NE North Dakota News

For the third consecutive year, University of North Dakota President Andy Armacost and Ryan Zerr, associate vice president for Strategy & Implementation, have addressed the UND community at the start of the academic year. Their letter introduces a special edition of UND Today that examines the university’s UND LEADS Strategic Plan.

Each story in this issue highlights a program or activity at UND that reflects one of the plan’s core values: Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery, and Service. The September 30 issue will focus specifically on “Learning.”

Armacost and Zerr emphasize the collective achievements of individuals within the campus community. They state: "The success of UND is the story of the successes of all of you – the many individuals who together make up our campus community. By coming together to learn, collaborating to discover and pitching in to serve, we make UND a place with an educational environment focused on everyone’s enrichment, empowerment and success."

They discuss how being part of a community shapes learning experiences at UND. According to them: "We are a community of learners – all of us are striving to learn and help others learn. In connecting learning with a ‘sense of wonder,’ the UND LEADS strategic plan acknowledges that the process of learning is not only important for how it helps us meet our career aspirations. It is also important for how it satisfies our curiosity and enriches our understanding of the world – and the people – around us."

They note that learning supports personal growth and builds communities through shared experiences in classes, organizations, or residence halls.

The letter further explains that discovery at UND depends on collaboration: "UND LEADS also describes a ‘love of discovery’ as a key component to the fabric of UND. Here too, community is critical. Collaborations are the lifeblood of discovery, whether in the form of one-on-one faculty mentorship of individual students or as multi-person research teams conducting studies in the lab."

Service is another value highlighted by Armacost and Zerr: "The Service core value of UND LEADS calls for a ‘commitment to people and communities.’ In this way our strategic plan prioritizes elements of our work which build, sustain and empower communities. It calls on us to use our talents and resources to build on shared values and to value differences as opportunities to grow."

Equity and affinity guide how these activities are carried out at UND. The authors write: "If learning, discovery, and service are what we do as members of the campus community, the ‘how’ involves equitable, inclusive, kind and supportive actions." They add: "UND LEADS describes equity as ‘opportunities for success’ – opportunities that allow everyone to realize their full potential... We seek to reduce barriers to achieving a UND education, thereby expanding access to communities across the state, nation and world."

On fostering belonging through affinity efforts they say: "Through deliberate efforts to ensure current members... feel safe, respected and valued... we create opportunities for one another to grow." They continue: "Fostering a campus culture that celebrates... connection... helps us uplift voices, foster collaboration and enhance educational opportunities."

Armacost and Zerr encourage reflection on building an environment where everyone can learn and belong: "This year please reflect upon ways we all contribute to a campus where people can learn thrive and belong. Our sincere efforts... will embody what it means for this to be Year of Community."

Community members can provide feedback about the strategic plan via its home page.

Questions or comments about UND LEADS may be directed by email either to Ryan Zerr or Anna Marie Kinney.