written by || lexi byler; Director of Public Relations
Saying, “I love Students United” feels like an understatement, but I don’t think there’s any stronger language to describe how I feel about this organization. My journey with Students United started in 2016 when we were still called Minnesota State Universities Student Association (MSUSA). In February of that year, I participated in my first Delegates Assembly meeting, representing Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). Later that year, I joined the Campus Committee as a Diversity Specialist. At the time, I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into, apart from working on equity and inclusion issues – something I’ve always been deeply passionate about.
To learn more about my experience as a student, read my Vice Chair introduction blog
Lexi with U.S. Senator Tina Smith
I graduated in 2017 with a degree in Integrated Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Sports Communication. Shortly before graduating, I was elected to be the Vice Chair of Students United and decided to pursue an online certificate in project management at MSUM.
Near the end of my term as Vice Chair, I was hired in U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s office in St. Paul, as a Staff Assistant and Intern Coordinator. I was later promoted to be the Senator’s Press Assistant and Intern Coordinator. I had a wonderful time working in the Senator’s office and serving Minnesotans. I’m endlessly thankful and appreciative of the valuable experience the Senator’s office provided me and look forward to using the skills I obtained in my new role with Students United.
For the rest of my introductory blog, I thought I would have a little fun! Since the blog is being published on my birthday and I'm turning 26, I thought I’d share 26 facts with you:
Costa Rica, 2016
1. I taught myself to juggle so I would have a fun fact
2. My favorite color is sunset orange (otherwise known as Coral)
3. My first car was a 1993 Ford Taurus
4. I’m afraid of birds – they can fly, which is a distinct advantage!
5. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to 7 countries: New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Canada, and Ireland
Dexter (L), Suka (R)
6. My top five favorite foods are (not in ranking order): sushi, spaghetti, chicken wings, cornbread, and cheese
7. My guilty pleasure is watching every season of ABC’s The Bachelor and Bachelorette
8. Something on my bucket list is getting my skydiving license
9. My dream job is to do communications for NASA or Red Bull
10. I have two cats named Dexter and Suka
NSCRO National Championship, 2015
11. My favorite ice cream is butter pecan
12. I can do a really good Australian accent
13. My favorite Olympic sports are hockey, swimming, and snowboarding
14. I have four tattoos– one of them is the Students United logo!
15. I grew up playing hockey but won a national championship in rugby during college
16. My favorite underrated singer is Nao
17. I once randomly ran into and met Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy
18. I don’t just believe in Aliens – I believe it’s a fact they exist
19. Some amazing concerts I’ve been to include: Beyoncé, J. Cole, Nao, Coldplay, JoJo, Alessia Cara and The Jonas Brothers
20. I played the trombone from 6th through 12th grade and taught myself to play guitar and piano
21. I have Osgood-Schlatter Disease in my left knee, a childhood repetitive use injury that causes a painful lump below the kneecap – never stopped me from playing sports though!
Long Lake, Aitkin, MN
22. I co-founded MSUM’s Black Student Union and served as the president for three years
23. My favorite cartoon growing up was Rugrats
24. My most distinct ethnicities are: 25% Norwegian, 18% Nigerian, 15% Swedish, 15% England/Wales/Northwestern Europe, and 10% Cameroon/Congo/Southern Bantu Peoples
25. I’m training for a relay triathlon – I'll be doing the swimming portion of the race
26. My cabin in Aitkin, Minnesota is my “happy place”
I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little bit! I can’t overstate enough how excited I am to be back with Students United and working for Minnesota State university students again. I’ll end this blog the same way I ended my Vice Chair farewell blog – I'll always have our student’s backs.