN)

National leaders must participate fully (whether it be virtual or in-person) in council business via email, meet deadlines, and attend all council calls.

Funding for required in-person meetings includes: transportation to/from meetings, meals, hotel accommodations, a per diem based on the length of the meeting and reimbursement for baggage fees.

Responsibilities
Content strategy

Exercises editorial discretion over association publication content.
Writes or delegates the writing of editorials, articles and other materials.
Identifies themes for issues.
Monitors national, regional and local issues relating to dental student needs and interests.

Publications management

Works closely with staff to further ASDA’s publication strategy.
Identifies appropriate article topics and qualified authors to establish a supply of copy for publication consideration.
Develops criteria for content, authorship and number of editorials, as well as publication of letters to the editor and other opinion manuscripts.
Coordinates activities necessary for the acquisition of copy and reviews articles.
Writes and edits articles and other materials as assigned.

Editorial Board management

Supervises the activities of the Editorial Board.
Approves all council meeting agendas and minutes.
Mentors Editorial Board members.
Assists with orientation and transition of new Editorial Board members.

Contributing Editor