Expand your circle through ACerS Young Professionals Network (YPN)
The American Ceramic Society’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) aims to provide support, community, and leadership opportunities to members as they transition from students to successful professionals that are active members of the broader ceramic society.
Current Calls for Volunteers
2025-2027 YPN Co-Chair
The YPN Steering Committee is calling for nominations for the 2025-2027 YPN co-chair position. If you are an ACerS member who is looking to start or continue your involvement within the Society and have clear ideas about how to further the YPN's goals, please consider submitting a nomination form by Friday, August 22, 2025.
The current members of the YPN Steering Committee and their initiatives are listed at the bottom of this page.
YPN co-chair term and time commitments
The two YPN co-chairs serve as the primary points of contact for inquiries, provide overall coordination of activities in close contact with ACerS staff, and are responsible for reporting on YPN activities to the Board on at least an annual basis.
One co-chair will be appointed to a two-year term each year by the YPN steering committee. The term begins at the ACerS Annual Meeting each year.
The time commitment is 5-10 hours per month, with monthly meetings of the YPN throughout the year. Additional work may be required depending on activities/goals of the YPN that are specific to the co-chairs.
Additional YPN co-chair commitments
One YPN co-chair sits on the Education and Professional Development Council (EPDC).
Meeting frequency: Once a quarter
One YPN co-chair sits on the Strategic Planning and Emerging Opportunities (SPEO) standing committee.
Meeting frequency: Total of three (3) times per year (once at the ACerS Annual Meeting)
The outgoing YPN co-chair acts as the chair of the Du-Co Ceramics Young Professional Award Committee.
Meeting frequency: As often as is required to make an awardee selection
YPN co-chair nominees and form
Nominee(s) must be a current ACerS member. Ideally nominee(s) will be a member of the YPN who have completed their university/student career and are 40 years of age or under.
If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else please complete the nomination form below and submit by Friday, August 22, 2025. Please contact Yolanda Natividad with any questions.
YPN Steering Committee - Subcommittees
Interested in becoming involved in the YPN Steering Committee? Join us within one of the following YPN subcommittees: YPN+1, YPN Connect, YPN Webinars, YPN Programming, YPN Communications.
Volunteer(s) must be a current ACerS member. Ideally volunteer(s) will be a member of the YPN who have completed their university/student career and are 40 years of age or under.
To inquire and/or express interest, reach out to Yolanda Natividad with the name(s) of the subcommittees you are interested in joining.
Join the Growing YPN Community
You may join this growing community by logging in to your ACerS Personal Snapshot and marking "Young Professionals Network (YPN)" under the Interest Groups and Communities tab.
By joining today, you will receive YPN communications that will highlight opportunities for networking, volunteering, professional development, and more.
YPN Steering Committee and its subcommittees
ACerS Young Professionals Network (YPN) is guided by the YPN Steering Committee and its subcommittees. See below to find out more about these subcommittees.
YPN Connect - November
Join us for the upcoming ACerS YPN Connect event scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 3:00 pm EST / 8:00 pm UTC.
This virtual event is open to both ACerS YPN members and non-members, so be sure to invite your colleagues and friends!
Register below - we look forward to seeing you there!
YPN+1 Program - NEW
The YPN+1 Program offers the YPN Division Liaison program so that YPN members may seek to become involved in leadership roles within their Division.
Stay Connected
ACerS Member Community
Join us in the Young Professionals Network group within the ACerS Member Community.
Join us in the ACerS Young Professionals Network (YPN) group.
Young Professional Awards
Cements: Early Career Award
The Cements Division’s Early Career Award recognizes an outstanding early career scientist who is conducting research in the field of...
Du-Co Ceramics Young Professional Award
This $1,500 award, established by the late Reldon Cooper, co-founder of Du-Co Ceramics, is awarded to a young professional member...
Engineering Ceramics: Global Young Investigator Award
The Global Young Investigator (GYI) award recognizes the outstanding young ceramic engineer and scientist whose achievements have been significant to...
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Advance your Career
- Post your resume and search the Ceramic Career and Glass Center
- Increase your knowledge with Ceramic Materials Course offerings
- Participate in free webinars without ever having to leave the office or lab.
- Write for JACerS, ACT, IJAGS, or ACerS’ Bulletin
- Present a paper or poster at ACerS meetings
Volunteer with the YPN
- Sign up for one or more of the ACerS Mentor Programs
- Apply to be a part of the NEW YPN+1 Program
- Be a Super Member or Moderator within the new ACerS Member Community
- Join the YPN as a Steering Committee member
- Serve as a Student Contest Judge
Invaluable Connections
“The connections that I’ve made through The American Ceramic Society have been invaluable. I highly encourage anyone to get involved with the Society.”
Geoff Brennecka, Colorado School of Mines
2024-2025 Young Professionals Network (YPN) Steering Committee
Become an Individual or Associate Member
If you are a recent graduate, ACerS can help you succeed by offering you a FREE Associate Membership.
By becoming an ACerS Individual or Associate Member, you’ll have access to valuable resources that will benefit you now and throughout your career.