David Shittu, a senior at Southwest Minnesota State University, has been elected to serve as the
treasurer of Students United, a non-profit organization that serves the more than 65,000 students currently attending Minnesota’s seven state universities. Students United is recognized by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees as the sole representatives of
state university students in Minnesota.

Shittu, who is double majoring in mathematics and computer science, ran in a special election for
the position of treasurer after the previous treasurer resigned. To determine who would be elected to serve as treasurer, David and the other candidates participated in a candidate forum held at Minnesota State University Moorhead in November of 2018. The forum was led by 45 student delegates from the seven state universities of Minnesota.

“It was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences I have ever had,” said Shittu. “You have no idea what questions you will be asked. You just have to think on your toes and give the best answer possible. It was a very professional and educational experience.”

Shittu has experience creating budgets and monitoring spending from the time he spent serving on the SMSU Student Association as a treasurer. He began serving as acting treasurer for Students United on Jan. 2. As the treasurer of Students United, Shittu’s responsibilities include overseeing finances and signing off on legal matters.

Aside from his responsibilities as treasurer, one of Shittu’s goals is to increase student awareness of Students United at all seven of the Minnesota State universities. He wants to get students involved with Students United and help them understand where and how money is being spent on their college campuses. Shittu also wants to help Students United to better meet the needs of non-traditional college students.