ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointments of six individuals to fill vacancies on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees. The 15-member Board is responsible for governing MnSCU's system planning, academic programs, fiscal management, personnel, admissions requirements, tuition and fees, and rules and regulations.
“These Minnesotans are well equipped to help guide the future of MnSCU, and ensure its students receive world-class educations,” said Governor Dayton. “These members, and the entire Board, will help further MnSCU’s mission of providing Minnesotans with high-quality learning opportunities that prepare them for success in the workplace and in life.”
Today's appointments include:
Basil Ajuo – Brooklyn Park, MN
Effective: August 24, 2016
Term Expires: June 30, 2018
Basil Ajuo is a student at North Hennepin Community College, where he is pursuing a degree in Business Administration. He also works as a Special Events Coordinator/Outreach Specialist in the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Office. Previously, Mr. Ajuo was an intern for Lutheran Social Services in St. Paul through the Minnesota Capitol Pathways Internship Program, a paralegal intern for Schmidt Law Firm, and an Administrative and Financial Officer for Creative Home Options, Inc. Mr. Ajuo is the Vice President of the Student Senate, serves on the Board of Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Foundation, serves on the governing council representing Metro West on the Minnesota State College Student Association, and was a member of the NHCC College-Wide Steering Committee.
Amanda Fredlund – Mora, MN
Effective: August 24, 2016
Term Expires: June 30, 2018
Amanda Fredlund is a student at Pine Technical & Community College. She also works as a preschool reading tutor at Fariview Elementary School as part of Minnesota Reading Corps and previously was a kindergarten reading tutor at Pine City Elementary School. Ms. Fredlund is the past Vice President of the Student Senate at Pine Technical & Community College and also served as a representative on the Minnesota State College Student Association.
Jerry Janezich – Side Lake, MN
Effective: August 24, 2016
Term Expires: June 30, 2022
Jerry Janezich is a partner of a small business, Jerry & Tom’s Inc., a bar and restaurant in Chisholm, MN. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1989-1992 representing District 5B, the Minnesota Senate from 1993-2000 representing District 5, and Saint Louis County Commissioner for 5 years. He served on the MnSCU Government Relations team for thirteen years. Mr. Janezich attended Hibbing Community College and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. in Speech.
Rodolfo Rodriguez – Maple Grove, MN
Effective: August 24, 2016
Term Expires: June 30, 2022
Rodolfo Rodriguez is the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for Ameriprise Financial Inc. Previously, Mr. Rodriguez was a Multicultural Senior Marketing Director for MillerCoors, LLC in Chicago, a Multicultural Marketing Director for General Mills, Inc., and a Brand Manager for Unilever. He earned his B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois and his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Additionally, Mr. Rodriguez served as president of General Mills’ Hispanic Leadership Team, and is currently a member of the Association of National Advertisers.
Cheryl Tefer – Andover, MN
Effective: August 24, 2016
Term Expires: June 30, 2022
Cheryl Tefer is a former professor at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, where she taught in the field of nursing for 26 years. Ms. Tefer earned a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Iowa College of Nursing, her M.S. in Nursing from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, and post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Ms. Tefer was named the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees Educator of the Year in 2014. She served on a Strategic Planning Committee for Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Tech, and also as the Academic Affairs and Standards Council at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
Michael Vekich – Saint Louis Park, MN
Effective: August 24, 2016
Term Expires: June 30, 2022
Michael Vekich is the CEO of Vekich Chartered in Minneapolis and the current chair of the MnSCU Board of Trustees. He is the former chairman, president and CFO of Skyline Exhibits in Eagan and CEO of Vekich Arkema and Company. Mr. Vekich earned his B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. He is president of The Bank Holding Company, chair of the Minnesota Board of Accountancy, and former chairman of HF Financial Corp. He was also the vice chair of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, member of the Rochester Higher Education Development Committee, and a founding member and vice chair of the Minnesota Higher Education Services Council.
