Who is Students United?
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.
Our students are working to create inclusive, student-led, higher education policies that make a positive impact on students and our communities.
Will you join them and give a gift to support their work today?
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
Equity and inclusion
Thought leaders
Next level thinking
United leadership
Tangible advocacy
Diversity
Student leadership
History
Established in 1967, Students United is an independent, non-profit 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.
Our team
Our team is made up of a board of directors and full-time staff. Our board is entirely made up of students; three board officers and the student body presidents from each university. The board sets the vision for, and governs the organization. The staff works around the clock to fight for students’ needs. They exist to execute the vision of the board.
Staff
Thomas Anderson [he/him]
Executive Director
Thomas attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where he graduated with a degree in Political Science and Communication Studies. Shortly after graduation he decided to pursue a career in education and returned to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where he earned his M.Ed from the College of Education and Human Development. After reading Students United mission, vision, and values, he knew that he wanted to be a part of Students United. Thomas loves being able to help elevate student voices in the higher education policy arena.
tanderson@studentsunited.org
Kalista Mangahas [she/her]
aSSOCIATE eXECUTIVE DIRECTOR [she/her]
Kalista Mangahas is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead where she received her degree in Communications. She started working at Students United in June 2016 as the Office Manager and in June 2018 became the Director of Operations. Kalista is excited to be given the opportunity to work with passionate, student leaders and will continue to advocate on their behalf. Prior to working for Students United, Kalista worked at a local news station in Fargo, ND. When she is not out planning Students United events, advocating for students, or doing operational tasks, you can find Kalista hidden away in a blanket fort watching an uncomfortable amount of HGTV or strolling the streets of St. Paul.
kmangahas@studentsunited.org
Ben Reimler [he/him]
Director of Government Relations
Ben attended Winona State University, where he graduated with degrees in Public Administration and Legal Studies. Since graduating, Ben has worked in electoral politics at the federal level and across two agencies in the Walz administration. He is excited to bring these experiences to bear on behalf of advocating for students’ interests. Beyond his role at Students United, Ben enjoys running and biking around the Grand Rounds in Minneapolis, reading, and commiserating about Minnesota sports.
breimler@studentsunited.org
Dr. Meg Bartlett-Chase [she/her]
Director of Student Leadership & Equity
Meg earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in Psychology. She then worked as a sex educator and crisis counselor for several years before deciding to continue her education at the University of Iowa in Education Policy & Leadership Studies. She completed her M.A. in 2020 and completed her Ph.D. in November of 2022. She is passionate about finding new ways to empower students to use their voices for social change and self-advocacy. Outside of Students United, Meg loves to spoil her dog Archie, keep a respectful distance from her cat Barney, and visit local bookstores!
MBARTLETTCHASE@STUDENTSUNITED.ORG
Connor Newby [he/him]
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Connor graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. He got involved with Student United his junior year through his student senate and later became part of the board of directors his senior year. Connor is excited to be able to continue helping students advocate for the issues that are important to them. Beyond Students United, Connor enjoys playing way to many video games and hanging out with his dogs Dante and Wallace.
operations@studentsunited.org
Samantha Raghu [she/her]
System & University Relations Coordinator
Samantha graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2021 where she earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology/Anthropology. Prior to Students United, Samantha was involved in secondary education through several of her teaching assistantships and fellowship roles where she taught 8th-grade Algebra and elements of the natural sciences. Her interest in advocacy and higher education policy was sparked after completing a Capitol Pathways Fellowship where she worked as a Public Policy Intern at a local nonprofit. Samantha is excited to work alongside her team members and to serve the Minnesota State students as they advocate for and create a just and inclusive higher education environment. Aside from Students United, Samantha also loves reading, listening to podcasts, and going to coffee shops!
Sraghu@STUDENTSUNITED.ORG
Kaileigh Weber [she/her]
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR
Kaileigh attended Winona State University, where she graduated with degrees in Political Science and Public Administration. During her time at WSU, she was involved with several student organizations on campus including Students United. Through this work, her passion for advocacy only grew. Kaileigh is excited to continue connecting with students and alumni in this position. Outside of Students United she likes to hang out with her dog and friends, read, watch tv, and be outdoors!
kweber@STUDENTSUNITED.ORG
Ryan Featherstone [he/him]
Public Relations Coordinator
Ryan graduated from Performers College in Corringham, UK, with a National Diploma in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. He then went on to have a career in live theater for over ten years. Ryan then attended the University of Missouri, where he graduated with a degree in Communication. He has worked in communication and public relations for non-profits, managed Rep. Jess Hanson’s successful 2022 campaign for the Minnesota House, and worked in the Minnesota House DFL Media Department. Ryan is passionate about social, digital, and traditional media and works to ensure students have the best shot at presenting their arguments to the public. Outside of Students United, Ryan enjoys spending time with his two cats, Diane and Trish, going to the theater, and continues to work on completing his Pokédex.
Rfeatherstone@studentsunited.org
Board
Students United is a 501c3 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.
FY24 Officers
State Chair | Marwah Asif | she/her
Email Marwah
Vice Chair | Mohammad Sameer Khan | he/him
Email Mohammad
Treasurer | Kendra Draeger | she/her
Email Kendra
FY24 Board of Directors
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
Sarah Kessler | she/her
METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Lim Chan | he/him
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO
Sierra Roiger | she/her
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MOORHEAD
Nora Simondet | she/her
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
Arslan Malik | he/him
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Sam Lund | he/him
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Liz Carman | she/her
Board Committees
The board has the ability to create and end any of its committees. Currently, the board has four standing committees. All committees are advisory committees to the board and have no power outside of their abilities to provide input and suggestions directly to the board.
Delegates Assembly Committee . . .
This committee makes recommendations regarding the Students’ Platform and mission statement; makes recommendations regarding proposed amendments to the Students United Bylaws, Policies and Procedures Manual, and Financial Policies; and makes recommendations regarding the next fiscal year’s budget.
Internal Affairs Advisory Committee. . .
This committee is responsible for reviewing the Board of Director’s governing documents; providing guidance, ideas, and recommendations on issues being discussed by the board and/or requested by the board; and annually reviewing progress on the strategic plan and providing relevant input and ideas.
Legislative Priorities Advisory Committee . . .
This committee is responsible for providing guidance, ideas, and recommendations on Students United’s state and federal legislative advocacy; providing space for committee members to discuss shared legislative topics of interest; reviewing Students United’s state and federal legislative advocacy progress and providing input; recommending state and federal legislative advocacy annual program outcomes for the following year; discussing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access issues at the legislative level; and discussing environmental and sustainability issues at the legislative level.
System Priorities Advisory Committee . . .
This committee is responsible for providing guidance, ideas, and recommendations on Students United’s system-level advocacy; providing space for committee members to discuss shared system-level topics of interest; reviewing Students United’s system-level advocacy progress and providing input; recommending system-level advocacy annual program outcomes for the following year; discussing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access issues at the system level; and discussing environmental and sustainability issues at the system level.
Interested in joining?
If you are enrolled in any of our seven Minnesota State universities, you can email your board member to express interest in a committee or multiple committees.
Scholarship & Alumni Advisory Board
Students United has an advisory board to its Board of Directors who aid in choosing scholarship recipients, supporting fundraising efforts, and sponsoring alumni events. Below are the individuals who serve on this board.
