Why are you interested in this specific officer position? . . .

I enjoy being able to coordinate the goals of numerous groups in order to meet the needs and wants of each. I also like hearing about the diverse struggles that each university has and seeing what resources are currently in place at other schools that can be translated over and supporting that process. The top reason though is that I have been extremely honored to serve the students of Mankato and being able to advocate for them has been really rewarding, and as much as I would love to serve another term, I believe that is an opportunity that more students should have and I believe the State Chair position would provide the same benefit of being able to advocate for students, but on a larger scale.

Please describe your understanding of Students United and this officer position. . . .

The state chair is the position that truly coordinates the advocacy efforts of the board with the support of the staff. This position also serves as a support of the board members when there are individualistic campus issues that they may need help finding creative solutions for. The State Chair, at the core, is responsible for carrying out the vision of the organization and the goals and priorities as they are set by the board of directors and it also carries out various administrative tasks such as chairing the meetings, attending staff check-ins, and more. As the State Chair, it would not be my place to decide these but I would be ready to push for those priorities as directed by the board.

What goals do you have for this position and/or for Students United? . . .

My goal is to expand this positions support of the board and the communication that happens between the Board of Directors and the students, legislators, MinnState System, and staff of Students United. Additionally, I have found there are common concerns between our campuses, but as a board member, it can be difficult coordinating either a meeting with each other or conversations about the solutions or paths forward. I would look to have a more hands-on approach coming up with creative solutions to some of these concerns. There are also times where it seems the State Chair is an administrative role, but I think there is the potential for there to be time dedicated in this position to create new pathways for board members to collaborate with the support of the executive director, and to take on other various projects throughout the year.

Why are you interested in this specific officer position? . . .

As my tenure as Community Leader Fellow comes soon to an end, I have had a chance to understand how a non-profit works, what it means to be a part of vocal voice advocating for change at every level and I hope to bring more to table with my developing leadership skills with better understanding of MinnState System.

Please describe your understanding of Students United and this officer position. . . .

Student's United is a student union of all 7 Minnesota State Universities. Student's United is always advocating for better higher education policies that impacts students all across MinnState. Specifically this officer positon of "Treasurer/Secretary" is an immense role among the officer, one has to deal with tasks such as; Assisting all the other officers, board of directors and staff in financial aspect. Be part of monthly board meetings, Attend all events, Assist with follow-up emails, etc.

What goals do you have for this position and/or for Students United? . . .

I delved deeper into the financial aspects of Students United, actively seeking guidance and insights from fellow Officers, the Board of Directors, and staff members. This initiative was driven by a desire to understand and contribute to the financial decision-making processes, enhancing my knowledge and application of financial policies and strategies within the organization.

I leveraged the qualities I possess—such as teamwork, efficiency, and attention to detail—especially in interactions with the Board of Directors. My goal was to contribute positively and effectively to discussions and decision-making processes, ensuring that my involvement added value and supported the organization's objectives.

I dedicated myself to working on agendas set by the Board of Directors that aimed at making a positive impact within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState) system. By focusing on these priorities, I sought to contribute to meaningful changes and improvements that would benefit the broader educational community.

Through these efforts, I not only aimed to grow personally and professionally but also to contribute substantially to the mission of Students United, making a meaningful difference in the MinnState system..

Is there anything else you would like the Board of Directors, and the public, to know? . . .

Taking an initiative is all it takes to bring a change. My inclination towards this role stems from a clear understanding of the responsibilities it entails and the role I would play in advocacy and contributing to meaningful change. This insight, gained through my experiences, positions me to actively engage and make a significant impact within the organization.