Prakash Ranganathan heading up important new online degree in cyber security this fall

UND Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering Prakash Ranganathan (above right) scales the leading edge of cyber security innovation. He’ll launch a new online master’s degree program this fall by parterning with national leader Pearson Online Learning. Photo by Jackie Lorentz/UND Today.

It happens every day.

You hear about a security breach, and hope your data is safe. Most of all, you hope the problem is fixed and your data stays secure.

The problem is — there just aren’t enough experts to protect that data.

Prakash Ranganathan

A new UND online master’s degree in cyber security will help address that shortage.

“The cyber threats are real,” said Prakash Ranganathan, assistant professor of electrical engineering and cyber security program director. “The number of cyber security-related jobs already outpaces the number of qualified people, and that demand is growing rapidly.”

UND’s new online master’s of science degree offers four tracks that enable students to study how best to anticipate and stop hackers, including autonomous systems, data security, cyber security and behavior, and general cyber security. It is housed at the College of Engineering & Mines.

Starting this fall, students can earn the degree in just 22 months, an attractive proposition for those seeking to study online and quickly gain high-demand skills. The program delivers one course at a time every seven weeks, allowing students to focus and master each topic. It also incorporates a multi-month capstone course so students can practice solving a real-world security situation in an industry environment.

The degree is offered through the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the UND College of Engineering & Mines, but it’s an interdisciplinary program that also includes psychology and math. It’s open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree, regardless of major. A bridge course covers basics for students without programming, circuits, calculus and statistics knowledge.

Well-rounded program

“A well-rounded program is key,” said Ranganathan, who noted that faculty from a number of disciplines designed the curriculum and will teach courses including electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering and psychology. Cyber security industry experts will co-teach some courses and modules.

“There is a need in the state and nation for this program,” said Ranganathan, adding that in 2017, millions of U.S. citizens were affected by cyber crime. “Attacks are growing in frequency and sophistication, whether they are large-scale incidents affecting millions of people, or small-scale events impacting only a few.” Between 2017 and 2020, cyber security spending is expected to exceed $1 trillion, he said.

With a background in cyber data and sensors, Ranganathan is an active cyber security researcher who includes students in a number of funded projects, including a Rockwell Collins-funded project. His expertise is focused on defending and securing the power grid, developing secure software, data security, and optimization models. In addition to teaching, Ranganathan is part of the UND Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS), where is serves as lead for cyber security and data supply chain issues.

UND’s new cyber security master’s degree offers four tracks that enable students to study how best to anticipate and stop hackers, including autonomous systems, data security, cyber security and behavior, and general cyber security. Stock image by Stocksy.

Leading the way

UND has been in the forefront of this area and UND’s research and academic strengths make this a particularly well-rounded program.

“I’m so excited that our new School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science will continue to offer online programs in strategically important areas for our state, region and nation,” said Hesham El-Rewini, dean of the College of Engineering & Mines. “In addition to cyber security, the school offers programs in data science, computer science, electrical engineering and bio-medical engineering.”

“This is a UND Engineering program,” said Ranganathan. “It builds on decades of Engineering’s expertise in online programs, and we’ve added the specialized services of a third party to ensure an even larger presence in online education. UND was one of the first in the nation to offer online engineering programs and we are continuing to lead the way by adding to our offerings.”

Pearson Online Learning will help develop the digital presentation of course content and market the program and provide student support services.

Other programs offered in Cyber Security this fall are a bachelor’s of science degree, available both on-campus and online, and a graduate certificate.

The new degrees help fulfill Goal 3 of the One UND Strategic Plan, deliver opportunity online and on-campus.

“I am very excited that UND faculty members are committed to offering such important courses and programs that students want and are so relevant to current society needs,” said UND Provost Thomas DiLorenzo.

“Employers increasingly want to see experience in the new graduates they are looking to hire,” said Hesham El-Rewini, dean of the College of Engineering & Mines. “Not only does participation in an internship or coop make the student a more attractive candidate but it also enables the student to gain valuable experience while they take their career path on a test drive.”

“The College of Engineering & Mines and the departments of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science are at the forefront of providing a cyber security degree program completely online,” said Jeff Holm, faculty fellow/vice provost for online education & strategic planning. “It is an excellent addition to UND’s online degree offerings and demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking that has characterized the College under Dean El-Rewini’s leadership.”

“The United States is at a crucial juncture,” said Ranganathan. “Cyber threats and successful attacks increase every day, yet academic institutions struggle to produce students who can be effective in the fight. Today’s cyber security experts must possess a strong understanding of 21st-century cyber criminals, their methodologies, tools and constantly evolving strategies. UND’s program is unique.”

Response rate well above national average, as more than 3,300 students provide administration with road map for future

According to results of a recent survey, UND students’ feelings on campus safety, welfare and commitment to diversity were better than national averages. The data from the survey will help University staff and administrators identify ways to improve UND’s campus climate. Photo by Shawna Schill/UND Today.

The results are in.

Cara Halgren

UND is doing a lot right when it comes to campus climate, said Cara Halgren about the results of a recent survey on student experiences with diversity, inclusion and sexual violence.

The survey was administered by the Education Advisory Board (EAB), which conducts similar surveys nationwide, said Halgren, vice president for student affairs and diversity. Results will give campus staff and administrators a baseline as they work to improve the student experience.

An action item for Goal 5 (foster a welcoming, safe and inclusive campus climate) of the One UND Strategic Plan, the survey will continue to be administered each year to track progress. More information is available here.

“This is the first time we’ve done the survey,” said Halgren, who added she was pleased with the response rate for UND, which was 26 percent compared to 17 percent nationally.  A total of 3,301 UND students took the survey.

“A 26 percent completion rate is outstanding,” said Halgren. “And the results are generally very positive.”

A summary of survey results is available here.

Regarding diversity, 83 percent of UND students, who took the survey, feel that UND leaders are committed to fostering diversity, and 76 percent felt welcomed and supported regardless of background. (Above) UND students participate in a Japan Culture Night, a signature University signature devoted to diversity on campus. Photo by Tyler Ingham/UND Today.

Quick takes

Students feel safe at UND, according to the survey, in which 97 percent of students agreed with the statement, compared to 92 percent of students at public institutions across the nation.

UND students also feel that faculty are concerned about their welfare. Eighty-five percent agreed with that statement, while 81 percent of students at public institutions felt that way. Sixty-eight percent felt that UND administrators are concerned about them, compared to 69 percent nationally.

A majority of UND students, 55 percent, said they had received sexual violence prevention training in the past year, and that number climbed to 67 percent for first-year UND students. Nationally, 61 percent of all public university students and 74 percent of first-year students reported receiving training.

Six percent of UND students reported experiencing sexual violence during the school year, compared to 7 percent nationally. Students – 78 percent – said they would know where to get help if they experienced sexual violence, compared to 81 percent nationally. UND students said they believe campus authorities would take a report seriously at 81 percent, compared to 79 percent nationally.

Regarding diversity, 83 percent of UND students feel that UND leaders are committed to fostering diversity, and 76 percent felt welcomed and supported regardless of background.

About 35 percent of students said they feel like they need to hide some aspects of their identity to fit in at UND, compared to 40 percent nationally. That number climbed to 46 percent for UND students who identified as black or African American, and 40 percent nationally.

The number of students who reported discrimination or harassment was significantly below national numbers, with 12 percent at UND and 18 percent at public institutions. Just 7 percent of UND students reported the incident, compared to 9 percent nationally.

Donna Smith

Next steps

Now that they have the data, UND staff and administrators will begin identifying ways to improve the campus climate as they work to fulfill the goals of the Strategic Plan.

Cassie Gerhardt

“We’ll take this information to campus groups that are working on sexual violence prevention, diversity and inclusion issues,” said Donna Smith, director of EEO/Affirmative Action. “The president has directed us to develop a series of action items to move the campus forward and continue to improve.”

“There are things we need to work on,” said Sara Kaiser, assistant director of the office of student rights and responsibilities. “The response rate was better than expected. The information we learned from the survey will help us highlight what we are doing well, and what areas deserve more attention.”

“To do the work, we need a baseline,” said Cassie Gerhardt, associate dean of students. “This provides a roadmap for priorities.”

Online focus can help UND succeed

Psychology faculty member Jeff Holm is serving as vice provost for online education and strategic planning. One of his goals is to grow UND’s online offerings and help the University navigate changes in higher ed. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

Higher education is changing.

In the nation and in the state, universities are competing for fewer students and declining resources, and more students are expected to take courses online than ever before.

Jeff Holm is focused on helping UND navigate those changes.

“I believe the data show that universities that don’t change or adapt in the next 10 years will be in trouble,” said Holm, a psychology faculty member who was recently named vice provost for online education and strategic planning.

His goals are to boost online enrollment, improve UND’s name recognition nationally and globally, and increase online retention. He will also oversee the University Analytics and Planning office (formerly the office of institutional research and effectiveness).

Holm, who is serving as a Faculty Fellow, spends half of his time focusing on online education, a quarter on University analytics and planning and the remaining 25 percent on special projects.

Understanding data

He’s a data guy.

“I think it’s critical that we understand UND’s data,” Holm said. “Data-informed decision making is critically important and will benefit our online offerings and the University as whole.”

He cites two alarming statistics: After the Great Recession of 2008, the birthrate in the U.S. plummeted, and those numbers have not recovered. That means the number of high school graduates – and college students – will also drop.

This will add to an already competitive landscape for universities in which many are already struggling and more and more are closing each year.  Since 2012, 656 colleges eligible to award financial aid have closed.

Holm is focused on making sure that doesn’t happen at UND.

He wants to make UND a national resource for high quality, affordable education, both on campus and online.

It’s part of the One UND Strategic Plan Goal 3: deliver more educational opportunity online and on campus.

“Online education and on-campus education are not competitors,” he said. “There is a place for both. To be successful on campus, you offer a different experience – living in a residence hall, attending class, taking advantage of on-campus opportunities. And, I believe that Gov. Burgum is correct that online education is critical for higher education to succeed, in the future. If we don’t do it, others will. UND needs to be national and global.”

Focus on the future

Holm is working to expand online educational opportunities. “Online education has a lot of positives for students. They don’t have to move here, quit their jobs, be full time or travel. But it often comes with a higher risk for failure. We need to build in extra services to counteract that.”

He said that our faculty understand that online courses have to be designed appropriately, and we must be prepared to teach online courses differently.

“We need excellent online programs with great courses that are easy to follow and engaging, with programs that meet students’ interests and needs,” he said. “They also must get the right kind of assistance from the University in a virtual world to be successful. Again, our faculty understand this and have risen to the challenge.”

The University has engaged Pearson Online Learning to provide services for some programs that UND is currently unable to offer.

“They have the ability to provide services we haven’t developed, such as targeted marketing and student success services meeting the unique needs of online students,” Holm said. “How do students know what we offer? Pearson can help us communicate how good our programs are and get our message out there. ”

UND can have the best programs and courses in the world, Holm said. “But if no one knows about them, no one benefits – students, UND, or North Dakota.”

Online opportunity

The first two programs using Pearson services include masters’ degrees in accountancy and cyber security, with more to come.

Holm knows that online programs can have higher dropout and lower success rates than on campus programs, and is ensuring these issues are being addressed in UND’s online programs, beginning with those using Pearson services.

In addition to marketing programs, UND has asked Pearson to provide a “success coach” to help students navigate the higher education process.

“One person is assigned to the student, and will follow them until graduation. They will help with time management and help ensure students succeed,” Holm said, adding that he wants to bring that into other programs at UND.

“I am confident that Jeff’s leadership in reaching more students through our online programs will strengthen UND,” said President Kennedy. “His efforts to deliver better information to department heads, deans and the provost will allow us to better meet the needs of on campus and online students alike.”

“Jeff is doing a fabulous job,” said Tom DiLorenzo, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “He’s a very productive faculty member and former chair, with an extensive background in statistics. He will help us make data-informed decisions.”

“We can shape what people are looking for and expecting from Higher Education,” Holm said. “The quicker we respond, the better the odds UND will be here in 30 years.”

Analysis: UND enrolls most academically prepared freshmen ever, sees uptick in transfers thanks to new programs

UND’s 2018 first-day fall enrollment tally includes the best-prepared cohort of new freshmen to date, includng the most UND Presidential Scholars in the University’s history, more than 160 Honors Program students (a significant increase), and has higher overall high school grade point averages than any previous class. Photo by Shawna Schill/UND Today.

The University of North Dakota’s first day enrollment snapshot suggests UND’s strategy to recruit the most academically prepared freshmen is paying off.

UND takes its final and official enrollment count the fourth week of classes.  It also takes a first day enrollment snapshot.  For the beginning of the 2018-19 academic year, UND posted a first-day enrollment of 13,445.  That number includes the best-prepared cohort of new freshmen to date.  UND’s freshman class of 1,844 includes the most UND Presidential Scholars in the University’s history, more than 160 Honors Program students (a significant increase), and has higher overall high school grade point averages than any previous class. 

UND’s strategy to streamline the transfer process is also paying off.  Programs, such as 2 plus 2, which allow students to more seamlessly transfer to UND from other institutions, have resulted in attracting 724 transfer students to UND, up by 62 over last year.  If you include students who transferred to UND starting with the Summer Session, there are 899 transfer students at UND for their first Fall Semester.

UND has been part of a national trend that has seen overall enrollments decrease across the United State during the past six years.  In fact, UND’s highest enrollment was in 2012, when the overall student count ballooned by 553 to 15,250.  In addition to graduating the last of that enrollment bubble created by the huge enrollment spike in 2012, UND President Mark Kennedy said UND is adjusting to two planned-for variables that it knew would affect enrollment numbers in the short term.  

Last academic year, UND busted a number of barriers to graduation, including changing the number of credits most undergraduate students need to graduate from 125 to 120.  The change puts UND in line with most universities and colleges.  The good news, said Kennedy, is that students will be just as prepared but will be more likely to graduate in four years.  For many students, the extra one to five or more credits meant another semester, and in some cases, another year at the university.  It also meant that more students were able to graduate this spring and summer, when UND saw large graduating classes.  Nearly 350 students who otherwise would have been back this semester were able to graduate.

“Although we knew this would affect our enrollment in the short term, this was the right thing to do for the students,” said Kennedy.  The resulting boost to UND’s graduation rate will enhance the University’s attractiveness to prospective students.

He also noted that UND has made great strides in retention through a number of efforts, such as better advising practices and the rigorous use of the Starfish program.  The development and implementation of a new academic planner will also help students succeed through to graduation.

UND President Mark Kennedy visits with a group of new students at an ice cream social held in honor of the entire incoming freshmen class on Saturday at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. Photo by David Dodds/UND Today.

Building on research

Another change also had a planned effect on enrollment this fall.  As UND continues to build its research enterprise, the University shifted its approach to recruiting graduate students.  In the past, a significant number of students in master’s programs attended UND on waivers, essentially generating no tuition income.  UND has shifted its emphasis to recruiting doctoral students, who tend to play a larger role in helping faculty conduct research.  In essence, UND is investing more in doctoral students and subsidizing master’s programs with waivers to a much less degree.

UND Provost Tom DiLorenzo

“One of the goals of our One UND Strategic Plan is to build our research capabilities.  To do that, we need to concentrate on recruiting top-notch doctoral students.  We knew that shifting away from recruiting master’s students with waivers would hurt our overall enrollment initially, but this will help us recruit even more high-caliber doctoral students, which will be important as we energize our research programs,” said Kennedy.

Tom DiLorenzo, UND Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said recruiting more doctoral students will have added benefits to the Greater Grand Forks community, since doctoral students will be more likely to have families and to live in the community in apartments and houses. 

Overall, UND’s graduate enrollment is at 2,657, including 1,951 master’s students, 594 doctoral students, and 112 specialist diploma students.

UND’s professional programs, the four-year M.D. program in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and School of Law, are steadily growing at a combined 542.

Other undergraduate student enrollment (non-freshmen) is at 7,678.

In Fall 2017, the overall first day enrollment was 13,958, of which 1,954 were freshmen, 662 transfers, 8,090 other undergraduate students, 2,709 graduate (master’s 2007, doctoral 586, specialist degree 116), and professional 543.

UND beefed up its advertising and marketing significantly over the past year, but Kennedy has said consistently that UND will first see the fruits of those efforts — as well as the payoff from UND’s new mobile friendly web site unveiled in May — starting in Fall 2019.

Helping students always Goal No. 1 for UND Senior Vice Provost Debbie Storrs

In her new role as senior vice provost, Debbie Storrs, formerly dean of the UND College of Arts & Sciences, aims to improve student success and retention while helping students avoid the pitfalls she had as a first-generation college student. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

Debbie Storrs is connecting the dots for student academic success.

In her new role as senior vice provost, Storrs oversees the elements of student academic services, recruitment, retention and support.

It’s a bit different than her previous position as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, where she supported and worked with 4,000 students, 200 faculty members and 18 departments

“What I love about the senior vice provost job is what I love about Arts & Sciences,” said Storrs. “I like the scope, complexity, and connections. From the International Center to enrollment to honors, it’s a diverse set of units that are central to ensuring students have an excellent academic experience at UND.”

Storrs is responsible for leading and collaborating with directors and staff in student academic services, Essential Studies, the honors program, ROTC, International Programs, Strategic Enrollment Management, the registrar’s office, assessment and accreditation, and the Teaching Transformation & Development Academy (TTaDA).

Even though she’s left the College of Arts & Sciences, Storrs will still focus on the value of the liberal arts as captain for Goal 1, strong liberal arts foundation, of the One UND Strategic Plan.

Connecting services, programs

Storrs said her goal is to improve student success and retention by connecting, strengthening, and supporting academic student services and programs.

And she wants to create opportunities while helping students avoid the pitfalls she had as a first-generation college student.

Storrs, like many students, floundered a little when she went to school, and ended up dropping out to work as a transcriptionist for several years. She knew she needed to go back to school, but didn’t have a major. Then she remembered one of her favorite classes.

“I went back to school to major in sociology because I loved an introductory class by Professor Jack Peterson at the University of Alaska,” she said. “The class provided a new lens to the world. The class inspired me to think differently about the world.” Another faculty mentor involved Storrs in research as a work study student, which led her to consider graduate school and ultimately to earn a master’s and doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Oregon.

As a graduate student, she served as a teaching assistant for historian Quintard Taylor, who was known for his teaching prowess.

“Dr. Taylor was a dynamic storyteller,” Storrs remembered. “He made history come alive, relevant, and engaged students through primary documents. No one missed class because it was so engaging. I wanted to teach like him.”

She did.

Storrs earned multiple teaching, advising and other awards at the University of Idaho, and this fall will team-teach an Introduction to University Life class for first-generation students.

“I’m excited to return to the classroom and connect with students,” Storrs said.

As the captain of UND’s Strategic Plan Goal No. 1 — a strong liberal arts foundation — Storrs is looking to the future and watching changes in higher education across the nation and in North Dakota. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

Strong future

As the captain of Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, a strong liberal arts foundation, Storrs is looking to the future and watching changes in higher education – both across the nation and in North Dakota.

“It’s important to implement the Strategic Plan in a way that’s sustainable and ensures a strong future for UND,” said Thomas DiLorenzo, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We know students need liberal arts perspectives and the skills they provide. Our task is to provide that in a way that’s embraced by them.”

Storrs noted that colleges and universities which fail to respond to today’s students are consolidating, closing or realigning their missions.

“UND has a window of time to position itself for a strong future,” she said. “I hope we embrace that. We need to come together as a community to offer students what they need and want. We need rigor and innovation and that means more collaboration across disciplines and across units. If we provide students with that, UND’s future is strong.”

“I’m passionate about higher education,” Storrs said. “I entered the profession because I care about students and higher education. I know the difference higher education made to my life and my family’s life.  I want the same difference to be possible for today’s students.  Working with and empowering faculty and staff is crucial to make that possible.”

UND President Mark Kennedy addresses a recent Aviation Department vote in an open letter.

James Higgins, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Aviation Department
John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58203

Dear Jim,

Re: Open Letter in Response to Recent Aviation Department Vote

To reiterate my initial response to your notification of the Aviation Department’s vote of no confidence in Provost Tom DiLorenzo, let me begin again by assuring you and your colleagues that we at UND are very proud of the Aviation Department and all it has accomplished over the last 50 years. The University leadership is committed to its continued success.

I remain perplexed as to why you or the leaders copied did not seek a meeting to bring these issues to me prior to the faculty deciding to take this action. Thank you for taking the time to discuss the faculty’s concern with me in person today.

The Aviation Department is a jewel. It is one of the areas of instruction of which we are most proud at UND. We have great faculty in our Aviation Department. They are under significant stress with the surge in demand for pilots. They deserve our support. They have legitimate concerns. The lack of addressing those concerns is a failure of leadership. The question before us is at what level did that failure of leadership occur.

To ensure that the college and department are getting the leadership they need to remain the premier aerospace school, I am asking Vice President of Finance and Operations Jed Shivers to join in weekly meetings for the next several months with Provost DiLorenzo and Dean Paul Lindseth to ensure that communications are fluid, decisions timely and that both sides are leading their respective sides closer together as OneUND. In addition, I look forward to gathering monthly with you and the small group of aviation faculty that gathered with me today.

If there was ever a confusion that the University is fully supportive of finding innovative ways to attract the talent necessary to meeting the peak instructional demand, I hope that is cleared up. Similarly, if there was ever a question that the university is supportive of providing the time for existing faculty to devote more of their time to constructive research, I hope we are clear on that as well.

As it relates to our incentive-based budgeting, so called MIRA, several Colleges no longer require subvention from the University and both Dean Lindseth and the University believe that the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will no longer require subvention beginning next year. University executives, in conjunction with the Odegard School’s leadership, spent hours providing information to key board members of the State Board of Higher Education and made a persuasive case to permit differential tuition that provides extra funds needed to invest in continued leadership. The tuition proposal was formally approved which is creating the financial framework to enable the Odegard School to move forward with outlays for new technology as well as providing future funding for incremental faculty and market-based compensation increases when warranted.

Further, given the dynamic nature of aviation instruction with stresses related to compensation for instruction, etc., the Provost, Vice President for Finance and Operations, and his staff have engaged in an iterative business planning process with the  Odegard School to ensure that we consider compensation issues, physical infrastructure support, technology costs, etc. so that we are all involved in setting the School up for an even brighter future.

Given this degree of interactive involvement with the future success of the Odegard School as the clear goal, the notion that the Provost is indifferent, or hostile does not seem to be supported by these definitive actions. That said, my hope is that the expanded meeting schedule will allay any concerns you and the faculty have with the leadership of Provost DiLorenzo.

Looking forward to working together to raise high the banners of UND and our treasured John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences in unison.

Thanks for all you do for UND and our students.
Mark Kennedy
President

University of North Dakota

UND Final Fall 2018 enrollment confirms most diverse freshman class ever as well as one of the most academically-prepared

According to the official census for the 2018 fall semester, UND is enrolling one of its most academically-prepared freshman classes in school history, based on average high school ACT scores, as well as its most diverse freshman class ever. Photo by Shawna Schill/UND Today.

The University of North Dakota continues to attract its share of the best and brightest to Grand Forks, according to final fall enrollment figures.

As of today (Sept. 18), the official census day for the fall semester, UND has once again enrolled its most ethnically diverse and one of the most academically-prepared cohorts of freshmen to date, based on average high school ACT scores. The new freshman class of 1,835 is checking in, this fall, with an average ACT score or 23.9, just a tick below the highest ever average class score of 24.0. In fact, this year’s freshman class includes two students, Taylor Roehl, of New Leipzig, N.D.; and Carl Quandt, Annandale, Minn., who aced their individual ACTs. In recent memory, the University hasn’t had two incoming freshmen with perfect scores on their ACTS.

The class also has the most UND Presidential Scholars in the University’s history at 254, and more than 161 Honors Program students (a 21 percent increase over last fall).

It’s also  UND’s most diverse group of incoming freshmen, as 14.4 percent of the incoming freshman class reported as an ethnicity other than white/caucasian, another all-time high in UND’s 135-year history, and a 2 percent increase over last fall.

UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and the College of Arts & Sciences saw the biggest increases in freshmen students at 24 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

UND also is seeing encouraging trends in the number of students enrolling from other colleges and universities. This after the University implemented a number of new strategies to streamline the transfer process. The final count for Fall 2018 shows UND attracted 721 transfer students, up nearly 6 percent over last year. And if one includes students who transferred to UND over the summer, there are more than 900 transfer students at UND for their first fall semester.

Over the past year, UND also has beefed up its advertising and marketing significantly and implemented a new mobile-friendly website, but a payoff in enrollment increases from those efforts likely won’t be seen until next fall.

UND is concentrating on attracting more doctoral students to energize its research capabilities, an important tenet of the One UND Strategic Plan. Image courtesy of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Research push

UND also is adjusting to two planned-for variables that are impacting enrollment numbers in the short term:

• Last year, UND busted a number of barriers to graduation, including reducing the number of credits most undergraduate students need to graduate. The change put UND in line with most other universities and colleges. Because of the change, many students – nearly 350 who otherwise would have been back this semester — were able to graduate in four years, and did so this past spring and summer (reducing continuing enrollment by a comparable amount). This change also played a role in a nearly 6-percent surge in the number of students who were able to attain their degree in five years.  Another indication that UND students are progressing toward graduation faster and more efficiently is that, on average, they are enrolled in more credit hours this fall than they have been since 2011 (enrollment was nearly 14,700 students that year).

• Another planned-for change is that UND is now investing more to attract doctoral students, who tend to play a large role in helping faculty conduct research. This shift in resources to doctoral students and away from master’s degree students will take time to ramp up and likely won’t translate into enrollment increases for a while.

The University is concentrating on attracting more doctoral students to energize and bolster its research capabilities, an important tenet of the One UND Strategic Plan.

University leaders also anticipate that recruiting more doctoral students could have an ancillary benefit to the Greater Grand Forks community, since doctoral students will be more likely to have families and to live in the community in apartments and houses.

Quality over quantity

Tom DiLorenzo

Overall, this fall’s total enrollment remained relatively stable with 13,847 students, a slight dip (3.9 percent, or 1.2 percent, adjusting for change to 120 credits needed to graduate) from last fall’s final enrollment of 14,406. Still, even with the decrease, this year’s final tally ranks within the top 10 of highest overall enrollments at UND.

A deeper analysis reveals UND has been part of a national trend that’s seen overall enrollments decrease across the United States over the past six years. UND’s highest enrollment was in 2012, when the overall student count ballooned by nearly 600 students to 15,250. This past spring, UND said good-bye to the last of that big enrollment bubble through graduation.

“We decided a long time ago to put much more energy into increasing the quality of students attending UND, and by all indications, the final fall enrollment numbers show that strategy is paying off,” said Thomas DiLorenzo, provost and vice president for academic affairs at UND. “As such, we anticipated having a dip in enrollment as the larger classes graduated and smaller, yet stronger academic, classes enrolled.”

Looking at where some of the students are coming from, UND posted its highest-ever headcounts from six states: Nevada, Missouri, Arizona, Kansas, Colorado and Hawaii.

By the numbers

Overall, UND’s graduate enrollment is at 2,785 including 2,021 master’s students and 648 doctoral students.

UND’s professional programs, the four-year M.D. program in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and School of Law, are holding steady at a combined 543 students.

Other undergraduate student enrollment (non-freshmen) is at 7,963.

In Fall 2017, UND final enrollment showed 2,862 graduate students, 544 professional students, and 8,374 non-freshman undergrads.

President Mark Kennedy

The right thing

UND President Mark Kennedy said all of the changes, even if they impact enrollment temporarily, are simply the right things to do. He noted that recruiting better-prepared new students helps UND meet expectations for retention and boosting graduation rates, while attracting top-notch doctoral students raises the University’s research profile and ability to support important work for the state and nation.

“My goal has always been for UND be a place that attracts the best and brightest,” Kennedy said. “Recruiting these kinds of students will go a long way in helping UND remain the premier flagship University on the Northern Plains.”

Provost also cites progress in experiential learning and partnerships that put UND student interns downtown

UND Provost Tom DiLorenzo interacts with his audience on Sept. 13, during the first of a new series of Provost Fora that will take place this year, updating the campus community about new developments, plans for the future and changes ahead. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

For the first time, UND President Mark Kennedy and NDSU President Dean Bresciani are teaming up to advocate for increased research funding that will benefit North Dakota.

That was the message from Nancy Vogeltanz-Holm, Faculty Fellow for Public Affairs, at the Sept. 13 Provost Forum, which also featured campus and IT updates.

“Research is critically important to the state,” said Vogeltanz-Holm, who is working on legislative issues in addition to her positions as professor of psychiatry and behavioral science and director of the Center for Health Promotion & Prevention Research. “We can help diversify and stabilize the economy by growing the research enterprise.”

The presidents are seeking $25 million per year for the next four years at each campus. Vogeltanz-Holm said this substantial investment in research would provide a stabilizing environment for growing both basic and applied research, which would in turn result in more federal and private industry funding. She said that the two campuses would demonstrate their success in obtaining external funding and commercial partnerships as a condition for accessing additional funds.

Nancy Vogeltanz-Holm, who UND’s Administration on legislative matters this year, talked about the importance of teamwork between the state’s two big research institutions, UND and NDSU, and proposal for increase research funding that would help both school’s continue efforts to diversity the state’s economy. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

Budget process

She said although the state is enjoying a relatively improved economic environment, Gov. Burgum is advocating a cautious approach to the budget. His initial budget guidelines for higher education called for 10 percent reductions within the per-credit hour funding formula with an additional 3 percent contingency reduction. He will present his final budget to the legislature in December.

The State Board of Higher Education, however, has submitted a needs-based budget which has no budget cuts and calls for 4 percent merit pool for both years of the biennium. The legislative session begins Jan. 3.

Vogeltanz-Holm said that in addition to supporting the NDUS proposed budget which would provide merit increases for faculty and staff and preserving the authority of the State Board to determine tuition levels, President Kennedy will also prioritize funding requests to address the university’s deferred maintenance backlog and gaining greater flexibility in embracing user-friendly, efficiency enhancing technologies.

“When it comes to responding to the needs of our students and growing our research enterprise, one size does not fit all,” Vogeltanz-Holm said. “UND and NDSU often need different tools and strategies to be nimble.” She encouraged faculty and staff to attend two upcoming event in which President Kennedy will provide more details about UND’s legislative priorities—at the Sept. 25 Wake up UND and the University Council meeting Oct. 24.

Madhavi Marasinghe, UND CIO, is seeking feedback on a new One UND IT Strategic Plan. The new plan has seven goals and core values of customer service, collaboration and innovation. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

One IT 

Madhavi Marasinghe, CIO, provided updates on the One IT Strategic Plan.

“Technology is everywhere,” Marasinghe said. “We want to provide a foundation for the UND Strategic Plan. It’s crucial that we have a stable, secure and innovative environment.”

She is seeking feedback on the plan, which has seven goals, with core values of customer service, collaboration and innovation.

Marasinghe highlighted the importance of strategic planning and customer service.

Recently, Marasinghe was helping her daughter, a UND student, locate some course files. After searching for the files, her daughter asked for help.

“She didn’t know how to find the files,” Marasinghe said. “My husband and I suggested Blackboard. It wasn’t there. Shared drive. It wasn’t there. We said, ‘try Dropbox.’ It wasn’t there.” Finally, they found the files on One Drive.

“Our house has 24/7 tech support,” she said with a laugh. “If we can’t find it, how can other students and families find it? We want to take a deeper look at how we manage file storage and provide a framework for best practices.”

Along with that, Marasinghe said they will soon launch a new ticketing system which will no longer drive users to separate web sites. They are also working to replace the Hobson’s customer relationship management system for a better prospective student experience, and to expand high performance computing and advanced cyber infrastructure. The cloud-first strategy will review all software and services for most cost effective and timely implementation options.

Campus on the move

Provost Thomas DiLorenzo provided an update of progress over the summer, including new leaders, searches in progress, admissions and more.

He noted that the University Senate web site has the new version of the Faculty Handbook, which is now searchable.

“The Strategic Plan is alive and well,” DiLorenzo said. “We are developing ways to infuse the Strategic Plan into the fabric of the University.” He added that professional advising (part of Goal No. 2) will soon be in place, leading to higher retention. Implementing three High Impact Practices per student (Goal No. 1) will also boost retention and make students more employable. Scholarships will be awarded using more predictive analytics (Goal No 3).

More faculty will be hired over the next few years, and will be centered around the Grand Challenges and grant support. Goals to enhance teaching (1, 3, 5 and 6) will be fulfilled by the Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA).

He cited progress in internships and experiential learning, as well as partnerships which place student interns downtown. Library renovations are set to begin in the entrance and circulation areas late this year.

“We are implementing the Strategic Plan,” DiLorenzo said. “It is not sitting on the shelf.”

Quest for highest-research-activity classification helps students, communities and economy

In its pursuit to achieve a “Carnegie R1” classification, as a highest-research-activity institutions, UND want to increase opportunities for its students and diversify North Dakota’s economy along the way. UND archival photo.

UND is looking for a higher class of company – but not just to show off.

Anchored firmly in the One UND Strategic Plan is Goal No. 4: “to enhance discovery at a level consistent with most research-intensive universities.” It alludes to universities and institutions often dubbed “Carnegie R1,” or doctoral universities with the “highest research activity.”

UND, along with North Dakota State in Fargo, South Dakota State, the University of South Dakota and myriad like-sized institutions around the country are considered “Carnegie R2,” a step below.

The R1s of the world include Harvard, Yale, MIT and more regional members such as the Universities of Minnesota and Michigan.

But it also includes non-urban centers not readily known for world-class research such as the University of Delaware, Hawaii, West Virginia, Nebraska-Lincoln and New Mexico.

By capitalizing on its unique geographical setting, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, for example, is recognized as a “land-, sea- and space-grant” institution, raking in more than $317 million in extramural research expenditures. That puts Hawaii in the middle of the road among its R1 peers.

Still, the university uses its research influence to diversify the Aloha State’s economy beyond tourism and its role as a national defense hub.

By comparison, UND’s most recently reported research expenditures were about $102 million. The University wants to increase that number to $120 million by 2022.

Even beyond that, though, UND would like to stay on a trajectory toward Carnegie R1 status — not for the sake of doing it, but because it’s the right thing to do.

“It’s not that we just want to be R1,” said Grant McGimpsey, UND vice president for research and economic development. “Rather, we want to be doing things that R-1 institutions do. They have research enterprises that are incredibly impactful on their students and on the community and on the economy around them.”

Wilson Lysford, left, graduated in May with a degree in mechanical engineering. He landed an internship at Northrop Grumman prior to graduation, where he worked on a vehicle engineering team for the Global Hawk unamanned system. Lysford is shown above with fellow UND student, Megan  Larson, who is majoring in electrical engineering. Photo by Misty Perter-Belch/Northrop Grumman.

Student impact

That’s why a joint proposal from North Dakota’s two big research universities — to significantly increase what the state invests in research — is so important. The proposal, if funded, would mean an additional $25 million per year for both over the next biennium.

For UND, which is targeting five research Grand Challenges (biomedical sciences, rural health, unmanned and autonomous systems, energy and sustainability, and Big Data), the boost would expedite its path to R1. But more importantly, it would assist UND’s research efforts to diversify the state’s economy beyond agriculture and energy exploration.

“We want to be involving our students in that research as much as we can,” McGimpsey said, “and ultimately, we want to be driving the economic development of the state.”

UND students already are benefiting from this kind of activity.

Wilson Lysford, who graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in May, took advantage of an internship at Northrop Grumman, a corporate leader in UAS and other technologies, to get a head start on his future. He was hired to be part of the vehicle engineering team, working on sensors for the Global Hawk.

“The best part is getting to work with some of the more experienced engineers,” said Lysford, a native of Detroit Lakes, Minn. “I sit next to a 10-year veteran and am learning from him as I begin my engineering career.”

Lysford is not alone at Northrop Grumman, in the Grand Sky UAS business park, about 13 miles from UND and adjacent to one of six national FAA test sites for UAS development and the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

“We are pleased to have several students taking part in our robust internship program at Grand Sky,” said David Hambleton, Grand Sky Program Manager and Site Lead for Northrop Grumman. “We appreciate the partnership with UND in conducting this worthwhile program.”

David Flynn, professor of economics and finance at UND, said, as universities improve their research standing, the benefit to students and to nearby companies who hire them, cannot be overstated.

“Research is not just lining the pockets of researchers,” he said. “And it’s not just about faculty being at more prestigious institutions — what it’s really about is that we are doing this research with North Dakota students as part of innovative research enterprises, helping research clusters develop and grow and in some cases, changing public policies not just for the state, but for the nation and world.”

Better metrics

McGimpsey said the Carnegie Foundation uses metrics to determine whether institutions will be listed R1. He said UND’s current ranking is based on numbers from 2015, when UND was not reporting its research data accurately.

McGimpsey’s office recently instituted internal reporting changes that better reflect the University’s total research expenditure picture. As a result, UND’s FY17 research expenditures were $30 million more than it reported the year before.

Research expenditures, in both scientific and nonscientific fields, are crucial metrics for the Carnegie rankings.

“We will definitely have increased funding the next that the rankins appear,” McGimpsey said.

The organization also tracks post-doctoral researchers at a university and doctoral degrees granted, with PH.Ds in STEM (science, technology engineering and mathematics) weighted more heavily.

McGimpsey said UND’s current research funding would need to increase by about 20 percent and post-docs would need to be about 50 percent higher to be realistically considered for R1 status.

“That’s where we’d have to go,” he said. “And those are doable.”

More than numbers, McGimpsey stressed that R1 is a convenient label for where UND wants to be and what it wants to be doing for its students and the state.

“It really means that we want to be doing impactful research,” he said. “That’s not to say were not doing that now – we just want to be doing more of it.”

Future focus will help UND and the state thrive, said President Kennedy at annual ‘Wake up’ address

UND President Mark Kennedy made  his annual “Wake Up to UND” address to community and business leaders on Tuesday, Sept. 25. There, he stressed that the One UND Strategic Plan will not only support the University, but the wider community through its advancement. Photo by Jackie Lorentz/UND Today.

UND has big plans for the future that will help Grand Forks, the region, state and world, said President Mark Kennedy at the Wake Up to UND Breakfast on Sept. 25.

The annual event, sponsored by The Chamber of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, updates community and business leaders on UND and its initiatives.

“The business community strongly supports UND and its Leaders in Action,” said Ron Galstad, chair of The Chamber, as he introduced President Kennedy.

Making a difference

UND will make a difference for students, the community, state and world as it implements the One UND Strategic Plan and addresses Grand Challenges, Kennedy said. “Together we will drive the future and ensure that UND thrives.”

Kennedy noted that one percentage point of each year’s tuition rate increase has been dedicated to improving the campus, and said increased investment in marketing and research seed funding will help UND grow.

Higher education is competitive, Kennedy said, citing demographic factors which indicate that universities will compete for fewer students. The number of colleges able to issue federal educational aid has shrunk by 650 in the last few years.

President Kennedy focused on progress made in UND’s Strategic Plan, including enhanced experiences for students, improving teaching, removing barriers and helping students graduate, enhanced advising, and boosting enrollment. Photo by Jackie Lorentz/UND Today.

Thrive, not just survive

“We intend to thrive, not just survive,” Kennedy said, adding that the University needs to be more nimble to do that. He said UND is supporting the State Board of Higher Education budget requests for flat funding and merit pools to recruit and retain faculty and staff, as well as requesting more flexibility to address needs.

Kennedy focused on progress implementing the One UND Strategic Plan, including enhanced experiences for students, improving teaching, removing barriers and helping students graduate, enhanced advising including a new degree planning tool, and boosting enrollment.

“We are committed to shaping our future,” he said.

UND’s new web site has generated five times as many inquiries from prospective students, Kennedy said, adding UND is also planning to improve the application and tracking processes.

UND’s new mascot and Athletic Director Bill Chaves will further enhance athletics, which Kennedy described as the “front porch of the University.”

He noted the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences 50^th anniversary, and thanked donors Hal and Kathy Gershman for funding the remodel of the J. Lloyd Stone House for graduate and international students.

Chelse Kippley, with Gate City Bank, listens intently to President Kennedy’s “Wake Up to UND” address held Wednesday in the UND Memorial Union Ballroom. Photo by Jackie Lorentz/UND Today.

Go big or go home

UND must invest in online courses, Kennedy said. With increased demand for bachelor’s degrees, online offerings can help people in the workforce complete a degree or earn a graduate degree that enhances their career prospects.

“There is a lot of competition,” Kennedy said. “Five percent of universities provide half of online degrees. We are the biggest in eight states. We need to go big or go home.” He added that about a quarter of UND’s credit hours are online credits.

“We don’t want to be displaced by out-of-state universities,” Kennedy said, noting that UND is strengthening online and on campus offerings and ensuring they are of equal quality. The University is working with Pearson Learning Systems to improve marketing and the online experience for some online programs.

“This does not take away from on campus programs,” Kennedy said. “This offers more opportunity.”

Diversify North Dakota’s economy

“We have been called the Silicon Valley of Drones,” Kennedy said, asking how long North Dakota can keep that title as other states ramp up investment and competition. “Without significant investment in unmanned research, North Dakota cannot sustain its leadership.”

Investment in UND and NDSU research could spark economic impact, Kennedy said. He and NDSU President Dean Bresciani are advocating for a $100 million investment in university research that could lead to more money from the federal government, corporations, increase the workforce in high need areas, increase patents and startups, and diversify the state’s economy.

“Research will impact the future of North Dakota,” he said. “It’s good for Grand Forks, UND, the country and the world.”

By focusing on campus master planning, UND is making its campus more attractive to students, said President Kennedy. Photo by Jackie Lorentz/UND Today.

Go from remove to renew

Students decide whether to attend a university within the first seven minutes, Kennedy said. UND’s master plan to upgrade space will make the campus more attractive, and the removal of dated buildings has helped address deferred maintenance. Now, the focus will be on renewing campus.

Replacement of the Steam Plant, upgraded parking lots, the remodel of the Stone House, a library renovation, and streetscaping University Ave. are in the works.

Proposed projects include a new College of Business & Public Administration building, the second phase of the High Performance Center and a new STEM building.

“We are focused on building the future,” Kennedy said, thanking legislators and area leaders for their support.

Presidential Medal

He capped off the event by presenting the Presidential Medal to Dave Molmen, Altru CEO, for his work partnering with the School of Medicine & Health Sciences to support medical training.

“It is partnerships like this which have made us great,” Kennedy said.

Faculty Fellows named to enhance teaching, increase student retention and success at UND

Casey Ozaki, Gail Ingwalson and Melissa Gjellstad, UND’s newest Faculty Fellows, working with others within TTaDA (Teaching Transformation & Development Academy, will collaborate with Colleges and departments to provide professional development and implement High Impact Educational Practices, including writing-intensive courses, undergraduate research, internships, capstones, diversity and more. Photo by Dima Williams/UND Today.

There’s a teaching transformation under way.

As the campus enacts the One UND Strategic Plan, three new Faculty Fellows will serve as resources and spark the drive to enhance teaching, increase student retention, and promote lifelong learning and professional development.

The ultimate goal is to improve student learning and success, said Lynette Krenelka, executive director of the Teaching Transformation & Development Academy (TTaDA), which will host the Fellows.

“It’s a one-stop shop for faculty,” said Krenelka. “We want to promote deeper learning, encourage a positive attitude to learning, and increase student retention and graduation rates.” She added that the Academy will address the Strategic Plan’s Goal 1, strong liberal arts foundation, Goal 2, increase retention and graduation, Goal 3, deliver opportunities online and on campus, and Goal 5, promote an inclusive campus. Along with that, the Academy will offer development for staff members.

The new Faculty Fellows, working with others within TTaDA, will each lead specific initiatives tied to the Strategic Plan, she said, adding they will work with colleges and departments to provide professional development and implement High Impact Educational Practices (HIPs). Those include writing-intensive courses, collaborative projects, undergraduate research, internships, capstones, diversity, and more. Proven to benefit college students, they also will change the ways that faculty and students interact.

Faculty fellowship

That’s where the Faculty Fellows come in.

Melissa Gjellstad, associate professor of modern & classical languages & literatures, will work with the Academy as the Faculty Fellow for Essential Studies. She will support faculty and departments as they improve on-campus and online Essential Studies courses related to diversity and inclusion.

“I’ve worked with students and faculty in Essential Studies since I came here,” Gjellstad said. “I found it very engaging. That was the hook for me.”

Gjellstad will support faculty who are designing courses that incorporate the new ES requirements to deepen student intercultural knowledge and skills.

“I want to advocate for liberal arts and a commitment to student learning around the Essential Studies goals,” Gjellstad said.

Casey Ozaki, associate professor of education, health & behavioral studies, is the Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence. She will assist and support faculty and departments as they integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into their courses, program curriculum, and overall teaching.

“I believe my role in working with the UND community to address diversity, equity and inclusion benefits faculty, students and staff in immeasurable ways. This is part of my work and world view, and an extension of why I chose to go into academia.”

Ozaki said the appointment as a Faculty Fellow will allow her to apply her research and teaching expertise. She studies college student persistence, retention and development, and teaches graduate courses in higher education assessment, teaching and learning, and diversity.

“I’m here to help retain students and support student success,” Ozaki said. “When all students are included and feel they belong, they are more likely to stay and graduate.”

Her projects will include presentations, workshops and outreach, along with data analysis.

Gail Ingwalson, associate professor and associate chair of teaching & leadership & professional practice, TTaDA Senior Faculty Fellow, will lead and mentor.

“I’m excited about anything to do with improving teaching,” said Ingwalson. She served in the initial group of Faculty Fellows last year, is a former department chair, and was on the leadership team which reorganized the College of Education & Human Development several years ago.

Ingwalson has a passion for teaching and the skills to pull together a variety of units, said Krenelka.

Ingwalson visited with deans to learn more about their needs, and as a result will organize training customized to the needs of each college, along with a May curriculum development workshop for faculty to integrate High Impact Practices in courses that can meet the Essential Studies Intercultural Knowledge/Skills learning outcomes.

“High Impact Practices are different from one college to another,” Ingwalson said. “We will support faculty with new approaches and ideas. I believe faculty enjoy teaching more when students are engaged. These new ideas benefit students and learning and improve retention.” She added that some programs will focus on meeting the needs of staff members.

“I’m excited to work with the wonderful individuals that make up the Academy,” said Ingwalson. “I envision that TTaDA will be instrumental in enhancing the success of students, faculty and staff.”

Lynette Krenelka (left), executive director of UND’s Teaching Transformation & Development Academy, says the ultimate goal for the three newly named Faculty Fellows, including Ingwalson (right), is to improve student learning and success at UND. Photo by Dima Williams/UND Today.

The Academy

The Teaching Transformation & Development Academy began in 2016 as an idea to unite faculty and staff support units. It brings together the office of extended learning, instructional design & digital learning (previously CILT), faculty and staff development (previously the office of instructional development & learning & professional development), and the writing center.

“The integration of these units, and planned investments in TTaDA allow us to enhance teaching support for faculty and professional development for staff,” said Debbie Storrs, senior vice provost. “Our most valuable resource at UND is its people. TTaDA’s activities, workshops and programs are an investment in people.”

“We serve faculty, students and staff to transform teaching on campus and online,” said Krenelka. “That includes lifelong learning, professional development, non-credit courses, and much more. We want to focus on great teaching strategies.”

“The goal is to benefit students,” said Ingwalson. “It’s exciting to have the Academy available. It’s a great environment.”

Degree planning collaboration between UND and NDSU give students more direct path to graduate on time

UND has joined North Dakota State University in launching of a degree map, an online tool that students and advisers can use to create flexible road maps to timely graduation. Photo by Shawna Schill/UND Today.

As Karissa Crofoot logged on to the new UND degree map, a graphic appeared, telling her that one of her majors, pre-elementary education, is 91 percent complete.

“I have a lot of majors and minors, so I didn’t know how close I was,” said the junior from New Hope, Minn., who is majoring in elementary and middle level education. “I found out I’m closer to a special education minor than I thought. This will definitely help me graduate on time.”

The new degree map launches today, but students are already finding and using it.

“It’s very easy to use and fun to see where I’m at,” said Crofoot. “I told my roommates and education friends, and they were excited to use it and plan their schedules.”

Software for success

“Students have found the link,” said Patty Dorsher, assistant registrar. “One nursing student found it and planned her entire four year degree!”

“The students in our office seem to log in every day and play with it,” said Scott Correll, UND registrar. “The students like to see what they’re doing and how fast they can earn their degree.”

“Scott Correll identified the technology to help our students understand their standing and time to graduation,” said Tom DiLorenzo, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “He is constantly tearing down barriers that get in the way of our students progressing in a timely fashion.”

The degree map extracts graduation requirements from Campus Connection and allows students to plan their courses semester by semester. It reads prerequisites, lets students know if courses will be offered in the fall, spring or every other year, and gives them a printable plan for their four-year degree.

It also lets them compare degrees in case they want to look at other majors. It even details typical careers for each major, national and state salary ranges and skill sets.

UND Registrar Scott Correll says the degree planner allows students to plan their courses semester by semester. It reads prerequisites, lets student see if and when future courses will be offered and gives them a printable plan for their four-degree. Photo by Shawna Schill.

Testing and verifying

Most of all, it should help students graduate on time, said Correll.

“I think students will be more actively engaged in developing a four-year graduation plan,” he said.

The degree map is an action item for Goal 2, increase graduation and retention, of the One UND Strategic Plan.

A team from UND and NDSU worked together to select Civitas Learning through a bidding process. Other North Dakota University System campuses were also invited to take part.

The bid was awarded in December, and UND began implementing the software in February with the help of NDUS Core Technology Services. The registrar’s office spent most of the summer doing user testing and verifying data, then began a soft launch this fall. NDSU will launch later this year.

“It’s a visual display,” Correll said. “Green means you’ve satisfied requirements, blue means it’s in progress, and orange marks courses to be taken. Students can drag and drop courses into the planner, explore degrees and compare requirements. I think students will like it.”

“The degree map helps me plan my degree more strategically,” said Crofoot. “I can plan all four years and drag in courses. My advisors, past and present courses, and transfer courses are all available on the main screen.”

It will help students, said Correll.

“The sooner a student completes a degree, the less debt they will have and the more they will earn,” Correll said. “Why pay tuition for a fifth year when you can make money instead?”

UND psychiatry residency program trains North Dakota’s front-line responders on use of Narcan

Andy McLean, chair of psychiatry and behavioral science at UND’s School of Medicine & Health Sciences, obtained 55 Narcan kits through the State Targeted Response grant, which were then distributed to medical residents and regional health providers. Narcan, brand name naloxone, reverses the effects of an opioid overdose with minimal side effects. Image courtesy of Nicole Pape.

When someone overdoses on opioids, first responders aren’t always first on the scene.

More often, it’s a family member, friend, or bystander.

And overdoses are increasingly fatal. In 2016, there were 77 overdose deaths in North Dakota, compared to 20 in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s one reason it’s important to make naloxone (brand name Narcan), which can reverse opioid overdoses, more available, said Andy McLean, chair of psychiatry and behavioral science at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

“Opioid overdose doesn’t discriminate,” said McLean. “We want to ensure that more people have access to Narcan.”

Rebecca Quinn of the Center for Rural Health leads a Peer Support Specialist Training Program session in Grand Forks, addressing issues involved with combating the opioid crisis. Photo by Marv Leier, UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Offering antidote

The UND psychiatry residency program at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences offered training and distributed Narcan, which blocks the effects of opioids, to medical residents and other health providers at a Grand Rounds lecture Sept. 19 in Fargo.

Robert Olson, the residency program director, was pleased that McLean was able to obtain 55 Narcan kits through the State Targeted Response (STR) grant , administered by the North Dakota Department of Human Services from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

“We felt it was an important addition to the Grand Rounds, which focused on local efforts to combat the opioid crisis,” said Olson.

After the talk by Robyn Litke Sall, substance abuse prevention coordinator from Fargo Cass Public Health, which focused on combating the opioid crisis, members of the audience were offered the opportunity to receive and learn how to use a Narcan kit. Each kit contained two doses of the lifesaving drug, which is administered intranasally.

“I was so happy our residency program did this,” said Leah Thompson, a second-year psychiatry resident in Fargo. “I had been thinking about purchasing a Narcan kit on my own because the opioid epidemic is so prevalent. It could help save someone’s life.”

Thompson said she has seen Narcan used in the hospital several times.

“The way an opioid overdose kills someone is by decreasing the respiratory drive, and the person stops breathing,” Thompson said. “Narcan can reverse the effects of opioids with minimal side effects.”

Thompson added that if the drug is administered to someone who has not overdosed, it doesn’t harm them.

“It would be a rewarding experience to save a life, but I hope never to use it,” Thompson said. “As members of the community, we are encouraged to carry it.”

Robert Olson and Andrew McLean are with the psychiatry and behavioral science department at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences and are working to prevent opioid addiction in North Dakota. Image courtesy of School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Available to public

Thanks to a recent change in the North Dakota Century Code, pharmacists can now give Narcan to people who request it or are at risk for witnessing an opioid overdose. They are protected from civil or criminal liability.

“You don’t need to be the patient,” McLean said. “Any family member can request it at any participating North Dakota pharmacy.” He added that the cost has come down with the award of the STR grants. A kit of two doses of the nasal spray costs between $40 and $100.

McLean has also been involved in another Narcan distribution program with Recovery Reinvented, a state program created by Gov. Doug and First Lady Kathryn Burgum in September 2017 to promote efforts to eliminate the shame and stigma of addiction.

That was the first time that kits and training were provided to the public, said McLean. He added that two parents who received that training and a kit were able to revive their son after he overdosed.

UND is also focusing on addiction and treatment through its Grand Challenges in health and biomedical sciences as well as rural health and social problems.

The challenge, said McLean, is getting revived people into treatment.

“Many people continue to cycle in addiction,” McLean said. “As more people are treated for overdoses, we are increasing our effort to get them into treatment.”

Bold plans for future will help UND thrive in challenging times, says Kennedy in annual address

Against a bleak national higher education picture, UND President Mark Kennedy gives an optimistic projection of UND’s future at Wednesday’s University Council gathering in Memorial Union. To thrive, he says, UND needs to be more nimble in how it conducts every aspect of its operations. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

UND has big plans, said President Mark Kennedy at the University Council meeting on Wednesday (Oct. 24).

The annual gathering included an update of University Senate activities by Paul Todhunter, professor of geography and Senate chair. He noted that the governing body has updated the faculty handbook, is working to launch a sixth Essential Studies goal (intercultural knowledge and skills), will roll out faculty evaluation summaries, and is working on Honors revisions and other issues.

“It’s a time of change,” Todhunter said.

Thrive over survive

Kennedy echoed the theme of change as he provided updates to the campus on University initiatives.

“We are in a challenging environment,” Kennedy said, noting that implementing the One UND Strategic Plan can help meet those challenges. “There is a lot of change, and we can thrive, not just survive.”

Higher education is facing a watershed moment.  Campus enrollments will continue to decline as typical college-age populations plummet, and half of colleges and universities are expected to be bankrupt in 10 to 15 years. More than 600 institutions have already closed.

Mid-career adults are a fast-growing segment that UND could serve online, said Kennedy, adding that as students attending on-campus shrink nationwide, online enrollments could help the University grow.

To thrive, UND needs to be more nimble, Kennedy said, adding that less than 25 percent of UND’s funding comes from the state. He said that UND and NDSU operate on a different scale than smaller institutions in the state, and should have more flexibility to develop their own services, rather than “scale up” shared services that work for others.

As UND looks forward to the legislative session, Kennedy said he supports the State Board of Higher Education requests for flat funding and a merit pool salary increase.

Together we shape the future

Kennedy congratulated UND Aerospace, which recently celebrated 50 years of excellence.

Priorities are supporting quality teaching and improving student retention and graduation rates, he said. The Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA) is an investment in that goal, along with adding more professional advisors and implementing Starfish and a new degree planner. UND has removed barriers to graduation, allowing 350 students to graduate earlier than planned, by reducing the required credits to 120 from 125.

The new UND website – now platform aware – has increased student inquiries through the website by five times, Kennedy said, but applying for admission needs to be easier.

“Recruitment is a team effort,” Kennedy said, as he showed new advertisements that showcase the Leaders in Action theme.

Go big or go home

Kennedy said that UND has nearly as many students taking an online course as exclusively on-campus students, and that on-campus freshmen who take online classes have higher retention and graduation rates.

“The day of on-campus only students is going away,” Kennedy said. “We need to go big or go home with online programs.” He wants to grow online programs, thus ensuring that UND and North Dakota students will be served by an in-state university. And, he said, online enrollment could keep UND growing. He want to enhance current programs as well as build new ones, giving the University extra resources.

Diversification is key

“We have great stories to tell about the impact of research,” Kennedy said, adding that meeting UND’s five Grand Challenges will help the state by bringing in more federal and industry money.

“State investment in research could ignite the North Dakota economy,” he said as he talked about a UND-NDSU request to the governor and legislature for a $100 million investment in research over the next two biennia. “It will diversity the economy and grow new industry and technology.” It could also decrease dependence on energy and agriculture sectors.

As UND looks forward to the next legislative session, Kennedy said he supports the State Board of Higher Education requests for flat funding and a merit pool salary increase for employees. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

Remove to renew

UND has a beautiful campus, Kennedy said, but the space needs upgrading.

“Students decide whether to come here in the first seven minutes of a visit,” he said, adding that demolishing outdated buildings has freed up space for public-private partnerships. An example is a new steam plant, which will be constructed through a partnership with Johnson Controls, resulting in upgraded heating, air conditioning, lighting and lower emissions.

Other planned improvements include renovation of the Stone House, remodeling portions of the Chester Fritz Library, repurposing Babcock Hall, streetscaping University Ave., and upgraded parking lots. Fundraising is taking place now for a new College of Business & Public Administration, and High Performance Center addition. Students will likely vote on a new Memorial Union next month.

“We are transforming the campus,” Kennedy said. “Together we drive the future.”

University honors ‘One UND’ strategic planners one year after successful launch and implementation

Provost Tom DiLorenzo, implementation captain for Goal No. 6 (to meet the educational needs of active-duty and veteran students) of the One UND Strategic Plan, presents a Lucite memento to Lt. Col. Jason Murphy, head of the Army Reserve Officer Training Battalion at UND and a member of the Goal No. 6 implementation committee. Photo by Shawna Schill/UND Today.

Provost Tom DiLorenzo admitted he was skeptical at first.

He recalled the day UND President Mark Kennedy, early in his tenure, broached the idea of launching a strategic planning process for the entire University. Having seen processes played out before at other universities, where, after the hoopla dies down, the plans eventually get shelved, the Provost had reason to be leery.

But, DiLorenzo also remembers a resolve in Kennedy’s words at the time.

“I remember him saying, ‘don’t worry that we’re going to go through this process and put it on a shelf,'” DiLorenzo said.

DiLorenzo continued, paraphrasing his boss, “‘Worry that we are going to carry it out.'”

“And because of all of you, who helped us through this process over this past year — we are carrying it out.”

DiLorenzo was speaking to an audience of more than 100 faculty, staff and friends of the University who turned out for a “One UND” Strategic Planning & Implementation Celebration on Wednesday at the Gorecki Alumni Center. About 80 of the invitees were individually honored for their work in taking UND’s strategic plan from concept to reality in action.

The celebration roughly marked the one-year point for the five-year, seven-goal plan that encompasses all aspects of the University — from student learning to effective teaching and advising to bold research visions to greater inclusivity and alumni engagement.

“We are at a point where where we are passing it on and institutionalizing it for the people who will keep that energy going,” Kennedy said. He added that it was important for the University to pause for a moment and say — “Job well done.”

That message, on this night, was specifically directed to the captains for each of the plan’s seven goals, as well as the project managers and committee members who drove development of each of the goals over the past year and longer.

The honorees received special recognition among their peers and a 5-by-7 inch Lucite memento as a tribute to their involvement in the strategic plan. The mementos read: “In honor and recognition of your work toward the One UND Strategic Plan (2017-2022). Purpose: Chief Opportunity Engine for North Dakota and Our Students. Vision: Premier Flagship University in the Northern Plains.”

Chelsea Larson, UND interim director of financial aid services, chats with President Kennedy and First Lady Debbie Kennedy on Wednesday at the Strategic Planning & Implementation Appreciation Celebration, at the Gorecki Alumni Center. Photo by Shawna Schill/UND Today.

Magnetic success

Kennedy said that others in the community are taking notice of what’s happening at UND, and some are looking to duplicate it in their own organizations.

“Success is magnetic,” Kennedy said. “I really believe that the success we are achieving with the strategic plan is going to be magnetic in terms of attracting others to UND, whether they be students, faculty or those who simply want to come along and be part of the great things that are happening here.”

Throughout the ceremony, Kennedy listed some of those successes, including the implementation of an on-campus unit dedicated to high-impact teaching practices, software that helps identify and mentor academically at-risk students, and a new online degree planner that lets students know exactly what they need to do to graduate in four years.

DeAnna Carlson-Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation and a captain for Goal No. 7 (attracting and enhancing support for the University by actively engaging alumni and donors), summed up the energy of her organization in a way that’s emblematic of feelings across campus.

“We really appreciate the opportunity, as an affiliate of the University, to play role in moving this University forward and being part of the strategic plan,” she said.

UND Political Scientist Dana Harsell, a past chair of the University Senate, co-chaired the initial 50-member University Strategic Planning Process Committee that got the whole thing rolling, with former UND Vice President for Student Affairs Laurie Betting, who’s now retired. Harsell reflected on the process, to date, as challenging but rewarding.

“You can imagine that we had a number of different ideas and opinions on what the ultimate goal might look like,but we came to this vision of One UND through this year-long process,” Harsell said. “We sometimes deliberated through some very tough conversations as well as some very inspiring conversations on what direction the University should be going — that was probably my favorite part.”

The chances we take can change the world, that’s why great leaders get started at UND

Leaders at latest Provost Forum tout marketing, research and legislative relations work

Meloney Linder, vice president for marketing & communications, said her division focuses on boosting UND student recruitment and spreading the University’s message nationwide. Photo by Dima Williams/UND Today.

Marketing and recruiting efforts, along with research initiatives, cooperation with North Dakota State University in Fargo, and outreach to the state are putting UND on a path to greater things, said Tom DiLorenzo, provost and vice president for academic affairs, at the Nov. 8 provost forum.

Presenters included Meloney Linder, newly installed vice president for marketing & communications, Grant McGimpsey, vice president for research & economic development; and Nancy Vogeltanz-Holm, who is working on legislative issues in addition to her positions as professor of psychiatry and behavioral science and director of the Center for Health Promotion & Prevention Research.

Unified voice

UND’s integrated marketing and communications efforts are amplifying UND’s message and are working to boost recruitment numbers and promote the great work taking place at UND, said Linder, who assumed her position in September.

She said her division now has a comprehensive approach that includes ceremonies and events, communications, media relations, marketing, brand and creative services, and the University’s newly revamped and responsive web site.

Linder summarized new initiatives by the division, including advertorials, which are print and digital advertisements that include points of pride and graphics to tell UND’s story in media across the region.

Billboards, videos, multimedia efforts and digital marketing are all focused around the Leaders in Action brand, Linder said, as she showed new ads and a welcome video for students.

Linder emphasized advertorials and other print and digital initiatives to tell UND’s story. Photo by Dima Williams/UND Today.

“Generation Z members are digital natives,” Linder said. “Video and online are how they consume information.”

A recent web redesign produced a new, attractive site that displays well on all devise platforms, including tablets and phones, Linder said.

“It’s resulted in five times as many inquiries from prospective students,” Linder said. “Our leads are up 85 percent since last year.”

Aligning marketing and recruitment are a top focus.

“We are also moving from internal communications to holistic communications,” Linder said. “Whether on the creative or communication side, we work together to amplify our message.”

An example she cited was the recent tour of western North Dakota by UND President Mark Kennedy and NDSU President Dean Bresciani, who made the case to legislators and others about the importance of research to the state and advocated a $100-million investment in research at the two universities over the next biennium.

A UND writer and a videographer, who were included on the tour, posted social media, stories and videos. That and media contacts resulted in 31,000 social media impressions and 18 media stories across the state, Linder said.

Grant McGimpsey, vice president for research & economic development, honed on the need to invest in research as a means to benefit campus and the state. Photo by Dima Williams/UND Today.

Boosting research

McGimpsey also spoke about the push to increase research investment at UND and NDSU.

“There is a groundswell of community and state support of research,” he said. “It’s exciting to hear a drumbeat of interest that we haven’t experienced before.”

McGimpsey emphasized that asking the state to invest in research allows the universities to build the capacity for more research, resulting in increased economic development and a return on investment.

“We are telling people in the state that research is important,” he said. “And the general public is saying the same thing. Research is important to North Dakota. If we continue to make investments, I’m very optimistic about the future.”

He also discussed benefits that will be realized campus wide as more high-impact research activities are adopted on the University’s path to  Carnegie R1 research status. He also shared data on research, available here.

“We will continue investing in the Grand Challenges, working with the Congressional delegation, state legislators and business stakeholders,” he said. “That investment will have a statewide impact.”

In response to a question from a faculty member who asked if the Grand Challenges could be viewed more broadly, McGimpsey replied that the Grand Challenge focus is not meant to exclude any faculty.

“We need more participation,” he said. “My vision is to build research and drive more external funding.”

Nancy Vogeltanz-Holm (foreground) who works on legislative issues in addition to her role as professor of psychiatry and behavioral science and director of the Center for Health Promotion & Prevention Research, said UND and NDSU Presidents Kennedy and Bresciani have worked hard to make the case for the $100 million investment research at their schools. Photo by Connor Murphy/UND Today.

Making the case

Vogeltanz-Holm also focused on the Grand Challenges, marketing and the request for more investment in research from the state.

“The Grand Challenges are areas of research strength and drive UND’s external research funding as well as our ability to be even more beneficial to the state’s economy,” she said. “For every $1 from the state, UND and NDSU can turn that into $4. It’s a very good investment.”

Vogeltanz-Holm said that the legislative session approaches, Kennedy and Bresciani have worked hard to make the case for the $100 million investment in NDSU and UND research.

“I think we are getting a positive response from legislators, business and community leaders, the governor lieutenant governor and other shapeholders,” she said. “It’s important for the state. Investment in research is a way to grow and diversify the economy.”

However, she said, not everyone will support investment at UND and NDSU.

“I believe we need to continue to work with our community partners to make the case and continue to be both optimistic and realistic about the possibility of increased research funding,” she said

“With increased funding, we can bring government, business and industry, scientists and health care leaders together,” Volgeltanz-Holm said. “We can make a difference. North Dakota is poised to do great things.”

DiLorenzo capped off the forum by pointing out how Linder, McGimpsey and Volgeltanz-Holm are working together to create a One UND that is exciting for students, faculty and staff.

“Our UND family is really making a difference in the State and continuing to create an environment that is transformational for our students.”

At UND, we challenge our students to step up, take action and solve the problems of the world

UND online programs rankings by U.S. News & World Report show the University’s advancement in online education, service to military

A release of rankings by U.S. News & World Report not only showcases UND’s rising national profile in online education; it attests to the success of the University’s strategic goal to serve the military. Photo by Shawna Schill/UND Today.

Over 30 percent or more than 6 million students in the U.S. took at least one distance-education course in 2016, the latest data analyzed by Babson Survey Research Group indicate. Year-to-year, the tally grew by nearly 6 percent, a spike that largely transpired in public universities.

In an interconnected world, it is safe to assume that distance – predominantly online – education bodes the future. And, the University of North Dakota keeps at the fore, as its 2019 U.S. News & World Report online rankings, released today, demonstrate.

Jeffrey Holm

The University placed in the top 25 for online graduate business programs and, compared to last year, advanced five slots in the MBA rankings, to 31^st in the nation. Most remarkably, in online bachelor’s degrees, it has leaped nearly 140 spots since 2016 to rest in the leading 20 percent of institutions this year.

To compile the rosters, U.S. News assessed over 1,500 online programs along key indicators such as student engagement, faculty credentials and technological support.

“I am very happy to see a progression toward a recognition by our peers and by how U.S. News & World Report teams evaluated our data that we are moving in the right direction,” said Jeffrey Holm, vice provost, online education & strategic planning.

UND caters to some 3,500 exclusively online students seeking degrees in over 80 fields, Holm said.

Serving the military

As noteworthy UND’s online programs are, one segment truly stands out – the offerings for active-duty military personnel and veterans.

To assemble the best online programs for this demographic, U.S. News evaluated only universities from the top half of its general selection.

The rankings, hence, not only showcase UND’s rising national profile in online education; they attest to the University’s successful execution of its strategic goal to serve the military.

Catering to military members’ needs, UND holds a top 50 position in online undergraduate options. In online graduate education degrees, the University comes in 21^st, while it seizes the 12^th rank for online graduate business programs.

Above the criteria

“It is wonderful to see that the work we have been doing to become military friendly is all coming together,” said Sherry Lawdermilt, director of application and integration support and part of the team implementing UND’s military-focused objective.

Sherry Lawdermilt

Since Fall 2017, when the goal rolled out, the number of UND’s military-affiliated students, both graduate and undergraduate, has risen by 5 percent, to over 1,200 last semester. Excluding ROTC and dependents, there were 100 active-duty students and over 700 veterans, as of the first month of Fall 2018. Combined, nearly three-quarters of them pursued bachelor’s degrees.

To assay a higher-education institution, U.S. News demands at least 25 veterans and active service members to be enrolled in online undergraduate programs and no less than 10 in online master’s degrees.

Most of UND’s active-duty students earn diplomas online, said Holm. But so do veterans. Post-military considerations such as growing families and civilian jobs make on-campus enrollment not only less appealing, but often unfeasible.

“We have a breath of online programs that make what we have to offer to military members and veterans more attractive,” said Holm, pointing to collaborations such as with the U.S. Air Force’s Air University that allows active airmen and women to complete online courses from UND.

For them – as well as all other active-duty learners – UND has capped undergraduate tuition at $250 per credit, with the exception of differential charges for aerospace and engineering programs.

This model not only corresponds to but extends above U.S. News’ criterion that public institutions offer in-state rates, which currently amount to a little over $360 per undergraduate credit at UND, to active-duty troops residing beyond state borders. UND’s GI Bill assistance for veterans meets yet another ranking paragon.

“I have a real appreciation of what our service members do,” said Lawdermilt, who herself served in the Marines over two decades ago. “We want to support them in any way we can.”

UND touts student success, campus renewal and research as keys to smooth currents over ‘growing waters’

UND  President Mark Kennedy, on Tuesday, told members of the North Dakota House Education & Environment Division, that UND supports the State Board of Higher Education proposed budget, which advocates stable funding and merit pay increases. Such a needs-based budget would let UND continue to focus on strategic investments in student success, campus renewal and research. Image courtesy of Peter Johnson.

BISMARCK, N.D. — For his testimony (please note that this is a large file) before a North Dakota House appropriations panel on Tuesday, UND President Mark Kennedy brought with him a few friends from home and Bob Dylan.

Kennedy led off by invoking lyrics of the great American troubadour to make a point about the direction UND intends to take as it sails into the future.

Come gather ‘round people wherever you roam and admit that the waters around you have grown
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’

Kennedy summed up the passage with an eight-letter acronym: S.S.O.Y.S.A.S. (Start Swimming Or You’ll Sink Like A Stone). He and the rest of the UND contingent proceeded to make it clear that UND intends to swim and take the State of North Dakota with it.

President Kennedy

The message was generally well received by lawmakers, especially by Rep. Dave Monson, R-Osnabrock, chairman of the House Education & Environment Division.

“It seems like all you people seem to know my hot buttons,” Monson said. “Bob Dylan is my favorite of all time. How did you know?” Kennedy replied, “That’s the value of research.” The exchange drew laughter from the packed gallery in  the Capitol meeting room.

Kennedy was joined by Hesham El-Rewini, dean of the UND College of Engineering & Mines; Tom Erickson, director of the Energy & Environmental Research Center and Jed Shivers, vice president for finance & operations. They also were accompanied by a group of UND students, including Student body President Erik Hanson and Macy Kopp, governmental affairs officer.

Hanson and Kopp, among other topics, spoke in favor of the North Dakota Challenge Grant, which matches state money with private donations to provide academic opportunities for students.

Mike Mannausau, vice president of development & major gifts for the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, spoke separately about the importance of the Challenge Grant. He explained that, since 2013, UND has been able to match privately all of its $17 million share of Challenge Grant funds from the state, garnering $34 million in gifts and other contributions supporting student success.

The money has launched 178 academic projects at UND, including 140 new endowed student scholarships.

Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, an early supporter of the Challenge Grant concept, liked what he heard from Mannausau.

“I think the success and the numbers and the results speak for themselves,” Nathe said.

Macy Kopp (at the podium), governmental affairs officer for UND Student Government, and Student body President Erik Hanson were among a number of students who testified Tuesday in support of important legislation, such as the expansion of Open Educational Resources, the North Dakota Challenge Grant and student support of a new Memorial Union on campus. Image courtesy of Peter Johnson.

Sink or swim

The UND testimonies were among a daylong series of legislative hearings by the North Dakota University System and its member schools, led off by UND and the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, which operates under a separate appropriation.

Kennedy said UND supports the State Board of Higher Education proposed budget, which advocates stable funding and merit pay increases. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, however, has recommended a 5 percent budget decrease for higher education, despite major cuts to the University System in the current biennium.

“We do believe that UND and the State of North Dakota are at an inflection point between sinking and swimming,” Kennedy told legislators.

But, by continuing to focus on strategic investments in student success, campus renewal and discovery research, UND is positioning itself to stay above water.

“We need to continue to invest in those areas for us to continue to succeed and help the state succeed,” he said.

Kennedy briefed legislators on several academic enhancements on campus in teaching excellence, professional advising and ensuring student success. He also stressed UND efforts to revitalize the campus through a series of public-private partnerships, removing aging buildings and infrastructure with modern upgrades that attract students, as well as exciting plans for online growth.

Kennedy also explained that UND, through a focus on research in five “Grand Challenge” areas (unmanned aircraft systems, energy & environmental sustainability, human health, rural health & communities and Big Data), is producing the talent that’s discovering new ways to diversify North Dakota’s economy.

Big Data economy

UND is embracing the promise of a New Economy, which is increasingly driven by high-powered computing and data, through the establishment of a Big Data Hub to support complex computational research across campus and beyond.

Hesham El-Rewini

UND recently announced plans to invest $10 million over five years to hire experts in artificial intelligence, machine learning and Big Data analytics, much-needed support for researchers across campus as well as students who are preparing for careers in the New Economy.

Those new hires also will be instrumental in searching out high-payoff opportunities for research at UND, which by extension, helps the state.

“For us to thrive in this New Economy, we need more of these kinds of hunters (for research funding) on our campus,” El-Rewini told lawmakers.

Tom Erickson

But to compete, UND needs more investment support so its scientists and creative thinkers can focus on exploratory research that leads to big returns. Traditionally, University research has been the most successful in turning exploration into Initial Public Offerings and venture capital, according to EERC Director Erickson.

“I believe the return on investment to North Dakota could be huge if there was more access to funding for exploratory research,” he said.

To that point, UND has teamed with North Dakota State University in support of new legislation that sets aside $50 million each year of the next biennium for research ($25 million each year for each school).

Using an aquatics analogy one last time, Kennedy emphasized the success of UND and its research has potential to cause ripples across the state.

“We do believe that together UND and the State of North can swim into the New Economy to create a bright and prosperous future for the state,” he said.

For more info

For more information, attend the next Provost Forum, 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, in Education Room 7. The focus will be the testimony, with questions from the audience.