Awards and Endowment
The Awards and Endowment Committee is responsible for organizing and implementing the Society’s initiatives to recognize individuals whose diverse contributions have advanced rural sociology and improved the well-being of rural communities. Through the Endowment, the Society supports both scholarship and practical efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of rural life.
Committee Leadership:
- Rachel Terman, Chair
- Sonja Lindberg, Chair Elect
Committee Members:
Sue Bevan
Matt Brooks
Gwénaëlle d’Aumale
Eleanor Green
Annabel Ipsen
Eric Larson
Lisa Pruitt
Danielle Schmidt
Kathy Sexsmith
Communications Committee
Ad Hoc Committee
The Communications Committee is responsible for enhancing internal and external communication across the organization. We manage digital platforms, oversee content strategy, and support outreach efforts to ensure timely, accurate, and engaging information flows between members and the public. Our goal is to strengthen visibility, promote engagement, and support the organization’s mission through clear and consistent messaging.
Committee Leadership:
- Jean Hardy, Chair
Committee Members:
Nelly Aghaei
Lalaki Hikmatu Awudu
Hannah Budge
Alessandra Del Brocco
Kelly Diaz
Josh Fergen
Edith-Marie Green
Shannon Monnat
Michelle Weston
Development Committee
The Development Committee is concerned with the status and development of the profession of rural sociology in the areas of teaching, research and extension. It conducts studies and deliberations as directed by the council; and may also make independent recommendations to the council for the good of the society.
Committee Leadership:
- Paige Kelley, Chair
- J. Arbuckle, Chair-Elect
- Florence Becot, Past Chair
Committee Members:
- Joshua Grove
Julie Keller
Shannon Monnat
Lisa Pruitt
Daisy Rooks
Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee created the Code of Ethics which sets forth the principles and ethical standards that underlie RSS members’ professional responsibilities and conduct. These principles and standards should be used as guidelines when examining everyday professional activities. They constitute normative statements for RSS members and provide guidance on issues that RSS members may encounter in their professional work.
Committee Leadership:
- Andrew Smolski, Chair
- Leland Glenna, Chair-Elect
- Amanda Crump, Past Chair
Committee Members:
- Kristi Lekies
- Alex Theophilus
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Committee (JEDI)
The JEDI Committee works to elevate the voices of underrepresented and marginalized scholars through recruitment, retention, professional development, and outreach – especially to scholars at minority-serving institutions; expand spaces of impact by fostering inclusive participation and building partnerships with organizations serving underrepresented communities; and protect academic freedom, particularly for scholars researching marginalized groups and using critical methodologies.
Committee Leadership:
- Kevin Alejandrez, Chair
- Leanne Avery, Chair-Elect
- Diego Thompson, Past Chair
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee leads the Society’s efforts to recruit new members and retain current ones, ensuring a vibrant and engaged membership base. It develops and implements strategies to attract individuals from diverse backgrounds, including students, early-career professionals, and underrepresented groups in rural sociology. The Committee also monitors membership trends and identifies areas for growth and outreach.
Beyond recruitment, the Committee plays a key role in fostering a strong sense of community within the Society. It may recommend initiatives to the Council aimed at enhancing member engagement, improving morale, and strengthening the overall cohesiveness of the organization. These initiatives might include mentorship programs, networking opportunities, member spotlights, and recognition of member achievements.
Committee Leadership:
- Richelle Winkler, Chair
- Ryanne Pilgeram, Chair-Elect
- Kelli Russell, Past Chair
Committee Members:
Hannah Budge
Wandipa Mualefhe
Lisa Pruitt
Jenny Selig
Stephanie Teixeira-Poit
Matthew Zinsli
Nominations Committee
The Nomination Committee functions as an independent body, separate from the Council, to ensure a fair and transparent leadership selection process. Its primary responsibilities include identifying, vetting, and shortlisting qualified candidates for elected offices within the Society. The Committee actively solicits nominations from the membership to encourage broad participation and representation. It evaluates potential nominees based on their professional qualifications, contributions to rural sociology, and commitment to the Society’s mission. The final slate of candidates is presented to the membership for a vote, ensuring democratic governance and leadership renewal.
Committee Leadership:
- Raeven Chandler, Chair
- Eleanor Green, Chair-Elect
Committee Members:
Michael Branch
Misty Harris
Ellie Martin
Morgan Montanez
John Zinda
Program Committee
The Program Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating the program of events for the Society’s annual meeting. This includes developing the meeting theme, organizing plenary and breakout sessions, scheduling keynote speakers, and reviewing proposals for papers, panels, and workshops. The Committee works closely with other Society committees and members to ensure the program reflects current issues, research, and practices in rural sociology.
Committee Leadership:
- Pierce Greenberg, Co-Chair
- Ryan Thomson, Co-Chair
Committee Members:
Mary Hendrickson
Gloria Ndindir Mangoni
Lisa Pruitt
Jessica Schad
Andy Smolski
Stephanie Teixeira-Poit
Carine Vilasanti
Michelle Weston
Publications Committee
The Publications Committee oversees the production of the Society’s official journal and all other sponsored publications. It is responsible for selecting editors—excluding the membership directory editor—subject to Council approval. The Society currently publishes Rural Sociology, its official peer-reviewed journal, and The Rural Sociologist, a quarterly newsletter.
Committee Leadership:
- Angie Carter, Chair
- Candace May, Chair-Elect
- Jessica Schad, Past Chair
Committee Members:
Ayse Akyildiz
Shannon Monnat
David Peters
Becky Schewe
Ye Su