Strategic Roadmap

UMD is developing a strategic roadmap to align with the University of Minnesota’s strategic roadmap. Our commitment is to create a dynamic plan that acknowledges UMD’s unique strengths and charts a path toward a robust future. The strategic roadmap we build will illuminate our strengths and signal to internal and external communities where we intend to direct our actions and resources in coming years. While not a precise statement of activities, the roadmap will guide us as we live out our mission, vision, and values. 

A Strategic Roadmap Committee was assembled to guide the planning process, collect and interpret stakeholder feedback, and translate what we learn into an actionable plan. The committee was selected from a large list of faculty, staff, and student nominees and is listed below:

Rebecca Ropers, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, co-chair
Jannifer David, Labovitz School of Business and Economics, co-chair
Abel Knochel, College of Education and Human Service Professions
Adam Burke, Student Life
Adele Wilson, Strategic Enrollment Management
Alexandra Luong, College of Education and Human Service Professions
Aparna Katre, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Autumn Amadou-Blegen, Human Resources
Becky Boyle, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Brenna Hucka, Kirby Student Center
Carter Meland, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Catherine O’Reilly, Swenson College of Science and Engineering/Large Lakes Observatory
Cheryl Skafte, Engagement
Chrissie Faupel, International Affairs
Curt Albertson, Budget and Analysis
David Cowardin, Marketing and Public Relations
David Gallagher, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Jen Mencl, Academic Affairs
Jennifer Webb, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Kim Dauner, Labovitz School of Business and Economics, University Coordinating Council
Kim Pittman, Kathryn A. Martin Library
Kristi Schmidt, Advancement
Latisha Brengman, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Logan Magnuson, College of Education and Human Service Professions
Mary Stenson, College of Education and Human Service Professions
Miranda Miller, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Pete Willemsen, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Rolf Weberg, Natural Resources Research Institute
Ryan Goei, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences/Honors
Susana Pelayo Woodward, Student Life/Diversity and Inclusion
Yufei Ren, Labovitz School of Business and Economics

The committee will consult widely within UMD and with others outside the university. Faculty, staff, and students will have numerous opportunities to contribute to this work and shape a path that will lead us in our future. 

Collaborative Learning for Advancing Student Success (CLASS)

The Collaborative Learning to Advance Student Success (CLASS) initiative is a campus-wide program to support faculty and staff development to advance student success. This initiative is part of a strategic, campus-wide commitment to create opportunities for faculty and staff to engage skills, knowledge, and approaches that foster inclusive, innovative, and responsive educational environments. Professor Mitra Emad will serve as the CLASS Lead and will coordinate professional development, skill-building, and resource awareness that supports staff and faculty success as we all work to advance student success.

Mitra will also connect with students to bridge communication gaps and strengthen student support and intervention. Highlighting our use of high impact practices in teaching and learning as a key element of students’ thriving, CLASS will advance a holistic ecosystem of support that includes faculty and staff. Mitra has developed a schedule of upcoming Learn & Thrive sessions open to all faculty and staff.

Constructive Dialogue

A campus work group focused on constructive dialogue has convened to advance our UMD-identified values of connection, curiosity, and civic-mindedness through deliberation and inquiry across differences. The group envisions a campus where we engage those with whom we have differences with skillful listening, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to learning. The purpose is to create a resilient culture of communication through student engagement, campus leadership development, and organizing and facilitating effective programming. 

Constructive Dialogue Work Group:
Jeni Eltink (Director, Kirby Student Center)
Mitra Emad (CLASS Lead; Director, CAHSS HILL)
Steven Godfrey (Case Manager, Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution)
Joe Hazelton (Director, Housing & Residence Life)
Chris Kaberline (Director, Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution)
Susana Pelayo-Woodward (Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion)
Cheryl Skafte (Public Engagement Coordinator, UMD Engage)
Carmen Watson (Program Coordinator, Office of Diversity & Inclusion)
Jeanine Weekes Schroer (Associate Dean, CAHSS)

Workload Workgroup

The Joint Workload Workgroup is developing a new workload model. Guided by the values of transparency, equity, simplicity, flexibility, department/collegiate autonomy, and fiscal viability, the workgroup seeks to develop a model that will be considered for the next contract. 

Members of the Workload Workgroup are as follows:
Praveen Aggarwal, Dean, Labovitz School of Business and Economics
Jen Brady, Interim Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Scott Carlson, Interim Dean, College of Education and Human Service Professions
Christina Gallup, Faculty, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Eric Hessler, Faculty, College of Education and Human Service Professions
Antoinette Pearson, Faculty, Labovitz School of Business and Economics
Connor Pride, Human Resources
Wendy Reed, Dean, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Rebecca Ropers, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Jared Strasburg, Faculty, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Liz Wright, Faculty, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

UMD Leadership Collective

As part of our larger plan to implement intentional leadership development opportunities at UMD, in spring semester 2025 a cohort was formed to read and discuss The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success (Dethmer, Chapman, & Warner Klemp). Given the powerful learning experience, additional cohorts were added this fall. These cohorts are part of the UMD Leadership Collective, which will offer additional opportunities for involvement in future semesters. 

Faculty and staff in all positions and career stages are encouraged to participate in the Leadership Collective to practice conscious leadership and build cross-campus connections. This fall’s cohorts will focus on conscious leadership as a way to strengthen communication, collaboration, and personal leadership.