The Department
EGSA

Entomology Graduate Student Association

The Entomology Graduate Student Association (EGSA) provides a student voice for departmental affairs by holding elected seats on all departmental committees, promotes social interactions and serves the community by educating about the importance of insects and science through the Insect Ambassadors program.

EGSA Officers (2024-2025)

Insect Ambassadors

Insect Ambassadors is a graduate student-led organization hosted by the Department of Entomology. We are an embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea: making the boundaries of the UW the boundaries of the state. We’re here to help teach why insects are incredible organisms through interactive presentations and our knowledgeable, passionate students. Read more about Insect Ambassadors and request a presentation.

EGSA Activities

The association hosts several departmental functions each year, including the Spring Picnic and the EGSA Thanksgiving Dinner. EGSA also coordinates an Entomology Games team that competes in an exciting question-and-answer, college bowl-style competition on entomological facts played between university student teams at Entomological Society of America meetings.

EGSA established and manages the Kinney Merit Award that provides support for graduate student enrichment, usually for costs associated with attending scientific meetings. Learn more about the Kinney Merit Award here. If interested, please email a completed Kinney Merit Award application and a current CV to the award review committee chair. This person changes each year, contact the EGSA treasurer for more information.

Entomology-themed Merch

You can support the EGSA and sport some sweet merch by visiting our Spreadshirt shop. T-shirts and mugs are available with designs by current and former Entomology students.

Department resources

  • Code of Conduct: In 2020, faculty and graduate students collaborated to create a Code of Conduct for our Department, which outlines our community values and behaviors we do not tolerate. It also includes a document outlining expectations for graduate student – advisor relationships. There is also an extensive resource section at the end which outlines reporting and support options. Please read the document all the way through!
  • Anonymous feedback form: anyone can provide anonymous feedback to the department on this form, which is monitored by the Russell Hubs HR staff on a monthly basis. Please be aware that they have no ability to follow up on these comments since they are completely anonymous, so if you need to report instances of sexual harassment, hostile and intimidating behavior, etc. you will need to report through other avenues such as directly to HR or Title IX. For more information about other avenues for reporting, see our Code of Conduct. To submit to this form you need to be signed in with your wisc.edu email address, but any submissions will be anonymous.
  • EGSA Slack: EGSA hosts a community channel (email the EGSA president for an invite). This is a space for asking questions to the community, asking for help (with a protocol, stats, etc.), and sharing cool ento-related events, etc. Here’s a quick start guide if you’re new to Slack! Let us know if you have any problems joining.
  • Gender-neutral bathrooms: in Russell Labs are rooms 103 and A203. You can find gender-inclusive bathrooms in any building using the campus map here (choose the Show me… gender inclusive restrooms option). If you know of any other ones or the information is wrong, you can fill out this form.
  • Lactation room: Russell Labs has a lactation room in the 284 Suite. You can find instructions to sign up here.
  • Snack Room: EGSA runs a Snack Room in Russell Labs room 242 for something to eat. All proceeds go to supporting EGSA‘s programming. Don’t worry if you don’t have cash, you can also pay with Venmo (there is a QR code in the Snack Room on the bulletin board)!

Outreach opportunities:

  • Insect Ambassadors is our graduate student-run outreach organization that anyone in the Department can participate in. IA has many presentations scheduled for the fall and our coordinators are looking for volunteers to help! They will be holding a training for new people soon. Anyone in the Entomology community is welcome to volunteer, no experience necessary.