UND LEADS College and Unit Plans
Each college and unit at UND plays a vital role in advancing the vision of UND LEADS, our university’s strategic plan. Rooted in the shared values of Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery, and Service, UND LEADS provides a common framework that guides our collective efforts.
While every area of campus has its own goals and priorities, we remain united in a shared purpose—advancing UND through collaboration, innovation, leadership, and service at every level. These unit-level strategic plans highlight how each college, department, and team contributes to a stronger, more connected university. Together, they reflect the collective effort that drives UND’s continued growth and success under the umbrella of the UND LEADS strategic plan.
Academic Colleges
John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
UND Aerospace’s plan highlights its role as a global center for aerospace education and research, with more than 2,100 students and a large civilian training fleet. Guided by its vision of “leading the world in aerospace education and research,” the School’s mission and core values of Safety, Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, and Resilience shape its programs, partnerships, and services for North Dakota and the wider world.
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts & Sciences plan positions A&S as the heart of UND’s broad-based education, preparing students to be effective communicators, problem-solvers, and engaged citizens through strong programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Over the next five years, the plan aligns with UND LEADS to expand high-impact teaching, research, and creative work while promoting an inclusive community grounded in Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery, and Service.
Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
The Nistler College 2024–2029 Strategic Plan focuses on developing leaders in business and public service through transformative learning experiences, substantive research, and strong connections with employers, alumni, and community partners. Grounded in UND LEADS, the plan emphasizes discovery scholarship, impactful teaching, and engagement, guided by core values such as learning with passion, discovering with purpose, creating lasting value, transforming lives, behaving ethically, and practicing proactive inclusion.
College of Education & Human Development
CEHD’s Strategic Plan frames the college as a key site where research, instruction, and public impact meet, shaping education and human development locally and globally. Organized around the LEADS pillars, the plan advances accessible experiential learning, deeper work in equity and Tribal partnerships, a stronger sense of belonging, engaged multidisciplinary research, and service that supports diverse communities and partners.
College of Engineering & Mines
The College of Engineering and Mines produces world-class leaders in computer science, engineering, and geology who contribute to our state, nation, and the world. The CEM strategic plan is currently under development.
School of Graduate Studies
The School of Graduate Studies Strategic Plan lays out a five-year roadmap (approved May 16, 2025) to strengthen graduate education through UND’s LEADS pillars. It affirms a mission to provide exceptional graduate education that supports students’ professional and personal success, and a vision to lead in training graduate students across diverse disciplines. The plan emphasizes high-quality learning and professional development, equity and inclusive support for all students (on-campus and online), strong community and alumni connections, robust research and interdisciplinary collaboration, and service-oriented partnerships that meet workforce and community needs locally and globally.
School of Law
The School of Law’s working Administrative Strategic Plan supports its curricular mission by treating every interaction with students as part of their legal education. Its objectives focus on enhancing the educational environment, maintaining an effective and professional workplace, and providing learning-focused student services that help students become self-sufficient professionals while preserving a student-centered culture.
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
The SMHS Strategic Plan aligns closely with UND LEADS to improve the health and quality of life of North Dakotans through education, research, and service. Centered on Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery, and Service, the plan emphasizes inclusive, evidence-based practices, interprofessional education, and strong partnerships that support a healthier future for communities across the state.
College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines
CNPD’s strategic planning efforts translate the LEADS pillars into concrete goals and action steps for departments and units through 2027. The plan promotes holistic and innovative learning, increased diversity and equity, stronger student belonging and visibility, expanded research and professional growth, and meaningful service and outreach—especially with Tribal Nations, rural, and underserved populations.
Divisional and Unit Plans
Athletics
UND Athletics LEADS outlines the department’s strategic vision and aligns seamlessly with the University’s UND LEADS plan. Built around the core pillars of learning, equity, affinity, discovery, and service, it charts a clear path for classroom, competitive, and community excellence. Grounded in Division I trends and designed for relevance and adaptability, this plan reflects a commitment to accountability, growth, and an inclusive culture. By aligning efforts with the university’s broader goals, UND Athletics strengthens their collective impact and reinforces excellence in all we do.
Chester Fritz Library (CFL)
Chester Fritz Library at UND is actively advancing its mission through a thoughtful, evolving strategic plan. As a hub for teaching, research, and innovation, the library is committed to supporting learning with trustworthy resources, inclusive spaces, and partnerships that drive discovery. Its plan prioritizes collaboration, digital accessibility, preservation, and community engagement. By aligning with broader university goals, Chester Fritz Library aims to remain a vital and forward-looking resource for UND and beyond.