Nina Johnson, director of the Hobson Memorial Union at Bemidji State University, has been named the 2025 Service Faculty of the Year by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

Johnson was honored at a statewide ceremony in St. Paul on April 16, where she was celebrated for her decade of student-focused leadership, innovation and dedication to service.

“Nina Johnson has limitless energy and enthusiasm for students, a passion for service to campus and community and a drive for continuous improvement — both in her own professional growth and in the operations of Bemidji State University’s Hobson Memorial Union,” said John L. Hoffman, president of Bemidji State and NTC — Bemidji’s Technical College.

Since joining BSU in 2013, Johnson has transformed Hobson Memorial Union into a more inclusive, student-centered environment. Promoted to director in 2017, she introduced the Entrepreneurial Operating System to improve operational focus and accountability. She also formed a student advisory board to guide facility upgrades and programming.

“She has implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System which helps leaders focus on six key components of business management,” Hoffman said. “This change has helped the union and its staff focus on priorities and effectively and efficiently drive change.”

Her leadership reaches beyond facilities. Johnson launched a partnership with the United Way of Bemidji Area in 2019 to create Bucky’s Cupboard, a campus food pantry. She has since helped secure long-term funding through the BSU Alumni & Foundation and coordinated the Hunger-Free Campus Task Force to elevate awareness of student food insecurity.

In support of student wellbeing, Johnson led early adoption of gender-neutral restrooms and provided menstrual products in all union restrooms — initiatives that predated state mandates.

“Nina also has embodied our core value of diversity, equity and inclusion, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Hobson Memorial Union is a welcoming and supportive place for each and every one of our students,” Hoffman said.

In addition to her work with students, Johnson has served the BSU community in numerous leadership roles. She was president of the MSUAASF campus chapter from 2021 to 2024, advised Student Senate and the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee, and served on the Budget Advisory Group, dining services committee and Bias Incident Response Team.

She also brings a strong focus on professional growth, completing certification in mental health first aid, becoming a 7 Habits trainer and providing workshops for staff.

“No matter how you look at the five criteria that the Board of Trustees has established for this honor — leadership, expertise, advancement of equity and inclusion, professional development and commitment to student success — Nina Johnson excels,” Hoffman said.

The Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in University Service is Minnesota State’s highest recognition for administrative service faculty. Johnson was selected from a competitive pool of Outstanding Service Faculty across the system’s universities.

For more information about the Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence, visit MinnState.edu/BOTAwards.