top of page

About Us

Copy of Untitled Design (2).png

ABOUT US

Established in 1967, Students United is an independent, nonprofit organization funded and operated by students. Students United serves over 65,000 students attending Minnesota's seven state universities: Bemidji, Mankato, Metropolitan (St. Paul/Minneapolis), Moorhead, St. Cloud, Southwest (Marshall) and Winona.

Students United has been a strong voice for state university students on the campus, system, state and federal levels for over 50 years. The organization is recognized by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees as the sole representative of state university students in Minnesota, and work on a variety of issues at several levels.

15.png
Metro (6).png

MISSION

Led by Minnesota State University students, we are the inclusive voice for all future, current, and former students. We actively work to represent and support Minnesota State University students and advocate at a local, system, state, and federal level for higher education policies that make a positive impact for our students and communities.

VISION

Our vision is to create the model of inclusive higher education policies and leadership. Our goal is to ensure higher education is rooted in student voices and student needs. Student leaders at all decision-making tables strengthen student advocacy, which creates a more robust higher education system and community. 

VALUES [STUDENTS]

Student voice

Thought leaders

United leadership

Diversity

Equity and inclusion

Next level thinking

Tangible advocacy

Student leadership

2026-2027 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 

Students United is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a Board of Directors. The board is composed of seven voting members, who are the student body presidents of their respective Minnesota State universities. If the student body president cannot serve for any reason, they are able to appoint an individual to serve in their place.

The board also has three officers:
State Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, who are elected by the outgoing Board of Directors. The board serves on a one-year term that runs from July to the end of June the following year.

For more information on how our board functions, its committees, or this year’s meeting minutes, please click here.

Faaliha Prem Navaz.png

Faaliha Mohamed Prem Navaz
She/Her
State Chair



 

Tushar Joshi.png

Tushar Joshi
He/Him

Vice Chair

Deepika Gautam.png

Deepika Gautam
She/Her

Treasurer/Secretary

JJ Fleischer.png

Jonathan Fleischer | He/Him
Bemidji State University

Chase Hiber

Chase Hiber | He/Him

Minnesota State University 
Mankato

Brett King.png

Brett King | He/Him

Metro State University

Olivia Johnson.png

Olivia Johnson | She/Her

Minnesota State University
Moorhead

Prophete Isingizwe.png

Prophete Isingizwe | He/Him
St. Cloud State University

John Haler.png

John Haler | He/Him

Southwest Minnesota
State University

Brooklyn Bothe.png

Brooklyn Bothe | She/Her
Winona State University

OUR STAFF

Dr. Patrick Duffy.png

Dr. Patrick Duffy | He/Him
Executive Director

Kalista Mangahas.png

Kalista Mangahas | She/Her

Associate Executive Director

Dr. Meg Bartlet-Chase.png

Dr. Meg Bartlet-Chase | She/Her

Director of Programs

Jess Khan.png

Jess Khan | She/Her

Development Director

Ellie Benson.png

Ellie Benson | She/They
Office Manager

Molly DuBois.png

Molly DuBois | She/Her

Student Leadership & 
Engagement Manager

Adam Thompson.png

Adam Thompson | He/Him

Campus Relations Manager

Grant Berg.png

Grant Berg | He/Him

Communications Director

2026-2027 COMMUNITY LEADER FELLOWS

Joyanna.png

Joyanna VanBruggen | She/Her
Bemidji State University

Zahara.png

Zahara Osman | She/Her

Minnesota State University
Mankato

Andre.png

Andre Anderson | He/Him

Metro State University

Ella.png

Ella Bednarek | She/They

Minnesota State University 
Moorhead

Ruqiya.png

Ruqiya Maalim | She/Her
St. Cloud State University

Jaden.png

Jaden Jay | She/Her

Southwest Minnesota 
State University

Sariha.png

Sariha Khaled | She/Her

Winona State University

bottom of page