We are very excited to announce that MSCSA’s very own Jason Fossum has accepted the Executive Director position with the Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA). Jason has provided MSCSA leadership and guidance to advance our legislative efforts for the past three years as our Director of Government Relations.

Affectionately known by our students as “Awesome Fossum,” Jason leaves large shoes to fill in our legislative training and advocacy development.

MSCSA President Travis Johnson shared his thoughts on Fossum’s departure: “In the last year, working side by side with Jason has taught me a lot about the ins and outs of lobbying.  While his legislative knowledge is complex, he shared information with our students in an easy, understandable format, and his care for the work we do ran deep.  We are sad to see him leave, but we are very excited about his new opportunity.”

Jason has been a valued member of our team throughout the past three years. His experience working at the legislature, MSCSA, and being a former student board member of MSUSA well prepares him for his new role.

Please join me in thanking Jason for his service to MSCSA, and congratulating him in this new challenge and opportunity. If you want to write a quick note or fond memory of Jason, check out the MSCSA Facebook Page and write of the Wall.

While a great member of our team is leaving, we look forward to continuing to work with Jason and MSUSA to work on behalf of all MnSCU students across Minnesota.

Below is a letter that Jason put together to the membership of MSCSA.

Justin Klander, Executive Director
Minnesota State College Student Association

Greetings all:

I hope everyone is having a great spring and end to the school year. The weeks following Spring General Assembly are always enjoyable as it gives us a chance to look back at the year that was in MSCSA while being able to keep watch on what the future holds for the association. Before we know it, the June Transitional conference will be here and we will again celebrate the year gone by and work to better the association for the coming year.

It is with that in mind that I wanted to send this email to all of you. As the leadership of this association you all have played an important role in helping make MSCSA an amazing place for me to work over the past three years. After a lot of thought and consideration, I wanted to let each of you know that I have accepted the position of Executive Director with the Minnesota State University Student Association. I will begin work in that position on May 17.

While I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead for me in this new position, I will certainly miss all of you. Fortunately, I am not going too far away and I look forward to working with each of you in the future. My time with MSCSA has been very special for me and I have always considered myself fortunate to be able to work with the amazing students and staff of this association.

When I was the student senate president at Winona State University, the University president Darrell Krueger used to tell me that when leaving an organization you need to ask yourself, “What have I done to improve this place?” While I will not attempt to measure my affect on this association, I can say with 100 percent certainty that I am better because of my time with MSCSA.

Feel free to contact me if you have question and do not hesitate to stay in contact with me into the future.

Sincerely,

Jason Fossum,

MSCSA Director of Government Relations