Student Success Beyond the Classroom

UND works to provide a supportive learning environment in which all our students can thrive, grow and be successful.

In one of its verses, UND’s alma mater evokes the image whereby an ‘ever-burning torch is passed from hand to hand.’ Passing this torch recognizes why we are all here: to develop our students, and to be connected with each other in our road to discovery. It takes a community of dedicated faculty and staff to help our students along their academic journey. 

UND works to provide a supportive learning environment in which all our students can thrive, grow and be successful. In doing so we must continue to promote the holistic growth of our students. Such attention to the ‘whole person’ is meant to encourage an enthusiasm for inquiry, creativity, and innovation, as well as an understanding and appreciation of diverse experiences and ideas.

Because these features of our students’ education are not confined within the walls of a physical or virtual classroom it is important to provide exceptional out-of-the-classroom experiences which foster students’ sense of belonging, deepen their intellectual, cultural, and social engagement, and promotes their well-being.

• We should explore and support these student life experiences we provide and see this as a vital component of our work.
• We should identify and improve key transition points for new and returning students to ensure all students have pathways which lead to success.
• We should examine how we provide accessible, affordable, flexible learning environments for our students with increased campus and community connections.

UND supports lifelong learners by providing opportunities for personal fulfillment and professional development throughout and beyond their UND career.

Workgroup Co-Chairs

Workgroup Members

• Robyn Bancroft
• Kristen Borysewicz
• Carolyn Broden
• Tyler Burmeister
• Jessica Doty
• Emily Dougherty
• Chris Ehrhart
• Marjorie Evers
• Myra Henderson
• Casey Hutton
• Karina Knutson
• Alena Kubatova
• Jack Muhs
• Kristi Okerland
• Devon Olson
• Kerry Toups
• Marilyn Vetter
• Jonathan Wirkkala

Workgroup Questions to Consider

1. How do we reframe and redesign the student experience holistically, from recruitment through graduation and beyond?
2. How can we leverage predictive analytics for earlier interventions in support of student recruitment, enrollment, retention, and persistence?
3. How do we expand scholarship funding and availability? How do we strategically align current scholarships with access, achievement, equity, and completion as key goals? How do we ensure that we are providing affordable educational opportunities that are within reach for every qualified student?
4. How do we provide visibility and expand access to the complete student experience for all our students, including those that may never step foot on UND’s physical campus?
5. How do we support the success of working adults and other non-traditional student populations?
6. How do we improve the quality of service and greater access to online student-service resources?
7. How do we increase meaningful ways to engage alumni in the student experience?
8. How do we increase student engagement on campus and foster a sense of belonging and well-being?
9. How do we provide a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all our students?
10. How do we help every employee at all levels of the institution understand they play a critical role in student satisfaction, retention, and student success?
11. How do we recruit, retain, support, and successfully graduate underrepresented students in all programs and ensure equal access to, and support for, all co-curricular activities throughout UND?
12. How can we further promote opportunities for students to develop their leadership abilities, including those associated with nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships (e.g. Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater)?
13. How do we reach out to students in an active and non-stigmatizing way to ensure that their mental and behavioral health needs are supported during their time on campus?
14. How do we become a leader in terms of supporting diversity, equity and inclusion practices that lead to student success?
15. How do we promote and foster developing our students as leaders?
16. How do best solidify, improve, and promote the curricular and co-curricular programs happening at UND to be ‘student-centered’ – keeping the success of the ‘whole-student’ as the main focus of our work?

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.

• Recruitment
• Enrollment
• Retention
• Graduation
• Developing lifelong learners
• Leveraging financial aid
• Access and affordability
• Student success and outcomes
• Career Services
• Student mentorship/career guidance
• Academic Advising
• Leveraging technology for student success
• Housing
• Improve mental health
• Dining Services
• Transportation
• International Center
• TRIO
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Veteran and Military
• Student Health
• Parking
• Wellness Center
• Campus Safety
• Library
• Student Government
• Leadership Opportunities
• Greek Life
• Physical Space
• Student Programming and Events