Position: Minnesota Great Lakes Student Coordinator
Organization: Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC)

The Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) is a national nonprofit working to eliminate food, housing, and financial insecurity as barriers to college success. In order to support state-level policy development related to college student basic needs in the Great Lakes region, SBNC is hiring one student from Minnesota to serve as a Great Lakes Student Coordinator.

This role focuses on undergraduate-level policy research, landscape analysis, student voice collection, and public-facing policy engagement related to college students' access to basic needs supports, with particular emphasis on state-level and system-level higher education policy.

Expectations & Responsibilities:

Policy Research & Landscape Analysis:
Conduct a structured state policy landscape scan examining Minnesota state-level and system-level higher education policies affecting college student basic needs, including SNAP access for college students. Analyze existing policies, guidance, administrative practices, and institutional efforts to identify gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement. Synthesize findings into a written memo to inform SBNC's spring policy recommendation development.

Student Town Halls & Qualitative Data Collection:
Plan and host statewide virtual town halls for Minnesota college students to gather qualitative data on barriers to accessing basic needs resources. Facilitate town halls across multiple stages, including: (1) surfacing student testimony and lived experiences, (2) presenting draft policy recommendations and soliciting feedback, and (3) sharing final policy recommendations and validating alignment with student priorities. Document key themes and insights to support policy analysis and reporting.

Public Writing & Policy Communication:
Draft student-authored op-eds or opinion pieces grounded in policy research and student input for student newspapers, regional outlets, or higher education-focused publications. Translate research findings and student perspectives into clear, accessible, and nonpartisan public-facing language.

Regional Collaboration:
Participate in biweekly cohort meetings and trainings with other Great Lakes Student Coordinators and SBNC staff, as well as quarterly convenings hosted by the Urban Institute, to support cross-state learning and collaboration.

Mentorship & Professional Development:
Engage in biweekly 1:1 meetings with SBNC's Campus Program Manager (alternating weeks with cohort meetings) for coaching, feedback, and skill development related to policy analysis, facilitation, and systems change.

Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled at a college or university (community college, technical school, 2-year or 4-year institution; undergraduate or graduate) in Minnesota.
• Must be a domestic student (due to federal labor restrictions, international students are not eligible for this paid position).
• Commitment of 5 hours per week.
• Ability to balance independent research with collaborative work and structured timelines.
• Interest in public policy, higher education, student advocacy, and/or basic needs access.
• Commitment to a nonpartisan, student-centered approach.

Compensation:

• $17/hour, ~5 hours per week
• 99% remote, with occasional opportunities for virtual or in-person convenings.