NE North Dakota News

Ten years ago, the University of North Dakota (UND) faced significant challenges, including budget cuts, program closures, and aging infrastructure. Headlines from 2016 and 2017 in the Grand Forks Herald highlighted layoffs, elimination of sports programs, and a pressing need for facility repairs.

In contrast, UND has now reported record enrollment for fall 2025. The university counts 15,844 students this semester, an increase of 825 from last year. This growth marks a significant turnaround from the struggles of the previous decade.

Dr. Casey Ryan, a physician and former Altru Health System president who joined the State Board of Higher Education in 2017, commented on UND's progress: “UND is knocking it out of the park.” He credited transformational leadership at UND for guiding the institution through tight budgets and new opportunities. Ryan acknowledged Interim President Ed Schafer, former President Mark Kennedy, former Interim President Joshua Wynne, and current President Andy Armacost for their roles during challenging times.

Ryan also emphasized contributions from state legislators, donors, faculty, and staff: “I see people on campus who are happier, people who are smiling,” he said. “It’s a remarkable story, and in multiple ways, it has exceeded all expectations.”

Peter Johnson, who retired as interim vice president for University and Public Affairs in 2017 and now serves with the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, noted that Schafer set the stage during his six-month term as interim president by making difficult budget decisions to prioritize key areas such as research and maintenance.

Mark Kennedy continued these efforts between 2016 and 2019 by implementing further cuts. According to Janelle Kilgore, vice provost for Strategic Enrollment Management: “We really had to stop and regroup as a campus, reconnect with those who were still here, then identify our biggest challenges and barriers and kind of go on from there.”

The OneUND Strategic Plan directed resources toward student retention and research growth. When COVID-19 disrupted higher education nationally, UND's prior focus on online education helped it grow enrollment during the pandemic—a period when many universities saw declines.

Physical improvements followed strategic planning. Outdated buildings were demolished while new facilities such as the Steam Plant, Memorial Union, Nistler College of Business and Public Administration building, athletic centers, residence halls—and soon a $163 million STEM complex—were constructed or renovated.

UND has received recognition for its military-friendly initiatives with Gold status awards. Its focus on national security led to projects like SpaceX rocket launches carrying UND satellites operated by students and faculty. Next year will mark another milestone as lasers will be used to transmit messages across three campus buildings—an initiative unique among U.S. universities.

The university also earned Carnegie "R1" status as a top-tier research institution. The UND Alumni Association & Foundation surpassed its $500 million fundraising goal ahead of schedule and raised its target to $625 million by 2026.

President Armacost has been recognized for continuing these advancements: “President Armacost is not just succeeding. He’s hugely succeeding,” Ryan said. “He’s clearly the right person for the right time.”

Johnson agreed that success came from collective effort: “But the point is, UND has not simply been thriving all along,” he said. “Eight years ago we went through a massive budget cutting exercise… we wound up losing lots of people.” Johnson described UND’s recovery as an example of effective higher education leadership across campus and state government.

Today’s record enrollment figures are part of a broader story about institutional renewal at UND over the past decade.