Our Team.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Since 1967, Students United has been student led. The Board of Directors is made up of seven voting members, who serve as Student Body Presidents at their respective Minnesota State University campus.
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 1st, to the end of June the following year.
If the student body president cannot serve for any reason, they are able to appoint an individual from their university to serve in their place.
For more information on how our board functions, its committees, or this year’s meeting minutes, please click here.
2026-2027 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Faaliha Mohamed Prem Navaz | She/Her
State Chair | Metro State University
About Faaliha: As a Cybersecurity student completing my combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, I chose Metro State for its amazing cyber program and practical Cyber Clinic opportunities. Having moved from India to the U.S. a decade ago, I draw on my diverse background to connect with and serve our student body. Outside of school, I recharge my creativity through painting and fueling up on coffee!
What Faaliha's Passionate About: I am deeply passionate about healthcare equity and fixing the financial burdens created by mandatory, high-cost university health insurance policies. As an international student, I want to advocate for fairer, more transparent healthcare options for all students.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus?: The biggest challenge facing Metro State students is the threat of continuous tuition increases that add heavy financial strain on our working and adult learner populations. I am committed to fighting for a fully funded statewide tuition freeze so higher education remains truly affordable and accessible for every student on our campus.
Fun Fact About Faaliha: A fun fact about me is that I’m a big cat person!
Tushar Joshi | He/Him
Vice Chair | St. Cloud State University
About Tushar: I’m originally from Nepal, but after spending the past three years in St. Cloud and attending St. Cloud State University, I’ve come to call St. Cloud home. In my free time, I enjoy chatting with my peers, playing games, making music, and spending time with friends. I’m always up for a good conversation, a new idea, or probably a joke at the wrong time.
What Tushar's Passionate About: I'm passionate about tuition, and ensuring our campuses are affordable for current and future students.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus?: I believe the biggest issue is that students are not always getting a return on their investment by attending a university. I want to make sure students graduate, and find ways to apply what they've learned to their careers.
Fun Fact About Tushar: I love sarcastic jokes and music!
Deepika Gautam | She/Her
Treasurer | St. Cloud State University
About Deepika: I am a Nepali student attending St. Cloud State University who loves to dance, make movies, raise cats and empower women in tech.
What Deepika's Passionate About: I am passionate about making higher education more affordable and accessible for students. I am especially interested in addressing unnecessary financial burdens, such as limited flexibility with student health insurance and additional costs for required accelerated courses.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus?: At St. Cloud State University, I see affordability as a major issue, especially when students face additional costs beyond regular tuition, such as health insurance and accelerated course fees. These expenses can make it harder for students to stay enrolled and complete their degrees on time.
Fun Fact About Deepika: I raised one whole generation of cats at home.
Jonathan Fleischer | He/Him
Bemidji State University
About Jonathan: I originally came to BSU as a Wildlife Biology major, but as I started to become more interested in working with my local community I decided to switch to Environmental Communication as it offers more opportunities to engage with the community and local government. After I graduate, I hope to work in the Bemidji area either in local politics or in conservation/environmental science.
What Jonathan's Passionate About: I care a lot about ensuring that students get a voice in all decisions made on the university level, including tuition, hiring and search committees for high level positions, strategic direction, creation/removal of academic programs and more.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus?: Tuition, affordability, and basic needs! Everyone
Fun Fact About Jonathan: I love to travel, and I've been to 37 US states, and Washington D.C.!
Brett King | He/Him
Metro State University
About Brett: I chose MAPL (Masters of Advocacy and Political Leadership) at Metro State University because 4 of my great aunts got their degrees through metro state. Metro is a family tradition. I really enjoy the professors willing to go above and beyond to help students accomplish their goals and dreams.
What Brett's Passionate About:
I'm passionate about advocating for and helping justice impacted individuals navigate complex systems.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus?:
Students being misinformed and under supported by financial aid staff on campus. We need to ensure our campuses have functioning financial aid offices, and that our offices have the resources necessary to support our students.
Fun Fact About Brett:
I sing the the traditional big drum with the drum group Painted Spirit
Chase Hiber | He/Him
Minnesota State University – Mankato
About Chase: I’m a very typical college student I eat more cheap ramen than I should, and oversleep as much as the next guy. I came to Mankato to get away from home and spread my wings a bit and I couldn’t be happier that I did.
What Chase's Passionate About:
College is getting too expensive it’s important we do everything we can to keep college affordable for everyone.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus?: The biggest issue Mankato and the seven Minnesota State Universities is aging infrastructure. Armstrong Hall at Mankato has been desperately in need of replacement for years.
Fun Fact About Chase:
I’ve been lucky enough to travel to 23 countries in my life.
Olivia Johnson | She/Her
Minnesota State University – Moorhead
About Olivia: All the way from the southeast corner in the great city of Lisbon, ND, I choose to jaunt up to Moorhead Minnesota to pursues a degree in Digital Media Management. Outside of being a student, I can be found thrifting, hanging out with my friends and family, or exploring my love of company brand strategies!
What Olivia's Passionate About: I’m passionate about making college campus feel like a supportive community and learning environment for all. Everyone should have the ability to make their college experience be more than a degree.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus:
I believe students need a better understanding of how we are utilizing AI. Learning that it is not a competitor, but a tool for us to uplift our careers and education.
Fun Fact About Olivia: I am terrified on giraffes, one licked my face once when I was 3 and I can’t look at them the same now.
John Haler | He/Him
Southwest Minnesota State University
About John: I chose SMSU because of the tight-knight and welcoming campus community that has allowed me to get to know people all around my school, regardless of major. Aside from school, I am an avid lifter and Seahawks fan who enjoys spending time with my friends and family. I am also passionate about advocating for students and fighting against the issues that affect all of us!
What John's Passionate About: I am passionate about keeping flock cameras and other Automated License Plate Readers/AI Surveillance Cameras off Minnesota state campuses.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus: The biggest issues currently affecting students is the poor quality of state-mandated menstrual products, lack of nutritious food on campus, and poor quality housing, especially here at SMSU. Students with access to basic needs like food, housing, and personal care are more likely to stay in school and graduate. Minnesota State Universities enroll large numbers of low-income and first-generation students– ensuring students have what they need to earn their degrees is incredibly important!
Fun Fact About John: I am learning Spanish!
Prophete Isingizwe | He/Him
St. Cloud State University
About Prophete: I came to St. Cloud State from Kigali, Rwanda and chose SCSU for a degree in Computer Science. In my first semester, I joined the Student Senate as a way to get involved and help advocate. I am a firm believer that with right opportunity and access to resources everyone can do great and that it's important that people (students) are part of the decision making process of all the decision that affect them. When I am not championing for student needs, I like take some time off on a pool table, online gaming and hanging out with friends.
What Prophete's Passionate About: I’m passionate about working towards better education and awareness among international students in regard to healthcare and health insurance.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus:
I
see the biggest issue as rising cost of tuition and a lack of representation for students at decision making tables.
Fun Fact About Prophete: I am learning my fifth language and would like to learn seven languages!
Brooklyn Bothe | She/Her
Winona State University
About Brooklyn:
I chose Winona State because of its beauty. I love the driftless area and spending time in the Winona community. Those two things have made Winona, Minnesota feel like home for me!
What Brooklyn's Passionate About:
I am very passionate about higher education representation. I think students need to have a real seat at the table when decisions are being made about their education, their money, and their future.
What's the Biggest Issue on Campus:
Lack of state funding. When the state does not invest enough in higher education, that cost gets pushed onto students through tuition hikes, fewer resources, and less support for basic needs like housing and food.
Fun fact About Brooklyn:
I am from Wisconsin!
