Eight students recognized for campus leadership and student staff contributions to the Centennial Student Union are currently featured on Spring 2023 BEST Board in the CSU Hearth Lounge.
Students named to the Spring 2023 BEST Board include Finley Alexander, Jenna Anderson, Suhan Budhathoki, Molly Nhean, Mitchel Pomije, Ashrit Suresh, Madison Vandersee and Emma Zellmer.
Spring 2023 Honorees
Jenna Anderson was nominated and recognized a Maverick Bullpen Lead where she has been responsible for overseeing night and weekend staff shifts and events. She also served in leadership roles as an active member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and served as recruitment counselor on the Panhellic Council.
Finley Alexander was nominated and recognized for her leadership as a member of the CSU Tech Services team. She plays a key role is student staff training and provides superior customer service by realizing clients’ visions and ideas.
Suhan Budhathoki was nominated and recognized for his continuing work within the CSU Communications Office. As the current graduate assistant for CSU Communications, he oversees student graphic design and student staff writers and coordinates the weekly Maverick Insider e-newsletter to all students. He also coordinates the weekly CAN calendar of events distributed in the CSU and online. As an undergraduate student web manager, he was responsible for the creation of the CSU webpage.
Molly Nhean was nominated and recognized for her leadership with Gamma Phi Beta, the largest sorority on campus, where she served as president and vice president. In August 2022, she was recognized as a Girls on the Run International Coach of the Year. A nonprofit organization, GOTR hosts an after-school program for girls. Her nomination also recognized Nhean as a youth advisory board member with Violence Free Minnesota and as an admissions Student Ambassador.
Mitchel Pomije was nominated and recognized for his residence hall leadership and as an active member of the Residence Hall Association and the Midwest Affiliation of Colleges and Residence Halls. In Fall 2022 he took the initiative to chair and create a MACURH Regional Leadership Conference in record time after COVID restrictions for in-person participation were lifted .He was also recognized for his participation in Maverick Machine Athletic Bands where he serves as Spirit Coordinator. His nomination said Mitchel can often be found wearing Maverick gear, including his purple Maverick crocs.
Ashrit Suresh was nominated and recognized for his leadership as a member of the Kearney International Center’s International Enrollment Assistant Team where he welcomes and guides new international students through the orientation process. He also was a student leader in the organizing of annual Mankato Area International Festival hosted by the KIC.
Madison Vandersee was nominated and recognized for her leadership as a graduate assistant for Maverick Adventures Outdoor Programs within Campus Recreation. In her student leadership role, she shows keen attention to detail in coordinating events and activities as well as a positive and collaborative attitude. She has proposed, planned, organized and executed a number of high-profile student events including Ice Fishing, Earth Week Programming, Emily Ford ‘Breaking Trail’ screening and Caving that provided learning and access to the outdoors while building connections and community among student participants.
Emma Zellmer was nominated and recognized for her thoughtful and determined leadership in student government. Currently serving as Student Government president, Zellmer is the immediate past president of Students United, which advocates for all students at colleges and universities within the Minnesota State system regarding higher education policies at the local, state and federal levels. She also served as former Student Government Speaker, admissions ambassador and a member of the Residence Hall Associations.
The BEST Board
In January 2015, the CSU posted its first BEST Board. “Boasting Exceptional Student Talent,” the display was created in response to student feedback gained through the biennial CSU student survey. At the time, students expressed the need for greater recognition of student leadership accomplishments. The resulting BEST Board is a 55-foot display that features students nominated each semester from various areas of student life and CSU student employment.
Lenny Koupal, CSU Communications Coordinator who coordinates the BEST Board project, said students are recognized for their contributions to the quality of student life at Minnesota State Mankato and within the CSU. Nominations go out each fall and spring semesters for the following semester’s display.
“We seek nominations each spring and fall from staff within various departments of Student Affairs as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Kearney International Center,” Koupal said. “These nominations recognize students for their willingness to get involved, their eagerness to step into leadership roles and their ability to enrich the lives of fellow students.”
A CSU selection committee reviews all nominees and selects eight students each semester who exemplify leadership, service to others and Maverick Spirit.
The BEST Board features each student’s photo, their hometown, major and short listing of campus accomplishments and involvements. It also features an original quotation expressing personal growth and perspectives on life.
