The Somali Student Association at the University of Minnesota is one of the most recognized cultural organizations on campus. We produce large-scale events, build lasting community, and run a board of ambitious, high-capacity students who take their roles seriously. Joining SSA means taking ownership of something real.
SSA operates through three divisions — Executive, Internal, and External — each with a defined purpose and clear leadership. This isn't a title list. Every role has real ownership, real deliverables, and real accountability.
The Executive Division provides top-level direction, alignment, and final oversight across the entire organization. It does not manage day-to-day tasks — it ensures the whole board is rowing in the same direction and that standards are maintained.
The Internal Division builds, executes, and sustains SSA's operations. It manages systems, finances, programming, and the production execution backbone of Somali Night. If something needs to happen, the Internal Division makes it happen.
The External Division manages how SSA presents itself, grows its reach, and builds its relationships. It is responsible for everything the public sees, hears, and experiences before, during, and after events.
Intern positions are not filler. They are developmental leadership roles designed to train future board members through direct, real-work exposure to how SSA operates.
Every major board role has a corresponding intern or associate position. Interns directly support specific board members, learn their workflow, and take on real responsibilities. This is not observation — it is a working role. Interns are expected to be dependable, proactive, and genuinely invested in learning the organization.
The Somali Night Committee is a small, focused support structure that sits directly under the two Executive Producers. It exists to carry out production work at a detailed level — not to add headcount.
The committee is intentionally small because it is designed to be functional, not bloated. Four members with clear roles will always outperform a large committee with unclear ownership.
Each committee member has a defined lane, a direct point of accountability, and a real contribution to the production. This is not a participation structure — it is a working structure.
Committee responsibilities include:
SSA events are not random. They follow a deliberate programming strategy built around two distinct goals: campus visibility and community depth.
These events are designed for broad student reach. They are typically larger, more social, and more attendance-driven. The goal is visibility, engagement, and campus presence.
These events are intentional and specific. They prioritize depth over scale — conversation, reflection, service, and genuine community value. The goal is connection, not just attendance.
Choreographed dance performances are a central part of Somali Night. Practices are organized and recurring, running 2 times per week under the creative direction of the Executive Producers and Committee Choreographers.
Somali plays (riwaayad) are a core artistic tradition. Scripts are developed, rehearsed, and refined through recurring sessions held 2 times per week. Direction falls under the EP Creative's domain.
Somali Night includes a fashion component that celebrates traditional and contemporary Somali dress. Preparation involves coordination across wardrobe, styling, and staging.
The EP Production leads all backstage systems, venue flow, technical coordination, transitions, and run-of-show execution. Nothing about a show this scale is improvised.
Somali Night draws hundreds of attendees. It is SSA's most visible initiative and its most demanding. Board members involved in Somali Night are expected to treat it with the same discipline they would a professional production.
Somali Night preparation runs across a 10-month timeline. Timeline discipline, rehearsal consistency, and cross-functional coordination are not optional — they are what makes the show work at the level it needs to.
SSA is selective. Not because we want exclusivity — but because the work demands it. We are looking for people who are genuinely ready to contribute at a high level.
Board service at SSA is a 10+ hour per week commitment. This is not a range — it is a floor. During high-production periods like Somali Night preparation, that number goes up. There are sacrifices involved. Many events involve board members working hard to make an experience excellent for others — not simply attending and enjoying it. That is part of what it means to serve the organization.
If you are not willing to commit meaningfully, communicate consistently, work hard behind the scenes, and invest in the team beyond surface-level participation — this is not the right opportunity for you right now. There is no shame in that. Apply when you are ready.
Motivations like "I want to be part of a Somali community" are understandable — but on their own, they are not enough. The strongest applicants show initiative, specificity, and a desire to contribute to something larger than themselves.
If you read everything above — actually read it — then you already know more about SSA than most applicants will. That matters. Here's a little something for you.
Applications are reviewed holistically. There is no perfect candidate — only honest, capable, committed ones.
Start ApplicationHave an event idea, a programming suggestion, or feedback on how SSA can show up better for the community? We genuinely want to hear it.
SSA is for students who are ready to contribute, lead, and execute at a high level. If that is you, we want to hear from you.