Tessa Erdmann Announced as the 2023-2024 South Dakota State University CAFES Advocate

The South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) student body has voted in Tessa Erdmann, an agricultural communications student from Groton to serve as the 2023-2024 CAFES Advocate on the college’s Prexy Council Executive team. The position is the only position voted on by the entire CAFES student body and serves as the voice for all students within Prexy Council. The Advocate is tasked with representing students and bringing new ideas to the table that will highlight and benefit CAFES students. 

Prexy Council is the governing body of all SDSU CAFES clubs and organizations. The group hosts numerous socials and events throughout the year such as Ag Day. Each year, a committee composed of a CAFES student senator, Prexy Council executive officer and Prexy Council advisor interview students nominated for the advocate role on behalf of their clubs and narrow down the finalist pool to three individuals. 

In addition to Erdmann, this year’s finalists included Kristen Smith, an agricultural communication student from College Springs, Iowa, and Brynn Lozinski, an animal science and agricultural communications student from Clara City, Minnesota. 

Once selected, finalists had the opportunity to share their platforms with clubs and students, and campaign via social media. Voting for CAFES advocates took place on March 22 and 23, 2023 in conjunction with the Students’ Association Elections. 

Erdmann hopes to connect with CAFES students and be a voice for what students need from Prexy Council. She also plans to keep an open line of communication with students by writing a CAFES report that will include information about CAFES news, scholarships, job/internship opportunities, club happenings and more. Throughout her year of service, Erdmann has numerous goals she would like to accomplish  including working closely with Students’ Association to learn more about funding opportunities, connecting with industry professionals to create more opportunities for CAFES students. She intends to work closely with CAFES administrative leaders throughout her term as advocate.  

“I am truly honored to have been selected by the CAFES students for the position of CAFES Advocate. I am excited for lots of things through this position,” said Erdmann “I am most excited to be a voice for CAFES students as well as have the opportunity to be a part of all the amazing things Prexy Council does for CAFES students.”