Winona State University has employed a former Somali foreign minister whose spouse, Kadija, is connected to the Feeding Our Future organization. The hiring process involved a family connection, as a relative of the minister's wife serves as the director of diversity at the institution. The former minister, Awad, does not possess a master's degree; his previous ministerial position was facilitated through a relationship with Ilhan Omar. His current teaching position at Winona State University was secured through a connection to Tim Walz, whose associate holds the director of diversity position and appears in photographs with the governor.