Join us for 2 days of advocacy training, professional development, and community building– exclusively for Minn State Students
Ever wondered how to write a speech? Lobby an elected official for change you want to see? Or how about effective community organizing strategies? Come and learn from professionals in the field, national and local organizations on November 7th-8th!
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Students from the 7 Minnesota State Universities are invited to attend our 2 day conference at North Hennepin Community College!
Dinners and hotel rooms will be provided. Only 12 tickets per campus- so sign up fast!
Check out the full conference schedule below:
Day 1 Schedule (Friday, November 7th)
Scones and Student Loans – 10AM-12PM
Registration begins – 1:00PM-2:00PM
Snacks, refreshments available
Welcome Address – 2:00-2:25PM
Paul Shepherd
Students United and Lead MN State Chair & President
Chancellor Olson Welcome Video
Breakout Sessions Round 1 – 2:30-3:25PM
​​Advocacy 101: Dive into the basic tenets of advocacy and their applications and gain an understanding of individual and group power in affecting change.
Find Your Voice in Public Speaking: Overcome anxiety around public speaking and develop a confident speaking style. This workshop provides techniques to enhance your presence, improve public speaking skills, and communicate with impact.
Overcoming Barriers to Change: Creating change doesn’t come without its limitations. Learn how to push past the barriers to create change in your community while maintaining positive partnerships.
Art and Craft of Storytelling: Learn storytelling techniques and frameworks to identify, craft, and share your story. Whether you are interested in writing your own story, crafting a story for a project, or creating stories to inspire action, this course will develop your skills in organizing, describing, and writing your narrative.
From Campus to Capitol - Navigating State Government to Support Higher Education:
In this session, participants will learn about how state universities are funded and how students can play a leading role at the Capitol and on campus.
Mark Grant is a graduate of Minnesota State University Mankato, where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's degree. He has built a diverse career in marketing, advertising, and education - working in major cities across the globe including Minneapolis, Portugal, Madrid, and London. With 27 years of experience teaching Communication Studies in the Minnesota State college system, Mark has a deep passion for higher education. Currently, he also serves as the Director of Governmental Relations for Minnesota State College Faculty, where he advocates for the needs of faculty and students at the state level.
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Information Session on the Capitol Pathways Program with Citizen's League Executive Director Joke Loesch:
The Capitol Pathways Program: Capitol Pathways is a program for students of color interested in public service at the state capitol. This session will provide an opportunity for interested students to talk directly to students who have participated in the program and learn about the application process.
Jake Loesch joined the Citizens League as Executive Director in September 2023. Jake’s professional experience closely mirrors the League’s work: leaning into complex conversations, encouraging healthy debate among differing viewpoints, and working toward achievable solutions. He has worked at nearly all levels of government and built broad coalitions to engage diverse audiences and find common ground, most recently leading communications and public engagement at the Minnesota Department of Transportation
Building your Power: From Idea to Action Making Change at the Minnesota Capitol with Ed Allies' Executive Director Josh Crosson
Change doesn’t happen overnight! In this session, Ed Allies Executive Director Josh Crosson will share insights into multi-year campaigns to make meaningful policy change at the Capitol and beyond.
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As Executive Director, Josh leads the organization’s efforts to ensure that all Minnesota students, especially those from historically underserved communities, have access to an excellent education. Josh began his career in Washington, D.C., where he turned his passion for public policy and systems change into a fulfilling vocation. He first worked at the Human Rights Campaign, where he spearheaded student outreach initiatives and expanded the organization’s mission to include LGBTQ+ students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Josh then spent five years on Capitol Hill, writing legislation and advising his hometown congressman, Rep. Adam Smith (WA-9), on critical issues such as labor, healthcare, budget, and tax policy.
Know Your Tenant Rights with HOME Line's Supervising Attorney Amarilis Shick: Many college students are renters who face unfair and unlawful treatment. This session will cover the specific protections you have as a renter and how you can advocate for yourself if a landlord is breaking the law.
Amarilis is a Supervising Attorney for HOME Line, serving both English and Spanish speaking callers. She has ample experience working as a trial attorney in housing court, a translator, a union organizer, and on hotlines both in Boston, MA and the Twin Cities. A native of Puerto Rico, she has a BA in International Relations from Boston University, and a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Her legal areas of interest include Employment, Landlord/Tenant, and Immigration Law.
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Keynote Speaker: Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten – 3:30-4:25PM
Policy & Advocacy Presentation – 4:30-6:00PM
Dinner – 6:00PM–8:00PM
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the conference be held?
The conference is held at North Hennepin Community College: 7411 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
What time does the conference start?
Registration opens at 1:00PM and lasts until 2:00PM. Students should show up as soon as they are able before registration closes. Welcome speeches and introductions begin at 2:ooPM sharp.
Prior to the start of the conference on November 7, students are invited to join us for Scones and Student Loans. Scones and Student Loans is in partnership with Protect Borrowers, a national organization dedicated to protecting loan borrowers across the country.
Scones and Student Loans is an opportunity to talk through issues impacting borrowers at the federal level, and practical action states can take to support student loan borrowers.
What should I wear to the conference?
We strongly recommend students come wearing professional attire.
What If I can no longer make the conference?
If you can't make the conference, no worries! Please let us know as soon as possible that you are unable to make the conference. We will have a waitlist of students who can take your spot. You can let us know at info@studentsunited.org, with the subject line 'Advocacy in Action 2025'