Equity<\/strong><\/a> objective of the plan.<\/em><\/p>\nBy Zarrina Azizova, Connor Ferguson, Anna Marie Kinney and Ryan Zerr<\/strong><\/p>\nAs we approach the end of the semester, we want to take a moment to reflect on what makes the University of North Dakota great: our campus community. The people who call UND home are what define our character and make UND truly special.<\/p>\n
Since 1911, when we pioneered correspondence classes to reach those beyond our physical campus, UND has demonstrated that inclusion isn\u2019t just a modern buzzword \u2014 it\u2019s our heritage. This longstanding commitment to meeting students where they are and creating pathways to education for those who might otherwise be left behind remains central to our mission and who we are today.<\/p>\n
This commitment is also reflected in how we define the Equity core value of the LEADS strategic plan: \u201cOpportunities for Success.\u201d<\/p>\n
These opportunities make it possible for UND students and employees to realize their full potential. In the same way that those first correspondence courses enabled access to higher education for UND students a century ago, today we develop and support pathways to higher education that include online courses and programs, professional development opportunities that allow for growth and advancement, and outreach to communities who may benefit from our services and support.<\/p>\n
Access and support that acknowledge people\u2019s different situations and goals has been, and will continue to be, integral to our work.<\/p>\n
An environment where all can thrive<\/h2>\n
Access to UND\u2019s educational environments is an essential component to creating opportunities for success, but it is not the only critical element. The environments themselves must make clear to everyone that they belong and are valued \u2026 that they will receive the support and encouragement they need to realize the potential that comes from higher education \u2026 that they will be respected as individuals whose experiences and viewpoints contribute to their education and to the community of learners who make up our campus.<\/p>\n
As we embrace \u201cmomentum\u201d as a guiding principle for the year, we continue to build on the progress we have made toward a more just and equitable university. Momentum is not only about speed, but also direction \u2014 moving deliberately and purposefully toward a UND where individuals\u2019 perspectives and broad access to supportive learning environments are valued as essential to our success and to the success of our state and nation.<\/p>\n
These principles are not conditional or situational. They are the core of effective leadership and constants that guide our decisions and actions. That core is a commitment to recognizing the full humanity of each person, listening actively and ensuring that each person has equitable opportunities to thrive.<\/p>\n
The core value of Equity in UND LEADS is our commitment to being a place where everyone knows they belong and are valued. While the specific strategies to realize this vision may adjust over time, our fundamental commitment to creating an environment where all can thrive remains unwavering.<\/p>\n
We are incredibly proud of the work happening at the University of North Dakota and will continue to strongly advocate on behalf of our faculty, staff and students. Now, as always, UND remains committed to our institutional mission of providing exceptional educational experiences that enrich the lives of North Dakotans and the global community through excellence in teaching, innovative research and meaningful engagement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Editor\u2019s note: The following letter, written by\u00a0Zarrina Azizova, associate professor of Education, Health & Behavior Studies and chair of the University Senate;\u00a0Connor Ferguson, president of the UND Student Body;\u00a0Anna Marie Kinney, coordinator of the UND Writing Program and president of the UND Staff Senate; and\u00a0Ryan Zerr, associate vice president for Strategy & Implementation, professor of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":92747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[517],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-92746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/p>\n