Senate Bios 2008-2009

Melissa L. Heinz, President

Melissa is a first year student in the Community Psychology Masters Program.  She finished her undergraduate in Biology last spring at Metropolitan State University.  Melissa became committed to student government after attending a Minnesota State University Student Association Conference where she learned about bonding and Higher Education Funding.  It was then that she realized Metropolitan State University deserved a strong voice and advocate for non-traditional Metro students at the statewide level. Last year Melissa worked closely on legislative issues and the campus bonding tour.  She authored the Extended Hour Library Proposal and launched the Heartland Fundraiser.  This year she has been closely involved in the textbook rental proposal, the day care initiative and continues to represent Metropolitan State University students at the administrative and state wide level.  She is dedicated to the university and its students.   

Noel Opoti, Vice President
Noel Opoti is a sophomore at the Metropolitan State University. He is enrolled with the First College and is looking to pursue a major in engineering. He is both the Student Senate Vice President and Campus Diversity Representative. He has been involved with the Student Senate for the last year and a half. Noels interests include soccer, biking, art and photography.
He has been involved in the University Activity Board, the International Student Organization and the Asian Student Organization as well. Noel is seeking to work with his fellow senators this year to increase student participation in various committees on campus. He generally states that he would like to increase student engagement in campus activities.

Andrew Galas, Senator
Andrew is a communication graduate student at Metropolitan State University.  He received undergraduate degree in Accounting and MBA at Metropolitan.  Andrew had been involved in Senate for a number of years.  He was President in the past and continues to serve as Treasurer.  Currently he’s working full time for Northwest Airlines in corporate finance.  Andrew has been a strong advocate for students’ Lobby efforts, has served on SAFAC, PR and the Legislative Affairs Committees.  He has been strong for students’ empowerment and involvement to make a difference:  “STUDENTS MATTER”. 

David Lee, Legislative Affairs
David Lee is a screenwriting junior at Metropolitan State. This is his first year on the Student Senate, where he currently serves as the Legislative Representative. He is especially interested in getting students involved at the Legislature and at the voting booth.

Chad Frederick, Vote Intern
Chad Frederick is a Junior and First College student designing his degree in Environmental and Social Sustainability. He joined the Senate in Spring of 2008 as Interim Diversity Representative to MSUSA. As a senator, his top priority is to dramatically increase student participation in their own educations. He also advocates for a wide variety of progressive interests. Chad serves on several committees including Budget, Bookstore and SAFAC. He is also is active in the MSUSA as this Fall Semester's GOTV Intern (Get Out The Vote). An out-spoken radical and challenging advocate on campus for the interests of the student body, this student loves to serve community.

Ben Tittle, Textbook Committee
Ben Tittle is a fifth year senior majoring in philosophy.  Ben is a lifelong resident of St. Paul and hopes to continue living in the Twin Cities for some time, hopefully as a student in the graduate program in philosophy at the University of Minnesota.  Before beginning at Metropolitan State in the fall of 2004 he worked primarily as a carpenter and continues this work during the summer and other breaks.  When Ben started at Metro he was in First College with plans on creating a curriculum which would allow him to work as a strength/conditioning coach.  Like many students, his plans changed shortly after he started; Ben took a philosophy class to fulfill a GEL requirement and rediscovered a passion which began his senior year in high school.  He got involved with the Student Senate in order to insure that Metropolitan State remains a place where nontraditional students can create meaningful change in their lives and He will remain dedicated to this goal throughout his final year here.

Timothy Page, Community Outreach
Timothy is a Sophomore in First College studying, Community Organizing and Youth Development. He represents the Student Senate on the University Improvement Coordinating Team, the Power of You Advisory Committee and on the Anti -Racism Taskforce (Internal Multi Cultural Advisory Committee.  Timothy is also serves as the Vice President of Trio Student Union.  He attend Minneapolis Community and studied Early Childhood Development with a focus on difficult behaviors. This allowed him to become a lead preschool teacher.  In the past Timothy has founded two urban 4H clubs and been extensively involved with community development.  His goal is to develop effective and productive partnerships with community groups.

Clara Ware, Senator, Minneapolis Campus Rep
Clara attended Minneapolis Community & Technical where she received an Associate of Arts Degree and an Urban Teacher Certificate. Clara has been Senator for 4 years. She came to Metropolitan University in 2005 as a Peer Leader. She is a Senior at Metro State in First College as a Community Organizer/Political Science and Grant Writing major. Clara has been involved in the African American Student Association for about 7 years working as a liaison and was a member of SAFAC. Clara is also a member of the Women Empowered and the TRIO Student Union. She plans to one day to be a Senator at the Capitol. She has been down at the Capitol in Saint Paul lobbying on the behalf of Tuition Freeze for Higher Education as a Legislative Representative. Clara has served on the Bookstore Committee and the Women Center/ Daycare Committee. She also helped raised money for Camp Heartland and collect food for the food shelf in the East Side Community.

Ka Chee Cha, Senator, PR Director
Ka Chee Cha is a junior at Metropolitan State University who is majoring in Business Marketing with a minor in Interpersonal Communication. She anticipates graduating in 2010.  This will be Ka Chee’s first year as a senator.  Ka Chee is also a member of the University Activities Board (UAB) and an active volunteer and participant of the Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) at Cowern Elementary School.  She believes in making a difference for the youth of the future.  Ka Chee’s focus as senator is the students of Metropolitan State University.  As a young mother and second generation of the Hmong-American community, she knows the hardships of life’s challenges - before and during - college.  Ka Chee's intention is to represent, empower and involve the students of all ages and backgrounds.  She hopes to enrich and be enriched by the culture, diversity and the community of Metropolitan State University.  Ka Chee will serve on the daycare and textbook committees as well as work to support the Metropolitan State University students’ voice.  You can find Ka Chee at the Midway and Saint Paul campuses.

Lee Her, Senator, St. Paul Campus Rep
Lee Her is a junior at the university going for a major in Social Science/Global Studies, and a minor in Community Organizing and Development. She brings to the mission an impressive set of beliefs and skills which include – but are not limited to – a personal and in-depth understanding of the challenges students currently face; the ability to bring together socioeconomically and racially diverse groups of people; the ability to convey complex and sensitive issues in a compelling manner that resonates with the targeted audience; the ability to delegate responsibilities and manage team efforts; and a proven track record of hard work and ethical decision-making.
At the heart of every great leader, as she envisions it, is an authentic desire to find, cultivate, and nurture the power inherent in every individual regardless of his/her race, gender, and class. In office she plans to promote and sustain a student organization that will foster not only a stronger community of Student Senate members, but an overall stronger Metropolitan State student community.

Jodi Johnson, Senator, Midway Campus Rep

Jodi Johnson is a 22 years old; this is her second year at Metro State. Her major is in Human Services, with this degree she would like to work with veterans and their families. When she started at Metro she was a first time college student. She has been in the Army National Guard since 2003, she deployed to Iraq in 2005. In her free time she likes to play volley ball and go bowling. She has two sisters, Katie and Jamie. Katie goes to college in Mankato; Jamie lives in Iowa and goes to high school.

Kathleen McNamara, Senator, Treasurer
Kathleen McNamara is a senior at Metro.  Graduating April 2009, she is going on to Law School following her dream of becoming a Constitutional Law Judge. While at MSU she has participated in several mentoring programs.  Peace Jam 2008 featuring Desmond Tutu, she wrote and produced a Peace Play with 7th grade students at the School of the Arts and has been a note taker for fellow students. Outside of School Kathleen keeps busy working in the community volunteering for the  RNC – Civic Fest, and Raking for the elderly. .Politically, she is an election judge and manages her Mothers’ City Council Campaign. During her time on the Metro Student Senate she will be involved with the Text Book Committee, Legislative Committee and has been elected as External PR Chair Person.  She looks forward to getting to know you and introducing you to the rest of the Senate.

John Kobler, Senator

Tonya Rabb, Senator

Amiin Harun, Senator

Setarah Salehi, Senator