During April Delegates, our 2017-2018 officers were elected. To get to know them better, we asked them to write a bit about themselves. We are excited for our new leaders to begin their terms July 1, 2017. Our first officer to introduce herself is Vice Chair-Elect Lexi Byler from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

vice chair - lexi byler

My journey to the Minnesota State system and specifically, Minnesota State University Moorhead, is a little unique. After considering some schools from my home state of Wisconsin, I was alarmed by the choices our governor had made and came to the decision that our friendly neighbor, Minnesota, did a better job at supporting higher education.

I’ll be graduating with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Sports Communication in May. After that, I’ll be pursuing a certificate in Project Management online. I’m heavily involved on campus, having been the captain of my rugby team, the president of the Black Student Union, the Diversity Chair of our Student Senate, and the Diversity Specialists on our Students United Campus Committee.

The first time I became directly involved with Students United is when I attended the Delegates Assembly in February 2016. It was the first time I was able to interact with students from all seven state universities and loved every second of it. During the summer, I was asked to apply for the position of Diversity Specialist and have enjoyed being in that role throughout this academic year.

Now in this new role as Vice Chair, I hope to channel the passion that is already instilled in me to continue advocating for student needs. I’m excited to not only advocate and work to represent my own campus, but to represent all of the students in the state university system. I look forward to learning and better understanding the unique needs of each campus and also to find common themes to advocate for state-wide changes that can create a better experience for the students we represent.