Dr. Andrew Armacost, President | University of North Dakota
Dr. Andrew Armacost, President | University of North Dakota
President Andrew Armacost of the University of North Dakota (UND) recently spoke with Carly Flaagan, director of the university's relaunched Music Therapy degree program. The conversation took place as part of President Armacost’s biweekly video series.
Carly Flaagan, who grew up in East Grand Forks and graduated from UND’s Music Therapy program, discussed her experiences working as a music therapist in Colorado and Grand Forks before returning to lead the program at UND.
During their discussion, President Armacost asked Flaagan about the field of music therapy and her reaction when she learned that the degree program would return after a ten-year hiatus. Flaagan expressed enthusiasm for her work and highlighted the broad applications of music therapy. She noted that UND now offers the only music therapy degree program in North Dakota.
Flaagan described music therapy as having "endless possibilities" within health care settings. She explained that it can assist with neurodevelopment in newborns and help reduce anxiety for patients preparing for surgery. According to Flaagan, "music can be an 'agent of change to improve quality of life and health care outcomes.'"
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