Dear Colleagues,
I hope your spring semester is off to a good start. It is exciting to feel the campus come to life again with a sense of renewal. Being part of this university is incredible and, as I wrote in a recent piece for the Duluth News Tribune, I’m motivated every day by our work to advance student success and generate knowledge that improves our world.
In my role, I often hear from UMD’s creative and committed faculty, staff, and students about how to strengthen what UMD offers to its members and our community. To surface and support your good ideas, I am pleased to call for Innovation Grant applications. These grants will support collaborative projects that integrate programs, services, or experiences across different departments and academic disciplines. The grants will be supported by the Chancellor’s Excellence Fund, a philanthropic fund that supports the university as we advance excellence that is aligned with our mission. This one-time seed funding is intended to develop innovative initiatives that are cost-neutral, or that could provide cost savings or generate new revenues. Please read the guidelines and connect with your colleagues to consider how to leverage this opportunity. The deadline to apply for innovation grants is Friday, February 21.
I am looking forward to a busy and inspiring semester. We will continue to have conversations around our values, enrollment, and academic programs. We will also continue to strengthen our partnerships on campus, across the system, and with external stakeholders as we work together to deliver on all aspects of our mission.
Thanks for your commitment to advancing the university’s mission and values.
Best, |
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