Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointments of the following members to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

Jay Cowles – St. Paul, MN

Effective: September 22, 2020

Expires: June 30, 2026

Reappointment

Jay Cowles has served on the Board since 2014 and currently serves as the Board’s chair. He is the managing director of Lawrence Creek LLC, a private family investment company. He previously held several positions with Cowles Media Company, former owners of the Star Tribune newspaper, concluding as chairman of the Board of Directors. Cowles also served as chairman and president of the Women’s Pro Softball League, a startup sports enterprise that continues today as National Pro Fastpitch. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Roger Moe – Erskine, MN

Effective: September 22, 2020

Expires: June 30, 2026

Reappointment

Roger Moe has served on the Board since 2016. He is the current president of National Strategies, Inc. Previously, he served 32 years in the Minnesota Legislature, including 22 years as Senate Majority Leader. His legislative accomplishments include the creation of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, the Midwest Higher Education Commission, and the Environmental Trust Fund. He has also served as the Vice President of Coleman/Christison, Inc. and as a mathematics teacher and coach at Ada High School. Senator Moe earned his B.S. from Mayville State University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Minnesota for his years of public service.

Kathleen Sheran – Madison Lake, MN

Effective: September 22, 2020

Expires: June 30, 2026

Replacing: Robert Hoffman

Kathleen Sheran served three terms in the Minnesota Senate representing Districts 23 and 19. While in the Senate she served as a Majority Whip, Vice Chair for Higher Education, and Chair of Health, Human Services and Housing. Prior to serving in the Senate, Senator Sheran was on the faculty at Minnesota State Mankato teaching in the School of Nursing. Additionally, she was an equity partner in SMR, a real estate development and management company. Senator Sheran has a long history of service, including 16 years as President of Mankato’s City Council, and most recently as Chair of Minnesota’s Insurance Exchange.

Javier Morillo – St. Paul, MN

Effective: September 22, 2020

Expires: June 30, 2026

Replacing: Louise Sundin

Javier Morillo is a research fellow with the Center for Innovation in Worker Organization at Rutgers University. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where he co-teaches a course on crisis communications with former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch. He previously served for 14 years as president of SEIU Local 26 and taught history and anthropology as a predoctoral fellow at Carleton College. Javier also was an adjunct faculty at Macalester College. He is the creator and co-host of “Wrong About Everything,” the only Minnesota bipartisan political commentary podcast.

Oballa Oballa – Austin, MN

Effective: September 22, 2020

Expires: June 30, 2022

Replacing: Samson Williams

Oballa attends Riverland Community College in Austin, MN. He is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work through Riverland Community College and the College of St. Scholastica. Currently, he works at Mayo Clinic Health System. He also serves as a member of the Austin Human Rights Commission and as an Honorary City Council member. Oballa is the former Student Senate Public Relations Coordinator and Student Senate President at Riverland Community College. Oballa also previously served as the Vice President and President of LeadMN, as well as the LeadMN Southeast Platform Representative. Governor Walz is appointing Oballa as a student member.

Asani Ajogun – Plymouth, MN

Effective: September 22, 2020

Expires: June 30, 2022

Replacing: Ashlyn Anderson

Asani attends Hennepin Technical College (HTC). Previously, he earned his B.S. in pharmacy and studied zoology at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He is the current president of the HTC Student Senate, an alternate member of the HTC Student Life Board (SLB) and a student experience team leader. He previously served as Vice President of the HTC student senate, Vice Chairman of the HTC SLB, as well as a member of the student representative council and a special adviser to the President of the University of Ibadan. Governor Walz is appointing Asani as a student member.

About the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees:

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 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.