MSU President's Newspaper Column
January 11, 2025
Taking a look back on progress toward goals with an eye on future success
We’ve reached the halfway point of the 2024-25 academic year! Staff and faculty are busy preparing for the start of the spring semester on January 13. Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating with Mayville State’s newest graduates at the 2025 commencement exercises on May 16.
As we embark on a new semester, it’s good to take a look back, consider the goals we’ve established, and mark progress toward these goals made during the fall semester.
Mayville State University exists under the umbrella of the North Dakota University System (NDUS). As one of the 11 members of the University System, our work supports the goals of the system. That being said, we are free to make our own goals within the framework established by the State Board of Higher Education and the NDUS.
With this in mind, Mayville State University’s strategic plan goals partner with the goals of the University System. Faculty and staff have worked hard to develop Mayville State’s strategic plan and we constantly strive to meet the goals set out in that plan. I am grateful to our employees and others who have helped us to make significant progress in supporting the goals of Mayville State and the University System this past semester. While there are many more achievements than can be mentioned here, some are highlighted below.
Thanks to a great collaborative effort among employees and the generosity of our alumni and friends, we’ve been able to continue the Honor Scholarship Program, and we are currently making offers for students who will enroll in the Fall of 2025.
Numerous campus improvements for a better learning, living, and working environment have been completed or are underway. Beautiful new bookstore, student lounge, and mailroom spaces are being enjoyed by students, guests, and employees. Installation of an elevator at the Campus Center is nearly complete. A new parking lot has been constructed east of the Campus Center. A stunning new outdoor space, Legacy Plaza, is complete and is a point of pride and enjoyment for all on campus. Work on the renovation of Old Main is progressing nicely with completion planned for the summer of 2026. A lovely and well-attended event held in September celebrated the project.
Mayville State’s fall 2024 enrollment was up 8% over the fall semester of 2023. This was due to an enormous team effort by many. We are grateful for everyone who has worked and continues to work extremely hard, led by Interim Director of Enrollment Management Dr. Luke Schultheis.
We’re making great progress toward increasing the number of degrees awarded and programs offered, especially in the areas of North Dakota’s greatest workforce needs. We do this while keeping the goal of offering programs people want, where and when they need them, at the forefront.
We’re focusing on the behavioral and mental health needs of students and employees. Counseling services are available, and our new Student Activities Coordinator, Megan Roller, together with leaders of various campus organizations, has been extremely successful in providing a full slate of campus activities for students throughout the semester. I’m told a big “Welcome Back” evening of activities on Jan. 16 will get the semester off to a fun start.
Mayville State has worked as a great partner with the University System institutions, especially related to nursing, where Collette Christophers, associate professor of nursing and division chair, and Carey Haugen, dean and assistant professor of nursing, have stepped up to help Dickinson State in a crisis situation that began last summer. In addition, we’re partnering with other NDUS institutions to create efficiencies for our own university.
Research opportunities for our students continue to be a point of pride for Mayville State. We are grateful for our science faculty who are making these opportunities available for students. Last fall, several Mayville State students and their faculty mentors presented their research findings at the 2024 North Dakota IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Annual Symposium held at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
While all of this is going on, many faculty and staff are working extremely hard to prepare for an upcoming Higher Learning Commission accreditation visit. Getting ready for these visits is very intense as we examine all areas of the university to ensure that we are providing the best possible education for our students.
I thank everyone on Team Mayville State who has contributed to helping us make progress and reach goals throughout the past semester. We are blessed to have faculty and staff who care about our students as individuals, as well as the university as a whole. I know there will be many achievements made throughout the coming semester, and I look forward to sharing more about the exceptional work of our faculty and staff as the semester unfolds.