We are excited to introduce our 2023-2024 Community Leader Fellowship cohort. Our fellows are current students at one of the seven Minnesota State Universities.
The Community Leader Fellowship is an academic-year experience that centers student empowerment, voice, and changemaking by fostering student growth to help them become leaders who make an impact in their fields of interest. The Community Leader Fellowship contains two major strands: student development and an internship placement.
Jessica Weis (She/Her)
Winona State University
Major: Public Relations
Minor: Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
What do you hope to get out of the CLF program? I hope to learn more about the impact public relations can have on an organization and how to increase engagement on social media. I hope to gain more knowledge about nonprofits in general.
Fun fact: I am a certified advocate for domestic violence survivors in the state of Minnesota, and I have deaf parents.
Mirza Shehroz (He/Him)
St. Cloud State University
Major: Information Systems
Minor: Statistics
What do you hope to get out of the CLF program? I am looking for community and network building with Students United.
Fun Fact: I have slits on both of my eyebrows.
Bilal Ahmad (He/Him)
St. Cloud State University
Major: Statistics
What do you hope to get out of the CLF program? I hope to get experience in working for a non-profit, and my own professional development. Also, I am very interested to find out more about the workings between the State and Students United, plus higher education inclusivity is one cause that I would very much like to get behind and support.
Fun fact: I have three cats, and I love to cook for people.
Andrea Valencia (She/Her)
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Major: Political Science and Criminal Justice
What do you hope to get out of the CLF program? One of the main things that I hope to gain out of this fellowship is to learn new skills that will help lead to long-term success in my career! I also want to network more throughout my time at Students United.
Fun-fact: I absolutely love the fall. Personally, it’s not too cold or hot for me and I enjoy the warm colors that come with the season.
Jessica Bohl (She/Her)
Southwest Minnesota State University
Major: Social Work
What do you hope to get out of the CLF program? More connections and networking.
Fun fact: My favorite band is The Beach Boys.
Bimala Ranabhat (She/Her)
Minnesota State University Mankato
Major: Finance
What do you hope to get out of the CLF program? I am looking to contribute some ideas and vision that I carry as a finance student and help Students United make some changes to financial literacy policies and also network and build up relationships.
Fun fact: I love talking!