MSCSA was formed in 1998 when the student association of the Minnesota State Technical Colleges and the Minnesota State Community Colleges Merged. MSCSA now represents over 110,000 students who attend the public two year community and technical colleges in Minnesota.
Formation of the MSCSA
• Association of the Minnesota public two-year college students
• Works to ensure accessible, quality, and affordable public higher education
• Provides students with statewide representation, leadership development, and communication
What is the MSCSA?
• MSCSA advocates on behalf of students on both the state and federal level
• Representatives visit Washington, D.C. to meet with federal lawmakers
• Student leaders and full-time staff members maintain a presence at state Capitol
• Platform Committee identifies this year’s goals and legislation the association will focus on
Advocacy
• MSCSA develops the leaders and decision-makers of tomorrow
• Provides opportunities for students to serve as leaders on regional and state levels
• MSCSA hosts the Minnesota Student Leadership Summit each fall in addition to trainings presented at regular conferences
Leadership Development
• MSCSA provides the Leadership Scholarship to recognize and financially support volunteer leaders
• Funded through the generous donations of people across the state
• Leadership Scholarship Dinner is an opportunity for students from across the state to network with other students & donors
• More scholarship opportunities than ever before!!!!!!
Scholarships
MSCSA CabinetPresident Kevin Parker
• Acts as official
representative of MSCSA
• Serves as chair of
General Assemblies and
Governing Council
meetings
• Directs the activities of the
Cabinet
MSCSA Cabinet
Vice President Tim St. Claire
• Assumes the duties
and responsibilities of
the president as
needed
• Serves as chair of
Platform Committee
• Coordinates all MSCSA
advocacy events
MSCSA Cabinet
Public Relations Coordinator
Austin Ruport• Uses social media
platforms to communicate
with students across the
state
• Maintains a network of
communication with
campuses and regions
• Coordinates
communication for campus
organizing events
MSCSA Cabinet
Treasurer Richard Barnier
• Ensures the
overall financial
security and
accountability of
MSCSA
• Serves as Chair
of the Fiscal
Committee
• Monitors all
expenditures
MSCSA Staff
Executive Director Mike Dean
• Manages all aspects of
the affairs of MSCSA
• Provides progress
evaluations for the
association
MSCSA Staff
Director of Policy Becca
Branum
• Serves as staff member
of advocacy and policy
teams
• Advisor to students on
campus/system policy
issues
MSCSA Staff
Director of Government
Relations Jason Fossum
• Oversees Get-Out-
the-Vote (GOTV)
work
• Assists staff and
cabinet with policy
objectives
MSCSA Staff
Director of Communications
Brenna Swanson
• Develops and maintains
association’s
communication network
• Serves as Staff member
of Communication
Advisory Team
MSCSA Staff
Program Assisstant
Gabriella Feldt
• Provide administrative and
program support to assigned
administrative personnel.
• Program support includes
assisting students and
personnel, coordinate events
and conferences,
researching funding sources,
assisting in scholarship
research and helping
arrange presentations.
Success in voter registration
Advocated and secured tuition cap
Researched, drafted, and helped pass the
“Textbook Discosure, Pricing, and Access Act”
Tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship
money awarded.
Thousands of Minnesota students trained
1% tuition REDUCTION for 2017!!!!!!!!
MSCSA’s Accomplishments
Two Main Things:
Workshops
◦ Personal development and advocacy
improvement
◦ Roundtable discussions
MSCSA business meetings
◦ Governing Council and Platform Committee
◦ Presidents’ Group
◦ Regional Meetings
What YOU Can Expect
Governing Council
The GC consists of:
◦ Four Cabinet members (non-voting)
◦ Nine Regional Reps
◦ Governing Council Student-at-Large
◦ Presidents’ Group Chair
◦ Chaired by the President
Acts as the Board of Directors of MSCSA
Ensures that General Assembly directives are followed
Maintains communication network
What YOU Can Expect
Platform Committee The Platform Committee consists of:◦ Four Cabinet members (non-voting),
◦ Nine Regional Platform Reps
◦ Student-at-Large Platform Rep
◦ Chaired by the Vice President
Committee Objectives/Goals◦ Sets the state and federal legislative agenda
◦ Sets MSCSA’s MnSCU system policy priorities
◦ Assists in the coordination of MSCSA advocacy events
What YOU Can Expect
Presidents’ Group
Senate President Membership◦ Comprised of the presidents of each Campus Student
Government.
◦ Open Door Sessions
Meeting Purpose/Objectives◦ Helps inform, educate, network, and work with the
Presidents of Campus Student Governments.
◦ Meets regularly to discuss best practices and campus
issues.
What YOU Can Expect
Regional Meetings
Nine Regions. Regional representatives
serve on Governing Council (GC) and
Platform Committee.
Regional Meeting discussions
Seven or more additional meetings
outside of MSCSA conferences
What YOU Can Expect
Students-at-Large
◦ Student at Large Platform Rep:
Chair of Diversity Committee
◦ Student at Large Governing Council
Rep:
Vice-Chair of Diversity Committee
Vice-Chair of Scholarship Committee
Minority Opinion
What YOU Can Expect
Attendance
Etiquette/Professionalism
Follow Parliamentary Procedure
Listen, Learn, and Lead
What We Expect From You
All MSCSA official business is guided by?
Robert’s Rules of Order
Recognition by Chair
Discussion
Basics: Motion
Amendment
Point of Information
Call to Question
Parliamentary Procedure
Staff and cabinet members are a useful
resource!
If you have questions, ask. We work for
the students (YOU!).
Don’t be intimidated!
Remember