Advice from Former Officers
Treasurer
The Treasurer oversees the organization’s financial administration, reviews and enforces financial policies and procedures, and assists in drafting and presenting the next fiscal year’s budget.
Current Treasurer Moshood Agboola | 2022-2023
Former Treasurer Pierre Young | 2021-2022
Former Treasurer Victor Ayemobuwa | 2020-2021
Former Treasurer Prapti Niroula | 2019-2020
Former Treasurer Sean Duckworth | 2016-2017
WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES THAT HELPED YOU BE SUCCESSFUL?
Agboola: Leadership background, communication, patient
Young: Motivated, team player, and humorous
Ayemobuwa: Effective listening, being a team player, and being knowledgeable about the treasurer position.
Niroula: Leadership, teamwork, listening, and learning.
Duckworth: Patience, diligence, and focus. Understanding that things take time and don't happen overnight, continuing to work and stay committed, and keeping track of what needs to be done, and knowing how to prioritize are going to be some of your best friends in the job. (Additionally, engaging with your fellow officers and the staff - you're going to be spending a lot of time together and you need to all be on the same page and remember that, at the end of the day, everyone is there because of the mission and goals of the organization. This was the easiest thing because the staff are amazing and my fellow officers were as well.
WERE THERE ANY RESPONSIBILITIES YOU HAD IN YOUR OFFICER ROLE THAT YOU DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WHEN RUNNING?
Agboola: There was none. As a matter of fact, I was even interested in doing more than just the role of treasurer, but offered to attend other meetings such as chancellor meetings, committee meetings, and most importantly chairing the fiscal committee.
Young: Monthly chancellor meetings and testifying was very new to me and keeping up with being in the loop was challenging but rewarding. I made sure I left a good impression.
Ayemobuwa: None, but Chairing the Fiscal Committee was a highlight of my whole tenure.
Niroula: Chancellor meetings have definitely been one of the meetings I didn't realize we would go to every month. Working with grants is also one of the responsibilities I wasn't aware of.
Duckworth: Sitting on hiring committees and serving as the Students United representative on various committees and advisory groups - I served as one of the co-chairs of the MnSCU Policy Council, which meets for four hours every other month, as well as having the monthly meetings with the Chancellor and senior MnSCU/Minnesota State administrators - is something that you need to be prepared for. Testifying and attending legislative hearings (the latter part, in particular, are something I enjoyed) are a benefit because you get to see and hear what's going on directly and get a chance to be heard by those making the decisions. The office meetings are something that you should definitely work hard at attending because that's where a lot of the internal planning and discussion takes place.
FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING RUNNING WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THEM?
Agboola:
Keep up the momentum from your leadership experience
Be yourself, stay engaged with students from not just your own campus, but across the 7 MnSCU universities as well
Be professional and have fun.
Young: Communication is key and always speak your mind to the staff they are very helpful! Don’t think you have to do math in this role! It’s just reading financial reports which you learn a lot that gives you experience! of students united spending the budget!
Ayemobuwa:
All the help you need is around you! Be a good team player
Know the Job description.
Remember you are the face of this organization! Always be an Advocate for students.
Niroula: Be yourself and work hard. It might be hard to grasp at first but you learn a lot from it. You also learn new skills from professional staff and don't be shy to ask any questions or help from them. make sure to build a strong relationship with the board members and the staff. Also, always be prepared to advocate and work towards the betterment of all students.
Duckworth: Be ready for long hours and being able to travel across the state. Be sure you're able to commit to attending not just the board meetings but also the office meetings and all the other obligations that come with the position. Be sure you're familiar with the governing documents and what the responsibilities are. Don't forget that you're there to serve all 70,000 students in the system and that they need a strong voice to add to theirs. And enjoy and embrace every moment you can because it's truly an awesome experience.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A STUDENTS UNITED (MSUSA) OFFICER?
Agboola:
The connections with fellow students gave me so much joy because I get to listen, collect and analyze data with fellow student leaders across the 7 universities.
Leadership development opportunities
Platform to testify to decision makers about issues concerning the general student population across the 7 universities.
Young: Getting to know the staff and taking on the challenge of advocating for our students statewide. The D.C. trip will be so awesome as I have never been on the east coast before and have not been on a plane for 20 years!
Ayemobuwa: Students United shaped me all around positively, however, I will say the opportunity to grow in my service to students as well as working with my fellow officers State Chair (Jonathan) and Vice Chair ( Emma), and our wonderful Staff members are my favorite part of being a Student United Officer.
Niroula: I love our conferences. We get to meet so many students and work on what needs to be changed which is awesome. We also get to build a relationship between students from all seven schools both professionally and personally which is super cool.
Duckworth: Feeling like I was a part of something bigger than me, working for constructive change, with like-minded people, with the ability to speak with influencers and decision-makers, and both have myself and my organization respected.