The many sides of Discovery at UND
In line with the UND LEADS Strategic Plan, Discovery involves creativity, innovation and safety as well as research, authors say
Editor’s note: The following letter, written by Emily Gibbens-Buteau, assistant professor in the UND Department of Communication; Spencer Milanowski, UND student and founder, PRC Electric; and Marcus Simpson, UND director of Safety, introduces a special edition of UND Today focused on the Discovery core value of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan.
As readers may know, UND Today is devoting a series of monthly special issues to the University’s progress on fulfilling the Strategic Plan. The issues consider the plan’s “LEADS” core values — Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery and Service — in succession.
Comments or questions? Contact Tom Dennis, UND Today editor, at tom.dennis@UND.edu. Thank you for reading!
####
By Emily Gibbens-Buteau, Spencer Milanowski and Marcus Simpson
A scientist in a laboratory, peering into a microscope to examine a newly isolated bacteria for the very first time … that’s the typical image of Discovery at UND. And to be sure, Discovery is indeed taking place in labs and classrooms and on computer screens campuswide, adding to the sum total of human knowledge in that traditional yet still-essential way.
But research is just one element of the Discovery core value in the UND LEADS Strategic Plan. There are others, and this letter is about one in particular: Service units, as the plan prioritizes in Discovery with the following goal:
“Strengthen service units that support creativity, research and innovation in all stages, from program development to promotion and beyond.”
Note the terms “creativity” and “innovation” in that passage, and see how they complement “research” in the examples below.
Hands-on experience = Discovery
• One of us, Emily Gibbens-Buteau, had the chance over the past few months to lead two projects that reflect this Discovery priority. Both projects gave students the chance to experience Discovery by creating and innovating through hands-on, real-world experiences.
“During Spring Semester, I taught COMM 499, a special topics course focused on promoting the UND LEADS Strategic Plan to students,” Gibbens-Buteau says.
“Through campus surveys, guest speakers and creative collaboration, students built a full promotional campaign complete with branding, social media strategy, videos, podcasts and more.”
The students presented their final campaign book directly to the UND LEADS team, gaining valuable experience, connections and confidence in the process.
Then in June 2025, Gibbens-Buteau hosted the second annual Digital Storytelling Summit, where 16 high school students and seven UND undergraduate interns stayed on campus for a week of creativity, media production and community engagement.
Participants discovered new technologies, developed storytelling skills and networked with UND faculty and staff, industry professionals and each other, all while exploring how to use communication tools to make a meaningful impact.
“Most important, the students gained experience and fresh ideas they can take back and use to contribute to their own communities across North Dakota and Minnesota,” Gibbens-Buteau says.
“Both experiences have reminded me that Discovery isn’t just about what we learn. It’s also about how we use that knowledge to create, connect and contribute in real ways.
“I’m grateful to be part of a university that values innovation and creativity at every stage and ensures students aren’t just witnessing Discovery, but actively participating in it.”
Entrepreneurship = Discovery
• Another of us, Spencer Milanowski, is the founder of Pizza Racing Company Electric and a participant in the Runway program. A joint venture of the Center for Innovation and the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, the Runway program combines start-up training, mentorship by staff and business owners, networking and access to up to $10,000 in mini-grant funding to support UND student ventures.
“UND’s Runway program has allowed me to ‘Discover’ the possibility of starting my own business, while walking me through the first steps to make this dream a reality,” Milanowski says.
“From building prototypes to registering an LLC, my mentors have guided me through the vast world of entrepreneurship. Through unique learning opportunities such as presentations and networking events, I have made and maintained important connections that have proven essential in the development of my startup company.”
Truly, the Runway program supports “creativity, research and innovation in all stages, from program development to promotion and beyond,” the Discovery priority highlighted in this letter, Milanowski says. “I am beyond thankful for the help from my mentors and peers during my Runway experience and look forward to continuing my Discovery adventures in the fall.”
Safety = foundational to Discovery
• Of course, Discovery in classrooms and Discovery in entrepreneurship workshops must proceed safely if it’s to proceed at all. That’s the concern of the third of us, Marcus Simpson.
“When I assumed my role as UND’s director of Safety more than two years ago, it was my job to create an environment where safety is woven into every action, every decision and every process at the University,” Simpson says.
“I wanted to share my dedication to safety with the campus community and have them embrace the safety culture and our safety professionals in the same way.”
Behind the scenes at UND, Simpson notes, is a team of safety professionals. They’re unsung heroes who are dedicated to preventing accidents and promoting a culture of safety, and who spend their working hours making sure that every precaution is in place, and every risk is minimized.
This ensures that “we don’t just save lives,” Simpson says. “We create an environment where safety is woven into every action, decision and process that is undertaken on the campus.”
In other words, Simpson’s team is the very definition of a service unit. They’re the support workers whose efforts ensure that the process of Discovery can continue, safely and smoothly for all.
“We don’t judge, blame or shame,” Simpson says. “We help, teach and empower.” That’s how the Safety office and professionals at the University of North Dakota support the UND LEADS Strategic Plan, and it’s also the foundation upon which Discovery — and just about everything else at the University — is built.
>> Questions or comments about the UND LEADS Strategic Plan? Your thoughts are welcome! Please contact Ryan Zerr, associate vice president for Strategy & Implementation, or Anna Marie Kinney, coordinator of the University Writing Program, the co-chairs of the UND LEADS Implementation Committee. You also may offer your thoughts by visiting the UND LEADS Strategic Plan home page and clicking on the “Provide your feedback” link.
Thank you for your support of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan!
