UND Today

University of North Dakota’s Official News Source

Naming names

Teams identified and assembled to guide and execute One UND Strategic Plan

UND campus night scene
UND’s Strategic Plan implementation teams have been named for each of the plan’s seven goals. These teams, comprised of UND faculty and staff, will work together throughout the summer and beyond to execute their respective goal’s action items—and help UND become the chief opportunity engine for North Dakota.

Draft day has come and gone, teams have been strategized and revised, and now the jerseys have been handed out.

UND’s Strategic Plan implementation teams have been named for each of the plan’s seven goals. These teams, comprised of UND faculty and staff, will work together throughout the summer and beyond to execute their respective goal’s action items—and help UND become the chief opportunity engine for North Dakota.

“Now comes the fun part,” said UND President Mark Kennedy. “This really has the ability to be transformative to the University. It’s great to have a Strategic Plan—it’s even better to implement a Strategic Plan.”

Mark Kennedy
University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy

Team members were contacted last week by goal captains, deans, and/or division heads to discuss the role they would play in the implementation process—which will vary from team to team. Strategic Plan Implementation Lead Angelique Foster says the groups will remain organic from start to finish.

“As they move forward with the tasks under their goals, responsibilities may shift,” she explained. “The captains, the committee members, everyone will have to remain flexible as we transition along this journey.”

Although the teams have only just been formally named, some have already laced up their cleats for the mission and, under the guidance of their goal captains, have begun crafting their initial plays.

“They’re not at the starting line waiting for the gun to go off—they’re halfway around the field,” said Senior Advisor to the President Laurie Betting. “That’s because they’re building on the good work of other people and other committees, and they recognize that this is the opportunity.”

UND Senior Vice Provost and Goal One Captain Debbie Storrs said her team is looking to enhance the work that has already been started in providing a strong liberal arts foundation for undergraduates. “I’ve already met with some of the team members,” she said. “I’m pretty excited—I’m raring to go!”

As the teams find their footholds, they will also work collaboratively across goals to guarantee efficiency and continuous forward movement. UND Senior Vice Provost and Goal Two (increasing retention and graduation rates) Captain Hesham-El Rewini said having good team players involved will make it possible.

“I’m hoping that through the deliberate efforts of the team—through me and through the project manager—we will be able to communicate with the other teams to ensure that we are not duplicating the work and we benefit from each other’s experiences,” he said.

Betting says that some teams may begin their meetings immediately, while other may wait until their goal’s project manager has been formally trained at the end of June. Either way, the clock is already running.

“Each and every one of them understands that they’re going to be reporting their progress on a monthly basis, and that starts in July,” she added.

The teams:

Initial Implementation Teams PDF