
Delivering his annual State of the University address on Oct. 15, University of Northern Colorado (Â鶹´«Ã½) President Andy Feinstein shared an inspiring list of achievements that reflect what he referred to as the relentless pursuit of the university’s dreams for the future.
Among them were significant milestones from the past year that will undoubtedly change the landscape of the university for decades to come, such as earning the federal designation as Colorado’s newest Hispanic Serving Institution and successfully securing the investment needed to proceed with opening Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (Â鶹´«Ã½ COM).
There are other victories as well; enrollment growth, historically high student retention rates and record-setting fundraising efforts.
The successes result from thoughtful and deliberate actions guided by the institution’s 10-year strategic plan Rowing, Not Drifting 2030. Launched in 2020 the university entered the third of five two-year phases in July. Before laying out the road map for the next two years, Feinstein paused to recognize the hard work already completed and thanked the university community for their contributions.
“As I stand before you in my seventh year as president, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and hope for the future,†said Feinstein. “I am inspired by all we have accomplished working together with a shared sense of purpose. And I am confident that the best is yet to come for our university.â€
Before articulating what the university will prioritize during this next phase, Feinstein took a moment to reinforce that he's equally invested in how the work is approached. Taking inspiration from the book Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, he focused on the author’s concept that organizations benefit from deliberately putting the people they serve at the center of every decision.
“Ultimately, the lesson is that we each have a role in going above and beyond for our students, the communities we serve and for one another,†said Feinstein. “I invite you to maintain a focus on how we can deliver on our commitments in a way that extends hospitality.â€
Watch the full State of the University below:
Prioritizing student success and creating a seamless experience from their first point of contact through graduation topped the list of priorities Feinstein outlined for the next two years. To achieve that he is realigning portions of the university’s organizational structure to maximize efficiencies and take advantage of shared expertise.
The changes start with shifting the Department of Enrollment Services under the Division of Academic Affairs, a move that puts the functions that engage, recruit, enroll, support and graduate students on one team. Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s seven cultural and resource centers will also return to the Division of Student Affairs, a change that will bring together the leaders, services and resources focused on supporting student success outside the classroom.
Feinstein is also launching a search for a chief diversity officer who will continue to champion the university’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and lead efforts aligned with the institutions new HSI designation. The new role will work across university departments, divisions and colleges, providing thought leadership on various issues, from policy design to organizational development and the creation of communities of learning practice.
Other priorities that will remain at the forefront of the university’s work over the next two years include:
- Recruiting and retaining excellent faculty and staff
- Implementing the Strategic Enrollment Management plan
- Effectively using technology to remove barriers for students
- Continuing the university's commitment as a Hispanic Serving Institution
- Developing a university-wide DEI plan
- Enhancing the university's curricular offerings and scholarship
- Being an environmentally sustainable campus
- Deepening connections with Greeley and Weld County's growing community
All the priorities Feinstein touched on alginwith the university’s five vision elements outlined in Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s strategic plan: Students First, Empower Inclusivity, Enhance and Invest, Innovate and Create and Connect and Celebrate.
“The start of each new phase is an opportunity to both reflect on how far we have come and renew our collective excitement about where we are headed. I have great optimism about what we will be able to accomplish over the next two years because of how far we have come over the past four.â€
Feinstein encouraged those in attendance to think of the path ahead as more than words on the website or in planning documents.
“I invite you to identify opportunities to align the work you are doing in your own role at Â鶹´«Ã½ and the overall direction outlined in our strategic plan. And remember — we are here to create meaningful experiences for our students and to support their development.â€
Key Strategic Planning Achievements:
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