SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives today elected four regents to govern the University of Minnesota: Janie Mayeron for the 5th Congressional District; Mike Kenyanya for the Student At-Large seat; and Kao Ly Her and Mary Davenport for the Statewide At-Large seats.
There were 41 applications submitted for consideration for the two Statewide At-Large seats, 14 applications submitted for the Student At-Large seat, and ten applications submitted for the 5th Congressional District seat. Notably 75% of the applicants were women or people of color.
Representative Connie Bernardy (DFL-New Brighton), Chair of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Division, noted the importance of selections needing to reflect the gender and ethnic diversity of the whole state, including the necessary skills and strengths to lead a complex university system.
“I’m pleased we were able to come together on a bipartisan, bicameral level to approve these regent seats that are best representative of our state,” said Chair Bernardy.