2023 Strategic Plan

The College of Arts & Sciences is the steward and heart of comprehensive educational experiences that inspire wonder and discovery at UND.

Initiated by Dean Rundquist in May 2022, the strategic planning process began over the summer and the Strategic Planning Committee formed and met initially in September. The committee members, representing a variety of constituencies, met regularly, held listening sessions with stakeholders, and shared their progress widely to ensure that the strategic planning process was open, inclusive, and collaborative.

Overview

The College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) equips future industry and thought leaders with the skills they need to be effective communicators, innovative decision-makers, and life-long learners. In addition to demonstrating excellence in teaching, College faculty are active scholars and creative artists who advance knowledge and imagination throughout the region and the world. The College fosters the creative, ethical, and intellectual development and capabilities of its students through its high-impact programs in Fine Arts, Humanities, Math & Science, and Social Sciences.

This plan serves as an evolving road map for A&S over the next five years, adapting as goals are achieved and new challenges arise. This plan dovetails with the UND LEADS strategic plan to promote the university’s mission and vision. The College of Arts & Sciences continues to be instrumental to the success of UND’s efforts to provide exceptional educational experiences that enrich the lives of North Dakotans and the global community through excellence in teaching, innovative research and creative activity, and meaningful engagement.

Vision

The College of Arts & Sciences LEADS by providing humanistic, exploratory, critical, and self-reflective experiences and opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Mission

The College of Arts & Sciences is a welcoming and diverse community that engages through dynamic teaching, innovative research, and creative activities. The College of Arts & Sciences is committed to providing holistic educational experiences central to a purposeful life, driven by personal and professional achievements that serve the region, the world, and humankind.

Values & Aims

The College of Arts & Sciences aspires to promote respect, inclusivity, and equity. We recognize diversity as a universal strength that unites us as a thriving, living, learning community. We achieve a sense of community and connection through the following attributes.

Values	Aims: A&S Will
Learning A&S provides high-quality learning experiences that foster student innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. This foundation allows students to find their individual purpose and address challenges in a global society. Members of the A&S community flourish as thoughtful and conscientious citizens, engaged collaborators, and future leaders through a broad-based education that grapples with important issues.	Promote an accessible and comprehensive educational experience through opportunities that develop and showcase a broad understanding of the world, its diverse people, and how we live in it. Foster the professional development of faculty and staff, building skills and enhancing leadership potential among the personnel who are integral to fulfilling the College mission.
Equity A&S is a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community in which individual and shared goals are pursued and achieved.	Ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources within the College. Facilitate opportunities that increase awareness of, understanding, and appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Affinity A&S values and celebrates the contributions and achievements of its students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters while striving to create a strong sense of community and collaboration.	Promote a sense of community and belonging through a common identity that reflects our shared values and goals. Celebrate the goals and accomplishments of the A&S community.
Discovery A&S nurtures a sense of wonder and intellectual growth. Research, scholarship, and creative activities embolden the curious in A&S.	Create an open and supportive environment in which collaborative exploration and discovery are encouraged.
Service A&S responds to the evolving needs of all people, with emphasis on respectfully serving and collaborating with stakeholders in our local community, state, and region.	Support scholarly events and activities that facilitate service across A&S. Engage local and statewide communities through targeted outreach and development of key partnerships.

Values

Aims: A&S Will

Learning

A&S provides high-quality learning experiences that foster student innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. This foundation allows students to find their individual purpose and address challenges in a global society.

Members of the A&S community flourish as thoughtful and conscientious citizens, engaged collaborators, and future leaders through a broad-based education that grapples with important issues.

Promote an accessible and comprehensive educational experience through opportunities that develop and showcase a broad understanding of the world, its diverse people, and how we live in it.

Foster the professional development of faculty and staff, building skills and enhancing leadership potential among the personnel who are integral to fulfilling the College mission.

Equity

A&S is a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community in which individual and shared goals are pursued and achieved.

Ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources within the College.

Facilitate opportunities that increase awareness of, understanding, and appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Affinity

A&S values and celebrates the contributions and achievements of its students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters while striving to create a strong sense of community and collaboration.

Promote a sense of community and belonging through a common identity that reflects our shared values and goals.

Celebrate the goals and accomplishments of the A&S community.

Discovery

A&S nurtures a sense of wonder and intellectual growth.

Research, scholarship, and creative activities embolden the curious in A&S.

Create an open and supportive environment in which collaborative exploration and discovery are encouraged.

Service

A&S responds to the evolving needs of all people, with emphasis on respectfully serving and collaborating with stakeholders in our local community, state, and region.

Support scholarly events and activities that facilitate service across A&S.

Engage local and statewide communities through targeted outreach and development of key partnerships.