Meeting Students Where They Are: Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan Hears from Students | News

Ann Humphrey and Chrissy Koch, American Indian Resource Center staff with Flanagan.

Attendees of the roundtable discussion with Flanagan.

Serena Graves, BSU student, shares her thoughts with Flanagan.

Flanagan talks with and hears from students.

Linnea Helgeson, NTC student, shares her thoughts with Flanagan.

Allanah Weitzel, NTC student, shares her concerns with Flanagan.

Asin Dexter, BSU student, shares her concerns with Flanagan.

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan addresses the group of attendees at BSU.

Ann Humphrey, assistant director of the AIRC.

President Faith C. Hensrud shares information about Bemidji State with Flanagan.

Attendees enjoyed a meal before sharing their challenges with Flanagan.

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan speaks with students.

Dr. Anton Treuer, professor of languages and indigenous studies, speaks with Flanagan.

President Hensrud speaking with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan.

Peggy Flanagan, Darrin Strosahl and President Faith C. Hensrud speaking with NTC student Allanah Weitzel.

Chrissy Koch and Ann Humphrey speaking with Peggy Flan

Bemidji State University welcomed Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to campus for a conversation with BSU and Northwest Technical College students, faculty and staff at the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) on Oct. 17th.

With the sun shining high in the sky and fall colors aplenty, Faith C. Hensrud, president of BSU and NTC, welcomed Flanagan to the AIRC’s Gathering Room where she shared a meal with attendees before diving into conversation.

As a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Flanagan praised the accomplishments of American Indian students on both campuses as she reflected on her own time as an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.

“As a student at the University of Minnesota, I would not have survived my college years without the American Indian Center there,” she said. “I really want to lift up the AIRC here and tell you how important it is to have a space for American Indian students. I am so grateful this space exists to meet students where they are.”

Flanagan also highlighted the many pathways young people can take to further their education in Minnesota while emphasizing that not one size fits all.

Students had an opportunity to speak to Flanagan about everyday challenges including child care, support for single parents and bringing American Indian students and history to the forefront of Minnesota State education curriculum.

Contact

Carissa Menefee, associate director of communications and marketing (interim); carissa.menefee@bemidjistate.edu, (218) 755-3344

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2020-B-067