The Great Start: New Staff Orientation
UND is launching The Great Start, a new staff orientation program designed to build community.
The program will also foster cross-campus connections, providing consistent support, engagement, and resources for all new benefited staff. As a supervisor, you play a critical role in supporting your new employee’s successful integration into both their role and the broader UND community. Below are more details and what you can expect from the program.
New staff will join a six month cohort program, attending regular sessions at locations across campus, highlighting our vibrant University community.
New Staff Orientation
New Staff Orientation (NSO) is a monthly half-day session, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Memorial Union and will launch each new hire cohort. The first cohort session will be Sept. 17. This session will introduce new staff to UND’s history, mission, values, and resources and will feature messages from campus leadership, Staff Senate, and a panel of current staff members.
Monthly Follow-Up Sessions
The five months following NSO, each cohort will meet for one-hour sessions, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. for most sessions. September’s cohort will meet again on Oct. 22, then Nov. 19, etc. These sessions are hosted in different campus locations to highlight UND services and resources and are designed to build community and provide clarity on resources for success.
- Accommodations & Ergonomics at the Gershman Graduate Center (1:00pm – 2:00pm)
- Policy Jeopardy at Nistler Hall
- Strategic Enrollment Management & Athletics at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Link & Learn at EERC
- Workwell & EAP at the Wellness Center
What you need to know
Participation is required for all new benefited staff. Hybrid staff are expected to attend each session in person on campus. 100% remote staff will receive access to join sessions via Zoom. As you hire new staff members, you will receive individualized communications, providing you and your new hire’s information on their assigned cohort and details on each session. Cohorts are assigned on a monthly basis. New staff starting Aug. 17 – Sept. 8 will be assigned to September’s Cohort, those starting Sept. 9 – Oct. 13 will be assigned to October’s Cohort, etc.. The first seven dates of The Great Start’s sessions have been identified:
- Sept.17, 2025
- Oct. 22, 2025
- Nov. 19, 2025
- Dec. 17, 2025
- Jan. 21, 2026
- Feb. 18, 2026
- Mar. 18, 2026
The Great Start is a dynamic and interactive program, designed to encourage community and growth for new hires. Divisional Area HR Managers will check in with you and your new employee throughout the program to monitor progress, address questions, and provide guidance. You can expect a call after your new hire’s first week and first month, alongside other milestone check-ins, to see how the they are integrating into the campus community and if HR can provide any resources or support to you or your new staff member.
This program is designed not only to welcome new staff, but also to strengthen retention, engagement, success and ensure they are building they’re UND community. Thank you for supporting your new staff members as they participate in The Great Start!
Questions?
Visit with a member of the Office of Human Resources.
