48th Annual Dr. Michael T. Fagin Pan African Conference Opens Feb. 29 in the CSU

48th Annual Dr. Michael T. Fagin Pan African Conference Opens Feb. 29 in the CSU

Nadia Mohamed, the first Black mayor of St. Louis Park, Minn., will be this year’s keynote speaker as the 48th annual Dr. Michael T. Fagin Pan African Conference, returns to Minnesota State University, Mankato Thursday and Friday, Feb. 29 and March 1.
One of the University’s long-standing traditions, the annual conference in the Centennial Student Union was established by Dr. Michael T. Fagin and invites participants to “explore how they are cultivating, nurturing and affirming safe spaces and groups as a collective form of resistance, transformation and reclamation.”

BEST Board S’24: Stomper Bookcase Project was Real-World Experience for Joseph Roeser

BEST Board S’24: Stomper Bookcase Project was Real-World Experience for Joseph Roeser

For Joseph Roeser, one of eight Spring 2024 BEST Board honorees, the crowning moment of his college career was creating and completing the Stomper Bookcase Project which launched a project for placing children’s books on established bookcases in Mankato area laundromats. For Joseph, it was just part of a lifetime of memories formed as a member of his Sigma Nu fraternity.

Mavericks Sweep NSIC Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Week Awards

Mavericks Sweep NSIC Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Week Awards

Minnesota State’s Abel Christiansen (hurdles), South Milwaukee, Wisc., took home NSIC Track Athlete of the Week honors and Onyekachi Ukaobasi (jumps), Geneva, Ill., won NSIC Field Athlete of the Week in a clean sweep of weekly awards announced Monday, Feb. 12. This marks the second time this year that the Mavericks have claimed both NSIC Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors.

BEST Board S ’24: Career-Wise Confidence Landed Annelise Miller Two Internships

BEST Board S ’24: Career-Wise Confidence Landed Annelise Miller Two Internships

Annelise Miller’s nominator disagreed when Annelise said she didn’t do anything to deserve BEST Board recognition. It was that unassuming demeanor mixed with Annelise’s passion for writing that earned her a place on the BEST Board. Her prolific writing that fuels the weekly MAVERICK INSIDER student e-newsletter serves to keep all fellow Mavericks informed and engaged.

80-Year Evolution of AI: How We Got Here, Where Artificial Intelligence is Taking Us

80-Year Evolution of AI: How We Got Here, Where Artificial Intelligence is Taking Us

First in a two-part series: When it comes to the debate over artificial intelligence, Dr. Rajeev Bukralia, associate professor and graduate coordinator for Data Science at Minnesota State Mankato, views things from three different angles – creator, teacher and administrator. Those three vantage points offer a strong point of reference in understanding the evolution and future of AI in this first of a two-part series on AI in academics.
  

S’24 BEST Board: Johnny Ferede Says Embrace Every Chance for Personal, Professional Growth

S’24 BEST Board: Johnny Ferede Says Embrace Every Chance for Personal, Professional Growth

As a graduate advisor in Student Activities, Johnny Ferede found himself as the point person during a time of staff transitions. Putting his leadership and mentoring skills to work, he assisted the day-to-day activities of more than 200 Recognized Student Organizations while coordinating such activities as the annual Student Leadership Awards with over 60 nominations. His efforts that demonstrated resilience, strategic thinking and thriving under pressure earned him Spring ’24 BEST Board recognition.

5,000 Mavericks Invited to Participate in College Health Assessment Survey Starting Feb. 5

5,000 Mavericks Invited to Participate in College Health Assessment Survey Starting Feb. 5

Starting Feb. 5, 5,000 randomly-selecting Minnesota State Mankato students will be contacted by campus email to participate in the 2024 National College Health Assessment. Student Health Services joins this year’s survey which aids colleges and universities in assessing a wide range of health and wellness issues that impact students and their academic performance. Students completing the survey are eligible to win prizes including AirPods or Target or Amazon gift cards. Surveys must be completed by Feb. 25.

MavPASS: Students Helping Students Academic Program Earns National Recognition

MavPASS: Students Helping Students Academic Program Earns National Recognition

MavPASS, a rapidly growing Minnesota State Mankato student support program in which students help students learn difficult content in challenging courses has received national recognition. The program will receive the Exemplary New Supplemental Instruction award for 2024 from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction. The award will be presented at a June conference in Baltimore, Maryland.