Alumni in the Community
Meet the new board members
The Metro State alumni community got a boost this fall when the Alumni Board of Directors welcomed four new members! Zuki Ellis ’11, Kami Miller ’24, Carol Njogu ’11, and Susan Shanks ’22 were selected by the board to help lead their efforts to create connections and opportunities for Metro State alumni.
Zuki Ellis, ’11 Ethnic Studies, ’25 Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership
Zuki Ellis was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and raised in Rondo. She received her BA with a double major in Social Science and Ethnic Studies from Metro State. Zuki is a parent of four, a partner, friend, and troublemaker. She works at Knowledge Works and partners with Engage MN as a consultant.
Zuki serves as the president of Friends of Oxford Pool, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships that cover the cost of swim lessons and water safety for youth ages 4-21 in the City of Saint Paul. Zuki continues her advocacy work in the community where she grew up and still lives, fighting for education, civil rights, youth leadership, special education, and disability rights.
Kami Miller ’24, Business Administration
Kami Miller graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Business Administration in 2024. During her time at Metro, she served on the student senate, where she held the positions of vice chair and chair of the Black Student Union. She brings her expertise as an administrative analyst to her work on the board, including a background in providing budgeting support, ensuring government compliance, and overseeing office management. Kami is currently the chair of the Equity Commission for the City of New Brighton and vice chair of the Ramsey County Library Board.
Carol Njogu ‘11, Business Administration
Carol holds an MBA from the School of Business and Management. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in strategic marketing, brand development, and partner engagement across nationally recognized organizations (Andersen Corp, Cummins Inc., Hearthand Home). Currently, she leads go-to-market and channel marketing initiatives that drive business growth and strengthen stakeholder relationships at Forge & Flame. Her professional experience is complemented by a strong commitment to mentorship, inclusive leadership, and community impact. Carol is proud to contribute her expertise to support the university’s mission and enhance alumni engagement and connection.
Susan Shanks ‘22, Management Information Systems
Susan Shanks earned a master's in Management Information Systems with a focus on Business Analytics from Metro State University. She is an internal auditor at United Natural Foods Incorporated (UNFI), concentrating on integrated and operational audits. She is an active member of the Education Committee at the Twin Cities Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Susan is deeply committed to raising awareness about business career opportunities for minority groups, utilizing both her professional expertise and volunteer efforts to make a positive impact.