Sumi Khan and Kusum Joshi recognized by statewide student association
Two students at Dakota County Technical College, Kusum Joshi and Sumaiya “Sumi” Khan, were awarded scholarships by the Minnesota State College Student Leadership Association (MSCSA). Sumi received a $500 John Kenneth Niemi Memorial Tool Fund. Kusum received a $500 Morrie Anderson Endowed Scholarship. Both Sumi and Kusum are members of the Student Senate Executive Board. Kusum serves as treasurer; Sumi serves as secretary.
Sumi and Kusum are also sophomores earning A.A.S. degrees in the college’s Multimedia & Web Design program. Kusum is from India; Sumi hails from Pakistan.
About MSCSA…
The Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) is an association of the Minnesota public two-year college students, which works to ensure accessible, quality, and affordable public higher education while providing students with representation, leadership development, and communication across the state. — Courtesy of the MSCSA website
Kusum and Sumi at Minnesota Student Leadership Summit 2016
Kusum Joshi
Kusum Joshi
Awarded Morrie Anderson Endowed Scholarship
Kusum Joshi, 35, is originally from Modinagar, India, a city of 130,000 residents in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Her parents live in Faridibad state near Delhi. Kusum is earning her A.A.S. degree in Multimedia & Web Design and plans to graduate fall 2017.
Kusum has a master’s degree in biotechnology from Doon Paramedical College in Dehradun, India. She also has bachelor’s degrees in bioinformatics and education. She taught high school in Bangalore for three years.
Fully engaged on campus, Kusum serves as treasurer in Student Senate and is active in the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA). She also serves as a student ambassador.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
LEARNER. SELF-DISCIPLINED. FOCUSED.
Her goals after DCTC are focused on landing a full-time job in the Web design industry. She worked as a Web designer during her college years in India. Her dream occupation would be opening her own digital textile printing business.
Kusum traveled to the United States with her husband, Sunil, a software engineer. They reside in Eagan, Minnesota, with their two children, a boy, Shaurya, 10, nicknamed Aadi, and a girl, Samaira, 4, nicknamed Aaira. In her free time, Kusum enjoys crafting. Her specialty is turning recyclables into works of art.
Morrie Anderson Endowed Scholarship
Upon Morris J. Anderson’s retirement as chancellor of Minnesota State (formerly Minnesota State Colleges and Universities), Mr. Anderson’s colleagues and friends established an endowed fund to recognize his outstanding contribution to education in Minnesota, especially his support of technical education. This scholarship was created to provide scholarship support to students enrolled in a technical program at one of the technical or consolidated colleges within Minnesota State.
Kusum Joshi Q & A
Why did you become a student senator?
I joined Student Senate because I wanted to be more involved on campus. I had no idea what Senate was or what I was going to do after joining, but I knew I would be able to add valuable contributions. Senate was a lot more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Recently, I attended a training seminar called “HEART of a Leader.” It was such a great experience for me. I knew if hadn’t gotten involved in Student Senate, I wouldn’t have received this opportunity. Student Senate has given me so many opportunities to network and socialize with students, staff, faculty and administrators.
What are your duties as Student Senate treasurer?
As treasurer, I understand the Student Life budget process. I keep an accurate record of budget accounts for Student Senate as well as clubs and organizations. I maintain records of all requests for funds, reimbursements, requisitions and purchases. I also assist other senate officers when needed. I assist in the planning and implementation of events and attend all General Assembly meetings and weekly Executive Committee meetings.
What is your role in MSCSA?
We attend MSCSA conferences and workshops to develop our leadership skills. We represent our college and discuss student-related issues like tuition, book match, separate rooms for prayers for students of different religions, etc.
Kusum at 10th Annual MSCSA Scholarship Gala
What would you tell someone thinking about joining Student Senate?
Getting involved in any club or organization can be one of the greatest, most rewarding experiences you will have while you are in college. By joining Student Senate, you will have the opportunity to build social skills by interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. You can enhance your communication skills. You also develop your leadership skills by learning to take responsibility and manage challenges. You gain invaluable skills for future employment and build experience for your resume.
What has been your greatest accomplishment in life so far?
I think the most recent greatest accomplishment in my life is receiving an MSCSA scholarship and getting asked to be one of three speakers at the 10th Annual MSCSA Scholarship Gala in January 2017. It was a great experience to speak in front of other students and the people who sponsored my scholarship. I really feel proud that I got this opportunity.
What has been your greatest challenge?
At this point in my career, I think my greatest challenge has been meeting new students at DCTC, interacting with them and telling them about our college. I am an introvert and quiet person—so meeting with new people and talking to them is kind of coming out of my comfort zone. But I have overcome this challenge by taking the initiative in conversations.
What person has influenced you the most in your life?
My dad, C.R. Uniyal. He a is very hard-working man. He always says that the environment surrounding you always influences you. He advises me to make good friends and live in a good society.
Kusum Joshi | 12 Answers
Favorite sport or physical activity: Running at the YMCA and zumba
- Place you would most like to visit: Florida; I love beaches.
- The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Giving my scholarship thank-you speech at the MSCSA Scholarship Gala
- Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Be independent.”
- Favorite all-time animal: Indian elephant
- Favorite all-time Hindu god or goddess: Hanuman
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Get a good, stable job- Most precious material possession: My engagement ring
- Dream occupation: I want to have my own business.
- Person you would most like to meet: My prime minister, Modi. He’s a one-man army!
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: My HTML coding skills
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Trust
APPLY NOW FOR MSCSA SCHOLARSHIPS
Sumi Khan
Sumaiya “Sumi” Khan
Awarded John Kenneth Niemi Memorial Tool Fund
Sumaiya “Sumi” Khan, 25, is from Hyderabad, Pakistan, a metropolis of nearly 4.3 million people that ranks as the fourth largest city in her homeland. Sumi is a sophomore pursuing her A.A.S. degree in Multimedia & Web Design at DCTC and is on track to graduate spring 2017. She graduated from Superior College of Science in Pakistan in 2010.
Sumi discovered DCTC thanks to her brother, who lives in Rosemount, Minnesota, and told her about the college. Her brother works in Minnesota at Salesforce, a global technology company providing cloud platform services. Sumi’s goal after DCTC is to join Salesforce, which is applauded as one of the best places in the world to work by Fortune and LinkedIn.
Besides covering the role of secretary in Student Senate, Sumi is involved in the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA). She also works as a student ambassador.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
BALANCED. ENTHUSIASTIC. FOCUSED.
Life as an international student can present challenges. Because she isn’t allowed to work off campus, Sumi has to improvise to make ends meet. She enjoys her duties as a graphic designer at the college, gaining valuable on-the-job experience. She already has her Salesforce certification and is excited about landing a good, full-time job in her chosen field.
Sumi is happily married. She met her husband, Saqib, for the first time in Pakistan as a preliminary step in an arranged marriage, an integral aspect of Pakistani society. Sumi is the youngest member of her family and trusts implicitly the wisdom of her parents. Sumi and Saqib reside in Rosemount and have one child, a 2-year-old boy named Arshman. In her free time, Sumi enjoys cooking, henna art and learning new things.
John Kenneth Niemi Memorial Tool Fund
As a recipient of a technical college education and the training that enabled his career as a millwright and later as a refrigeration mechanic, John Kenneth Niemi understood the value of technical education. Mr. Niemi understood that education was a gift to be valued, and would want to ensure other young people had the opportunity he had to gain the education necessary to build a solid career. Because of this belief, Mr. Niemi’s family has established a memorial fund within the Minnesota State College Student Association. This endowed fund will provide funds for tool purchases required for completing a technical course of study for students attending one of the technical colleges or technical programs within Minnesota State (formerly Minnesota State Colleges and Universities).
Sumi Khan Q & A
Why did you become a student senator?
Because being a part of Student Senate is a great way to provide the student body with a platform to voice their opinions and protect their interests throughout campus. It is also an opportunity to get involved in campus activities, establish networking, and develop strong leadership and communication skills.
What are your duties as Student Senate secretary?
- Maintain accurate written records (minutes) of the meeting
- Email minutes of Student Council meetings to members
- Take attendance at Student Council meetings
- Keep records on file
What is your role in MSCSA?
I attend conferences, workshops and represent the DCTC student body.
Sumi and Kusum at 2106 MSCSA Metro Regional Meeting
What would you tell someone thinking about joining Student Senate?
Joining Student Senate helps students in many ways, including:
- Establishing networking
- Improving social skills
- Gaining professional experience
- Building leadership skills
- Mastering communication skills
What has been your greatest accomplishment in life so far?
Getting a 3.92 GPA and being on President list of Honour every semester after being a mother of a little boy, a full time international student, working as a Student Ambassador, Graphic Designer, and Student Senate Secretary on-campus is my greatest accomplishment in life so far.
What has been your greatest challenge?
Doing so many things with proper time management.
What person has influenced you the most in your life?
My elder brother Kashif (Kashi) Ahmed is the person who has influenced me the most in my life. Being an elder brother, he has been a great support for me in every situation. The way he handles his personal life, office work and supporting family back home country is a great inspiration for me to follow. He is one of the persons who has always been there for me, reliable and trustworthy in all circumstance.
Sumi Khan | 12 Answers
Favorite sport or physical activity: Running- Place you would most like to visit: Paris
- The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: HEART of a Leader training.
- Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.”
- Favorite all-time animal: Dogs
- Favorite all-time movie: Tangled
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Right now getting a job is the thing I want to accomplish.- What is your favorite season of the year: Spring is my favorite season because every day is a gorgeous, sunny day; we get rain, flowers are blooming and grass is growing.
- Dream occupation: Get a good job related to the Web and move up the ladder for more success
- What is your favorite kind of music: Depends on my mood.
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Communication with people is the skill I would like to master because showing genuine interest in other people will earn their respect and attention.
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Peace and conflicts
To learn more about Student Life and the Student Senate at DCTC, contact:
Nicole Meulemans
Director of Student Life and Activities
651-423-8403
Anna Voight
Assistant Director of Student Life
651-423-8649
Student Senate Office
Student Life Center
651-423-8341
2016 MSCSA Student Leadership Conference
(front) Kusum Joshi, Yeti Tessma (middle) Ayuba Dansoho, Emily Niznik, Nafisa Mohamud, Cheryl Brogger, Sumi Khan, Nicole Meulemans, Roman Kindo (back) Israel Gray, Anna Voight
