Fostering Equity and Inclusive Excellence
UND recognizes and celebrates the rich diversity of its students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
It is the people of UND, with their various backgrounds, life experiences, cultures, and traditions, that makes us stronger. We are committed to providing an environment where we can learn, interact, and collaborate with each other with respect.
It is through these collaborations that we will challenge current ways of thinking, innovate, create, conduct impactful research, and continue to grow and thrive as an institution. As such, we will examine ways in which our spaces and experiences can bring people together in meaningful ways.
- How does our campus community reflect and promote the evolving diversity of society?
- How do we foster equity and inclusive excellence within our community and continuously seek and develop opportunities to engage with a diverse population?
- How do we embrace equity and diversity to help realize our common connections?
- How should we, together, create a rich campus environment in which we can all learn, grow and be successful in our academic, professional, and personal lives?
Workgroup Co-Chairs

- anne.kelsch@UND.edu
- 701.777.4233
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O'Kelly Hall Room 320H
Grand Forks ND 58202-7104
Workgroup Members
- Justin Berg
- Tom Berry
- Mallory Bernhard
- Jacoba de Boer
- Roberto DeMagalhaes
- Cerynn Desjarlais
- Charles Henry
- Laine Lyons
- Jon Maskaly
- Caitlan Milera
- Helen Ramon-Vega
- Kaisa Siipola
- Donna Smith
- Jake Vivier
Workgroup Questions to Consider
- How do we continue to find ways to examine, refine, and prioritize recommendations of the DEI Taskforce that encourages sustainable growth and impactful movement on fostering an inclusive environment where all members of our UND community feel valued and welcomed?
- How do we identify and explore where the gaps in equity exist within our institution and address these issues? How do we strive to provide equitable access to experiences?
- How do UND faculty and staff reflect the student body and region it serves?
- How can we identify university processes and procedures that may create barriers to diversity and inclusive excellence?
- How do we enhance opportunities for underrepresented students, staff, and faculty to fully engage in the opportunities on our campus, and receive mentoring and professional development?
- How do we develop opportunities for stakeholders to voice their needs and concerns to improve their experience and enrich the campus culture?
- UND is committed to preserving and supporting freedom of thought, speech, and expression on our campus. As such, how do we ensure that everyone has the greatest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn, as allowed by law?
- How do we seek and develop opportunities for diversity-related research?
- How do we connect and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences?
- How do we engage with our alumni, with their diverse backgrounds and experiences, when it comes to student mentoring, lifelong learning, campus and community events and reunions?
- How do we ensure that all members of our community can access the advantages and resources of UND?
- How do we provide an affordable and accessible education that meets the changing needs of a diverse population?
- How do we offer leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion for UND, North Dakota, the region and beyond?
- How do we provide current and future generations of students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and values to create a more equitable society?
- How do we encourage/reward UND employees for committing their time and talents to the betterment of our entire community and serving as catalysts for positive social change?
- How do we continue to provide, and improve upon, developing programs that make campus a welcoming and inclusive place for all?
- How do we openly discuss topics, symbols, or issues that may be controversial or intolerant and have meaningful dialogue about ways to move the campus forward?
- How do we consider the work of the DEI Strategic Plan during the UND Strategic Planning work to realize best outcomes?
Concepts, Areas and Ideas
The following concepts, areas and ideas were collected from university feedback and helped form this Workgroup. However, each Workgroup is encouraged to think holistically about their topic and expand these areas as part of their critical review.
- Fostering belonging
- Celebrating our differences
- DEI work responsibility of everyone
- Fairness/equity
- Respect for the whole person
- Value of All, accessibility- especially for people differently abled
- Campus culture and climate
- Love our people
- Increase diversity among staff, faculty and students
- More diversity/multicultural events for all
- Feeling everyone has a voice