Somali Student Association

The Somali Student Association (SSA or SSAUMN) is a student organization at the University of Minnesota that aims to connect Somali students at the University of Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

Somali Student Association logo (2010)

It was formed in response to the growing number of Somali students at the University of Minnesota and has become most notable as the largest Somali Student Organization in the United States encompassing over 500 members. SSA has programs where students who are from different backgrounds can come and learn from each other. Also, educational programs which are beneficial to any student from the Twin Cities.[1] SSA is key in exhibiting the cultural heritage of Somalis at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities as well as the surrounding communities.

Somali Culture Day Event

Mission

Somali Student Association helps to connect Somali Students at the University of Minnesota with an environment of communication and collaboration.[2]

The organization's mission is to help new Somali students with different aspects of college life. Some of those aspects include helping Somali students learn more about financial aid, careers and work opportunities. Collaboration is a key aspect in which SSA wishes to develop with events like 'SSA Collaboration:Skills Workshop' and Brian Coyle Mentor-ship. With events like Cultural Sensitivity on campus with SMP and UMPD and Somali Cultural Day, the organization wishes to develop communication with the University Community. The organizations open-forums and annual meetings are designed to adhere to the voices of the greater Somali Community and the University of Minnesota.

Activities

Some of the organizations activities include:

Essential Activities During the School Year
Iftar
Freshmen Welcome/ Open House
Brian Coyle Mentorship
Eid Celebration
Pre-College Workshop
Sisters Night
Know your Rights Forum
SSA Collaboration/ Skills Workshop
Cultural Sensitivity on campus with SMP and UMPD
Friday Halaqa (Every Friday @4:30pm)
Healthy Breakfast (Every first Friday of the month)
Somali Cultural Day
STD Forum
Somali Minnesota Voice Day
Graduation
Far-well Dinner
Fall 2016 Event Schedule Spring 20167 Event Schedule
Fall Kickoff (9/13/16) TBD
Eid Bonfire (9/29/16)
General Body Meeting #1 (10/05/16)
Sheeko & Shaah (10/21/16)
Ladu Tournament (11/03/16)
SSA Heal, Organize, Liberate (11/10/16)
SSA Brunch (11/18)
Lecture Series: History of the Somali Language (11/18/16)
'A Stray' Screening (12/07/16)

Board

There are nine members on the board including the president. In Fall 2010 school year, the SSA Board ratified to have the Technology Coordinator position to be removed and in its place to have Historian/Webmaster.

The Executive Board
President
Vice President
Events Coordinator
Fundraising and Grant Coordinator
Secretary
Treasurer
Historian
Public Relations
Outreach Coordinator
Cultural & Educational Affairs Coordinator

References
  1. Student Union Activities Group Description Archived 2009-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Somali Student Association Website Archived 2009-04-26 at the Wayback Machine
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