NE North Dakota News

The University of North Dakota (UND) is moving forward with two major construction projects designed to address workforce needs in the state. The $163 million STEM Complex, currently under construction near the Columbia Road overpass, and the proposed Health Professions Collaborative Facility are intended to expand opportunities for students and support North Dakota’s growing demand for skilled professionals.

Ryan Adams, dean of the UND College of Engineering & Mines, said that the new STEM Complex will serve as a prominent recruitment tool for prospective students. “One of the things this will do for Engineering is that it’ll give us a central and prominent location on campus that is easy to get to,” Adams said. He added that advanced facilities and increased visibility would help attract more students into science and engineering fields.

Brad Rundquist, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, described the philosophy behind the project: “The whole philosophy behind the building is student success in science and engineering. Everything about it — the design, the mix of programs, the spaces for teamwork — is meant to recruit and retain students in those fields, because the state needs them.”

Phase One of construction will house Chemistry teaching labs, Forensic Science facilities, and collaborative Engineering spaces. Phase Two will add classrooms and offices for Physics, Mathematics, and other disciplines. Once complete, it will be UND’s largest investment in STEM education.

Stacie Bell, chief clinical research officer for Lupus Therapeutics and a member of UND’s College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board, highlighted benefits beyond just academic instruction: “The new STEM Complex will grow opportunities not only for students but for the broader UND community through multidisciplinary collaboration across departments and with various research partners,” she said. Bell also emphasized that hands-on learning environments prepare students for careers in dynamic fields.

The building’s design encourages interdisciplinary interaction among students from different majors. According to Adams: “This facility changes that. It brings chemistry, physics, math and multiple engineering disciplines together in one place.” The complex also includes innovation spaces where clubs can work on group projects using advanced tools.

State Rep. Mark Sanford noted how modern facilities like these are crucial not just for keeping local high school graduates but also attracting out-of-state talent: “We graduate about 7,500 high school students a year, and even if we kept all of them, it wouldn’t be enough to meet North Dakota’s needs,” he said.

UND has also proposed a Health Professions Collaborative Facility attached to its School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS). Dr. Marjorie Jenkins—dean of SMHS—explained its significance: “When the building is complete, we will be one of the few universities in the country that has almost every health profession under one roof,” she said.

Jenkins believes this integration supports collaboration among faculty and students: “And I think that psychologically ... this will tell our students and faculty alike that we are working together. We’re training together ... it’ll be an amazing opportunity that will let everybody learn from each other.”

Maridee Shogren—dean of UND's College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines—noted how dedicated space enhances interprofessional training: “Our students have learned about teamwork for years,” she said. “But having a dedicated space where they can truly work side by side is a game-changer.”

The facility aims to include simulated hospital environments with advanced mannequins so nursing and medical students can practice team-based care before entering real-world settings. This approach aligns with national trends identified by organizations such as the Interprofessional Education Collaborative, which finds improved patient outcomes when healthcare teams train together.

Shelley McKearney from IPEC stated: "At its core, interprofessional education is about learning with, from and about each other," explaining how respect between professions translates into safer care.

Dr. Joshua Wynne—a former SMHS dean—testified before lawmakers on Senate Bill 2286 supporting planning funds for this expansion by saying previous investments directly reduced physician shortages statewide; further growth could improve both quantity and quality among providers.

Both buildings are part of efforts by UND—including online programs—to keep local residents studying within North Dakota while attracting others from outside through flexible educational offerings.

“These are key fields — science, technology, engineering and math — that are central to almost every sector of our economy," Sanford added regarding broader impacts on state development.

Rundquist concluded by emphasizing retention goals: "This project is about giving students what they need to succeed and to stay in North Dakota when they graduate."