UND welcomes new faculty cohort

Faculty members will have a positive impact on students, state and region, say UND leaders at annual new faculty orientation

Last week, UND welcomed its latest cohort of new faculty members to campus for an event designed to familiarize them with the University and the wider Grand Forks community.

On August 21, 42 scholars gathered at the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration for the University’ annual new faculty orientation.

Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Randi Tanglen, and Liz Legerski, director of faculty development in Academic Affairs, opened the day with a warm welcome for the new cohort. Tanglen, who works closely with faculty members to ensure their continued success, impressed upon attendees their potential scholastic impact.

“We know that you are going to change our students’ lives through transformative education,” she said. “You are going to impact North Dakota through your research and scholarly activities and change our campus through the impact of your service. We’re thrilled that you are here.”

“When you think about it, we really are a team,” Legerski added. “We all play a role in shaping our students, teaching them and guiding them through higher education.”

Following the morning’s introductions, the new faculty cohort attended workshops on topics covering university policies, conducting successful research and instructional design — the latter subject taught by UND’s Teaching Transformation and Development Academy, or TTaDA.

For Tasrif Mahmud, a new faculty member in the Department of English, his journey to UND involved more than 7,000 miles of travel. A native of Bangladesh, Mahmud earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature in his home country, before coming to UND to pursue his graduate studies.

Mahmud said there are major differences between the American and Bangladeshi education systems, as Bangladesh was colonized by the United Kingdom until 1947 – and thus adopted a more British education system.

“When I first came here, I had something different in my mind about the American education system,” he said. “There were some differences in communication. No one was wrong – they were just habituated with teaching American students.”

Mahmud added that he is eager to assist his first-year students with making the transition from high school to university life.

“There is a huge change – a change in expectations toward them,” Mahmud said. “Before college, they were more micromanaged. Now, they are in a situation where they are young scholars. Letting your students know they can talk to you openly is very important.

Following the morning informational sessions and lunch, attendees were also treated to a performance by UND’s Hawks in Harmony – the campus choir open to all faculty, staff, graduate students and local alumni.

UND President Andy Armacost and Provost Eric Link both welcomed the new faculty cohort, wishing them success in their new roles, and encouraging them to get acquainted with their new home.

“You’ve chosen well – this is an amazing university with so much going on,” Armacost said. “As we go through the year together, enjoy it. Work hard, play hard and enjoy everything there is about the University of North Dakota and the Grand Forks community.”

Link, who is serving in his sixth year as provost, reminisced on his journey to UND.

“I’ve worked at a number of institutions around the country, and when the opportunity came to move to North Dakota and join this university, I was thrilled,” he said. “I had been following this university for a long time; I knew of it and had looked into it. I knew this was a dynamic place where great work was happening, and after arriving here, that suspicion proved true. I am more impressed each year at the dedication of faculty and staff to the success of our students, the growth of our research enterprise and the service we provide to the state and region.”

Link offered one final piece of advice to new faculty members unaccustomed to North Dakota’s notoriously harsh winters.

“I’m sure you have been told many times to get a good coat, pair of gloves and hat – that is good advice, you should do that,” he joked.