As a Lead Student Volunteer (LSV), you’ll play a vital role in shaping the student experience while learning how the largest international supercomputing conference operates through behind-the-scenes access.
LSVs coordinate and mentor fellow student volunteers, assist conference committees, and help ensure the smooth execution of technical sessions, exhibits, and networking events. You’ll work closely with conference leaders and peers from around the world, building important connections that last far beyond the week of the conference.
This role is perfect for previous student volunteers ready to take their SC experience to the next level — developing leadership, communication, and organizational skills while deepening their engagement with the global HPC community.
Lead Student Volunteers ChairLayla Freeborn, University of Colorado
Lead Student Volunteer Applications Open 8 December 2025
8 DEC 2025
Applications Open
13 FEB 2026
Applications Close
16 MAR 2026
Notifications Sent
Lead Student Volunteers (LSVs) are valued leaders in student programs and work directly with committee members on a specific part of the conference. LSVs are experienced student volunteers who have demonstrated a passion for SC and desire to make a greater volunteer contribution to the field. As a member of the Lead Student Volunteer program, the students become junior committee members, providing them with the exposure and experience of being a committee member at SC.
The following are typical roles filled by LSVs. Many of these roles include a component of communicating during the conference on Slack, ensuring Student Volunteers check into their assigned shifts, and assisting the SC Committee as needed.
Birds of a Feather (BoF) & Panels
Work with the BoF and Panel organizers to ensure smooth operations of these sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Exhibitor Forum
Work with the various Exhibits sub-committees to help organize and run the Exhibitor Forum.
Papers
Work with the Paper organizers to ensure smooth operations of these sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Posters & Doctoral Showcase
Work with the Poster organizers to ensure smooth operations of the main poster session on Tuesday and during setup earlier in the week.
Tutorials Coordinator
Work with the Tutorial organizers to ensure smooth operations of these sessions on Sunday and Monday.
Workshops Coordinator
Work with the Workshop organizers to ensure smooth operations of these sessions on Sunday, Monday, and Friday.
SCinet
Assist the SCinet committee as needed.
Local Arrangements
Assist the committee as needed with events arranged by Local Arrangements during the conference. This could include checking badges, taking tickets, guiding people to certain locations, and other tasks as assigned.
Live Events & Security
Wayfinding (Information Booth)
Students@SC Operations
Work with the Students@SC committee leading up to and during the conference on the organization and execution of Students@SC Events at the conference.
Student Cluster Competition (SCC)
Student Headquarters Office Manager
Student Networking & After Hours Events
Communications
LSVs typically work more hours than student volunteers, and are required to attend several phone meetings in advance of the conference as well as to arrive in Chicago the Friday before the conference begins. They help select and train the rest of the volunteer team and mentor new students. This is an excellent opportunity for students looking to join the conference committee.
To ensure that applicants will have the time required to fully participate in the program and the conference at large, all applicants may not have other commitments at SC (such as working at your university’s booth or other programs) that exceed 10 hours during the duration of the conference.
Student volunteers are expected to dress appropriately for the conference. Dress in clean, business casual or casual clothing while performing volunteer duties – lightweight, comfortable clothes and shoes (appropriate T-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, jeans, trousers, skirts, dresses). Many conference attendees dress casually during the conference and during most events; business attire is not expected or required. Please make sure all clothes provide coverage appropriate for a professional event.
The Students@SC program includes a Job Fair and two evening events: the Grand Opening Gala Reception and the Technical Program Reception. Students may choose to bring more formal attire for these events.
Please remember that this is a professional conference. If you are not sure if something is appropriate or could be considered offensive, please ask.
Students are required to follow the SC Code of Conduct at all times.
*Rooms are booked by the conference to ensure student volunteers have quick and easy access to the convention center to work their shifts. Even if you are local to the area, you still need to stay in your reserved hotel room.
Overall, students are responsible for their own meals during the conference. Several events during the conference do provide food including the Grand Opening Gala Reception and the Technical Program Reception. Vendor events and booths occasionally provide food.
Students have access to conference coffee and snack breaks, which take place halfway through the morning and afternoon sessions. Breakfast is provided for SCinet student volunteers; all other student volunteers provide their own breakfast.
SC provides travel support to all accepted lead student volunteers. Students must utilize the SC travel agency to make all travel arrangements.
Create an account in the online submission system and complete the form. A sample form can be viewed before signing in.
If you have questions about Lead Student Volunteer applications, please contact the program committee.
Applying to the Student Volunteers program is a great way to supercharge your professional development and networking opportunities in HPC.
