The BEST Board

Boasting Exceptional Student Talent

Big Ideas. Real World Thinking. Inspired Action.

At Minnesota State University, Mankato that mindfulness starts as students channel their talents toward personal growth and leadership development.

In Spring 2015, the Centennial Student Union crafted the means for Boasting Exceptional Student Talent among those evolving leaders. Each semester since then, the BEST Board display in the CSU Hearth Lounge spotlights eight students selected for campus student leadership and CSU student staff excellence.

The faces and words of these BEST students exemplify both active and quiet leadership that enhances campus life at Minnesota State Mankato.

This site is dedicated to the continuing BEST Board tradition. It recognizes students who, each semester, serve on the BEST Board and welcome visitors to the CSU. Each became the face of leadership and the example of personal reward that comes from accepting the challenge.

As the tradition continues so does exemplary leadership for other students to emulate.

FALL 2026 BEST BOARD RECIPIENTS ARE:  Daria Oelkers (Student Events Team), Cameron Walke (Campus Rec), Shashank Reddy (Kearney International Center), Pratik Mandal (CSU Operations), Slava Sotov (CSU Technical Crew), Otto Hanlon (Res Life), Shelby Roerick (Fraternity and Sorority Life), and Lana Braun (Community Engagement). View the complete list of past BEST Board honorees.