Mission complete

What’s in a statement?  UND’s updated version gets to the core of what it is and does in 200 fewer words

It’s short, powerful, and transformative.

“To provide transformative learning, discovery, and community engagement opportunities for developing tomorrow’s leaders.”

UND’s new mission statement was approved by the State Board of Higher Education on April 26.

“I love it,” said Vogeltanz-Holm, outgoing chair of University Senate. “This gets at the heart of what is important to the University.”

She was one of the campus leaders tapped last October to revise UND’s mission statement, which was last updated in 1991. The goal was to have a shorter, sharper statement that is more aligned with UND priorities and the Strategic Plan.

They honed the 219-word mission statement to just 13 words.

“This is a new, modern statement about what we do at UND,” said Vogeltanz-Holm, who also serves as professor and director of the Center for Health Promotion & Prevention Research at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Strategic mission

“This fits with the mission, vision, values and goals of our Strategic Plan,” said Stacey Borboa-Peterson, director of student diversity & inclusion, who developed the mission with outgoing Student Body President Cole Bachmeier and Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of History Jim Mochoruk. “The new mission will guide us forward.”

“I’m very excited,” said Bachmeier. “This better reflects who we are today. We’ve gone from 200-plus words to just under 20. We need to capture people’s attention. This mission champions our priorities and will get people excited about UND.”

The group crafted two statements reviewed by President Kennedy and the Executive Council in November. After a few changes, it was sent to campus governance for comment in December. The State Board approved it last month.

Borboa-Peterson spent two years researching UND’s strategic plans and their history for her doctoral dissertation, looking at the evolution of the mission from UND’s founding in 1883 to present day.

“It’s important that people who work for and on behalf of the institution, as well as current and prospective students know and are able to articulate the mission,” said Borboa-Peterson. “Now, in just one sentence, people will know that.”

“The new mission is transformative,” said Vogeltanz-Holm. “It captures a feeling that we hope will lead to inspiration.”