North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed NDSU student Erica Solberg to a one-year term as the student representative on the State Board of Higher Education. He made the announcement May 22.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled,” Solberg said. “As the student member, I look forward to working with the students across our state. I feel very blessed to be able to serve and give back to the university system that has given me so much."

Solberg is a senior from Bismarck, North Dakota, and anticipates graduating from NDSU in spring 2021 with majors in political science and journalism. She has served as a student senator in student government, held leadership positions in Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and is a reporter for The Spectrum student newspaper.

“Erica’s experience and engagement in many aspects of student life, as well as her vision for the future of higher education, will provide valuable insight for the board during a time of unprecedented change for our colleges and universities,” Burgum said.

Solberg’s term on the board begins July 1.

Solberg said her top priority is to ensure the state’s campuses have safe environments when in-person classes resume in the fall.

“We need to enable our institutions to take the necessary precautions so that all of the aspects that enhance students' college experience can once again continue,” she said. “Second, I believe that mental health now more than ever is an issue we need to invest in. Aside from the physical health effects of COVID-19, there are also mental health effects from this pandemic. Third, my goal is to help strengthen the connections among our universities with businesses in our region.”

The Board of Higher Education has eight voting members appointed by the governor, including one student member, and two non-voting members who represent the North Dakota University System’s faculty and staff. The board oversees the system’s 11 public colleges and universities.

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