Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Jacob Englund, Allyson Lueneburg, Louise Sundin, and Terri Thomas, and the reappointment of Cheryl Dickson, Clarence Hightower and David Paskach to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State College and Universities (MnSCU) system.

Dickson, of St. Paul, is a current member of the MnSCU Board of Trustees representing the fourth congressional district. She served for 24 years as the president and CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Commission and is a current member of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library Board. Dickson holds a certificate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in management of lifelong education and a certificate in management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in humanities from Metropolitan State University. Dickson is reappointed to a six-year term that expires June 30, 2014.

Englund, of Minneapolis, is a student at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, where he is a member of the student senate, Phi Theta Kappa, and Kappa Beta Delta. He is appointed as a two-year student member to a two year term that expires June 30, 2010. Englund replaces Caleb Anderson on the board.

Hightower, of Plymouth, is an at-large member of the MnSCU Board of Trustees. He recently announced that he is leaving his position as president of the Minneapolis Urban League to become executive director of the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties. He is a member of the United Way and former chair of the United Way Council of Agency Executives. Hightower holds a master of arts degree in human and community service from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois, and a bachelor of arts degree in education from Southwest State University in Marshall. He is reappointed to a six-year term that expires June 30, 2014.

Lueneburg, of Winona, is a student at Winona State University, where she is studying biology. She is appointed as a four-year student member to fulfill a two-year term that expires June 30, 2009. She replaces Michael Boulton on the board.

Paskach, of Cottonwood, is a current member of the MnSCU Board of Trustees representing the seventh congressional district and owner of Pasko Investments. Paskach earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign, Illinois, and his bachelor of science degree in accounting from Iowa State University in Ames. He is reappointed to a six-year term that expires June 30, 2014.

Sundin, of Minneapolis, is a member of the Teacher Union Reform Network and is the former president of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. She previously served as an English teacher in the Minneapolis Public School District. Sundin received a master of arts degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas, and a bachelor of arts degree in English, journalism, and language arts from the University of Minnesota. She is involved in a number of community service organizations including serving as a member of the United Way of the Twin Cities board of directors. Sundin is appointed as an at-large member to a six-year term that expires June 30, 2014. She replaces Ann Curme Shaw on the board.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 colleges and universities, including 25 two-year colleges and seven state universities. The system is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor. The board has policy responsibility for system planning, academic programs, fiscal management, personnel, admissions requirements, tuition and fees, and rules and regulations. The board appoints the system's chancellor and presidents of the state colleges and universities.