LINCOLN – Governor Pete Ricketts has appointed Ruth Mencia of Grand Island, Panashe Jacha of Elkhorn, and Jackson Richling of Grand Island to serve as student trustees on the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees. They will serve a one-year term (2021-2022 academic year) and represent Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State College students.
“The Trustees value the insight and student perspective these young leaders bring to the Board, and it is my honor as Chair of the Board of Trustees to welcome the new Student Trustees,” said Gary Bieganski, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Ruth Mencia – Chadron State College Student Trustee
Mencia, a junior at Chadron State College, is a double major in social work and general business and administration and minoring in human biology. She is the current chair of the campus activity board and serves on the student senate executive board, activities fee board, treasurer of the sports medicine club, and social work club. Ruth is also a PHEAST scholarship recipient. Ruth stated in her application that “As student leaders, our responsibility exceeds advocating student concerns, but empowering student voices. Student leaders such as myself are merely catalysts to unlock the doors of campus improvement.”
Ruth is the daughter of Angel Omar Mencia and Guadalupe Ochoa of Grand Island, Nebraska.
Panashe Jacha – Peru State College Student Trustee
Jacha a junior at Peru State College, is majoring in psychology. Panashe is a member of the student senate, a librarian’s aide, and athletic trainer’s aide. When discussing his appointment, Panashe stated, “I want to be a student trustee because life is too short to live on the sidelines while others make decisions that affect how I and those around me live, and this opportunity will provide me with the tools to help my future Alma Mater be a place of endless opportunities for those who follow after me.”
Panashe is the son of Stanford and Karen Tanyaradwa Jacha of Elkhorn, Nebraska.
Jackson Richling – Wayne State College Student Trustee
Richling, a junior at Wayne State College, is majoring in business administration – marketing and minoring in English. He has served as Student Senate Vice President, a member of Philomathean Honor Society, a week of welcome ambassador, and residence hall association vice president. When asked about his role as a Student Trustee, Jackson stated, “Being a Student Trustee gives me the ability to positively impact my campus community that I am immensely passionate about.”
Jackson is the son of Douglas and Pamela Richling of Grand Island, Nebraska.
The 2020-21 Student Trustees Konery Klueber of Chadron State College, Tyler Harms of Peru State College, and Amanda Jaixen of Wayne State College will work with the new student trustees to orient them until their new term begins in June.
About NSCS and the Board of Trustees
Located in Lincoln Nebraska, and established in 1867, NSCS is the governing board for three state colleges; Chadron State, Peru State, and Wayne State. An established partner within the rural communities they serve, the colleges provide an engaging, personalized and rewarding college experience. NSCS is committed to providing a high-quality four-year education that is affordable and accessible to all students.
