Axel Kylander - President
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
This past month was a busy one at LeadMN, and in that time I was focused on several immediate concerns. Early in the month I focused on preparation for the Incoming Leader conference, including items like outreach and working with the Cabinet to ensure we were ready for evening activities. A major concern throughout the month was urging the System Office to take a more robust approach to COVID-19 vaccine education going into the fall semester, including sending a letter to the Chancellor outlining our concerns and proposed solutions, as well as meeting with leaders from the System Office to encourage measures such as hiring students to do peer-to-peer vaccine education and providing scholarships to vaccinated students.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
With the fall semester begun, I'm looking forward to many campus visits over the next month, connecting with students on topics like free college, equity and justice, basic needs, and vaccination. I think these interactions are a great opportunity to get students involved with LeadMN events or teams, as well as providing them with immediate ways to take action and sign on to these causes. Another major focus for me this month will be encouraging student leaders to apply to LeadMN and Minnesota State System committees, where they can play a critical role in the work of making higher education better in Minnesota, as well as building valuable experience in the use of their voices to represent all students.
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
I think my biggest achievement in August is a part of an achievement that falls to everyone at LeadMN, and that's a successful and fantastic Incoming Leader conference. It was our first in-person conference in over a year, and I was so glad to see it go so well and connect with so many awesome peers over the course of those two days. The conversations had both in and out of conference sessions impressed me and confirmed my confidence in this year's student leadership. Incoming Leader was a chance to set the tone and take the temperature for the rest of this year, and I'm very happy with how it went.
David Mesta - Vice President
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
Attended Incoming leader training and met with MSCF (2 year faculty) about free college and COVID-19 vaccine mandates on campuses. I held my first PC meeting of the year. I also began to work on some projects like a MinnState committee training for students who get appointed.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
I traveled to over 6 campuses tabling on our three campaigns and getting a chance to make connections with fellow students. I’m planning to reach out to more students and recruit for platform committee.
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
Got to travel to 6 campuses to hear the issues they face and recruit. And began to work on some projects.
Ali Tomashek - Public Relations Coordinator
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
As outlined in the bylaws, I have taken all LeadMN Cabinet Meeting minutes, assisted Joyce with the Scholarship Gala Committee and postponing the January event, assisted in maintaining communication between campuses by attending three welcome week events in the Northwest region, helping with promoting the Free College campaign, finalized the Star Campus criteria for 2021-2022 and presented it at Incoming Leader, texted all the attendees for Incoming Leader to express how excited we were for their participation, and helped Fatu with outreach by attending campus visits and brainstorming ideas to connect with students who are primarily virtual.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
I visited MState Moorhead, Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes during their welcome weeks. Spoke with presidents and two of those campuses about recruitment and what they would like to see from LeadMN this year. My plan moving forward is to start emailing the Presidents on September 10th to discuss Scholarship Week and NVRD, create media for NVRD that's engaging and fun, help create a video for the Free College campaign to express my personal story and get more students interested. I also plan to promote the September conference via email and text.
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
My biggest achievement this month was attending all three campus visits and three interviews for the new Comms director. Planning, staying motivated and maintaining a good attitude kept me going. I was really nervous at first, but Fatu helped ease my nerves by talking to the first few students that arrived at our table and in no time I was asking students about their degrees and ambitions for the future, it was inspiring. At Fergus Falls I felt fulfilled that we received over 20 signatures for the Free College petition and brainstormed new ideas to reach students with Mike. I got to have two great conversations with the campus President, John, and got to know him and his campus environment and interests more. When I visited Moorhead I was blown away by how many students were on campus and how interactive Student Life and Student Leadership were, it was a pleasure to talk with Taylor about her aspirations for her Senate and her future education.
Marcelus Ifonlaja - Treasurer
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
This month I have become comfortable with my roles and responsibilities as treasurer. We made it through our first conference of the year, as well as through welcome week. Our student leaders are getting paid for their contributions and I've developed a great rhythm with my current fiscal committee as well as with our accountant.
The emergency grant program continues to see applicants, a few of which I had the opportunity to engage directly during our welcome week tour.
I am grateful to have to opportunity to step up and become a member of the equity team in my role, and while I am new to the team I plan to learn as much as possible quickly so I can leverage whatever resources available to make a difference.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
Tabling during welcome week was amazing. I personally spoke with at least 100 students and raised awareness of our organization, what we do, and ways to get involved. I also got to engage 3 different student senates and offer myself as well as the team as a resource to them. After all, strong senates are a goal and the backbone of a strong LeadMN.
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
My biggest achievement this month is easily the ability to return to my home campus and engage students there, both as a representative of LeadMN and as a former Student Senate member there. The authenticity in everything I was able to bring back to those students reminded me why we work hard to do what we do. I also had the opportunity to engage with Senator Tina Smith while there and talk about the importance of Mental Health resources on campus. Something I've been looking to attack since my term as president back at Saint Paul College.
Madeline Copeman - Platform Committee Representative
What progress have you made on your GC or PC duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
In August I attended the Student Leadership Summit.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
Our plan is to do more networking at marketing on our campus this year.
What is happening on the campuses in your region?
The ARP funds were recently disbursed to Minnesota State Campuses so they are distributing those funds as they see fit. My specific campus is going to do as much as we possible can to recruit students to join clubs, the Senate, and LeadMN. We have plans set in place to communicate with the students and keep them engaged.
What are you doing to help get new students involved?
Our plan is to do more networking at marketing on our campus this year.
Chelsea Birasa - Platform Committee Representative
What progress have you made on your GC or PC duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
I attended the Incoming Leader Training.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
I created a survey to learn about different issues that different students are facing on their campuses and create a list of students interested in attending events held by LeadMN as well as help students learn about resources offered by LeadMN such as emergency grants.
What is happening on the campuses in your region?
Spartan Welcome Days which includes how to navigate and locate MState resources, familiarize with college for new students, games and virtual entertainment.
What are you doing to help get new students involved?
During these first weeks of school on my campus, the MState Student Government Association(SGA) we have been encouraging new and returning students to join the SGA.
Cody Gunsalus - Platform Committee Representative
What progress have you made on your GC or PC duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
I went down to the LeadMN main office, met the incoming student leaders, and saw what direction the LeadMN agenda is heading this year.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
Talking to students in the NW region about trying LeadMN, be part of something bigger than themselves.
What is happening on the campuses in your region?
Starting conversations about free college and mental health.
What are you doing to help get new students involved?
Currently I am starting local but once September conference has started I will have a better direction on where to go.