Announcing our new Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations

Dear UMD community,  I am pleased to announce that Matt Massman has accepted the position of vice chancellor for finance and operations (VCFO) at UMD. In this capacity, Matt will serve a critical role in providing leadership for the University, advising the campus as we develop plans and implement our future strategies and initiatives, and supporting our campus and systemwide financial and operational goals. Matt is a successful finance and operations leader with more than 30 years experience in state government and higher education. He served as State of Minnesota commissioner of administration, deputy chief of staff, and deputy commissioner of revenue for Governor Mark Dayton, leading a host of central operating, facility, budget, and financial management functions for the state government. In those roles, he oversaw some of the state’s most high-profile facilities projects – restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol and construction of the Minnesota Senate Building – while championing diversity and more environmentally sustainable operations. Since leaving the Dayton Administration, Massman has led public policy advocacy for the Minnesota Inter-County Association. A native Minnesotan, Massman is a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from Hamline University and a Masters’ degree in Public Policy from UW Madison.  I’m thrilled to welcome Matt to campus, and look forward to working with him. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role. His commitment to empowerment, equity, and quality will be an incredible asset to this institution and our community. His first day will be December 2, 2024. Please join me in welcoming Matt to UMD.  I want to take this opportunity to thank Sue Bosell for her tireless efforts in the role of Interim VCFO, a position she has been serving in since March, 2020. Sue’s approach, expertise, and willingness to help during a critical time for this institution is a testament to her character and professionalism. Thank you Sue.  I also want to express my gratitude to the search committee and our search partner Isaacson, Miller for their work in this successful process. The search was co-chaired by Janelle Broesch and Lynne Williams. Other committee members included Curt Albertson, Jannifer David, John Rashid, Lindsey Klegstad, Sean Huls, Susana Pelayo-Woodward, Koryn Zewers, and Jackson Poetz.  Have a good day,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Voting information and civic engagement (Sent 10/11/24)

 

Dear colleagues,  Elections are just a few weeks away, on Tuesday, November 5, and so I am writing to you today to encourage each of you to participate in this important civic process. Voting provides us with a voice in our communities and an opportunity to weigh in on the issues that matter to us. With this being a general election year, voters will have an opportunity to cast their vote for United States President and other important elections. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s website has information about candidates and initiatives that will appear on ballots across the state. You can also use their polling place finder to identify where exactly you can vote. As a reminder, paid time off to vote is provided through University policy, which allows employees time off to go to their polling place, vote, and return to work. In addition to voting on Tuesday, November 5, we encourage University leaders to extend time off so that employees can vote early in person if they prefer. Voter Registration: Voter registration is easy and convenient in Minnesota. If you’re unsure whether you're registered or not, you can check your voter registration status online. If you have not registered to vote and meet Minnesota’s registration requirements, there are several ways to register, and unlike many states, you can register and vote on Election Day in Minnesota. However, we encourage you to register before Election Day—it will save you time at the polling place. The deadline to register online is 11:59pm, 21 days before Election Day (Tuesday, October 15, 2024). To register on paper, you must turn in your registration or it must be received by mail by Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Otherwise, you can register on Election Day at your polling place. If you have any questions regarding voting or registering to vote, visit UMD’s voter registration website for resources. How to Vote: Minnesota provides you with three voting options: You can vote in person on November 5 at your polling place. Polls are usually open 7am-8pm. You can vote by mail. Your absentee ballot must be received by mail by Election Day or it will not be counted. You can vote early in person with an absentee ballot at your local elections office. Some cities and towns also offer in-person absentee voting. Learn more about voting early in person. Democracy and Dialogue at UMD: As we approach this important season, I want to emphasize the value of civility and constructive dialogue. I want to echo and reaffirm President Rebecca Cunningham’s commitment to the University’s core principles of academic freedom and free inquiry, and to fostering an inclusive community where we all contribute to defining our future together. While I have strong personal views on many current issues, I recognize those are separate from my role as Chancellor, and I am committed to fostering an environment that fully embraces diverse perspectives. Encouraging dialogue across our differences, with vibrant civic engagement, is central to our University’s mission of research, education, and outreach. Toward that end, as Chancellor, I will refrain from commenting on broader societal issues unless they directly relate to the University’s mission and identity. Democracy thrives on diverse opinions, and UMD must be a space where free speech is supported and respected. We will uphold your right to free speech and the principles of academic freedom. We may agree at times and disagree at others, but let’s commit ourselves to civil discourse, and ensure that no voice is silenced. Thank you for your commitment to fostering a respectful and engaged community.

Charles Nies Chancellor

Campus Conversation - Wednesday, October 30

 

Dear colleagues, Please join me for a campus conversation in the Kirby Ballroom from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30. Refreshments will be served! As I mentioned in a previous message with a short save the date for this event, I plan to share my observations after my first few months here. We will also use this time to discuss our campus values, which will serve as a precursor to our upcoming strategic planning process. I am looking forward to engaging the group in conversation to help shape our shared values. For your convenience, you can use this link to add to your calendar. We hope to see you there! Best,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Campus updates: System, Enrollment, Oct 30 Save the Date

Dear colleagues,  HAPPY HOMECOMING! I hope the semester is going well for you thus far. While I haven’t been able to get to everything, I have enjoyed concerts, cultural celebrations, football and soccer, gallery openings, and cardboard boat races in the pond at Bagley. It has been a great start to the fall semester and I look forward to all the events in the days and weeks ahead.  I have a few updates for you today.  U of M System I continue to engage with our system leaders and partners regularly. I am encouraged by what seems to be a renewed appreciation for the U of M System and continuing to leverage how we work together across it. The work includes regular meetings, presentations at the Board of Regents, appointment to systemwide work groups, and planned efforts to find synergies and implement collaborations.  Last week, I was also honored to be part of a UMD contingent who participated in the inauguration for President Rebecca Cunningham. Her inauguration was a celebration of her leadership and the U of M’s service and commitment to the entire state of Minnesota. Throughout the day, she emphasized her focus on the health and wellbeing of the university and the citizens of Minnesota. It was a meaningful event with UMD presence, recognition, and even Champ and the UMD fight song.  For those of you who are wondering, we are working through the early stages of planning for my inauguration at the start of the fall 2025 semester. It is not uncommon for Chancellor inaugurations to occur roughly one year into the role. I also see it as a great opportunity to wrap up our current strategic plan and launch our campus efforts around our future strategic priorities.  Enrollment As the semester is now in full swing, I also wanted to provide you with an update on our enrollment. I am pleased to say that UMD continues to see a high level of interest from prospective students, with a record number of applications this past year (up 4% from the previous year). Our new undergraduate student count is up 2.5% and lands at 2196 (compared to 2140 last year). This is primarily due to a 16% increase in our new transfer student population.  We continue to see increasing racial and ethnic diversity among our incoming students, with 17% of our incoming student class being BIPOC, an 18% increase from last year.  We also continue to see improvements in the success of our students. Unofficial first-year retention numbers are up for the second year in a row, rising to 81%. This is the highest first-to-second year retention rate of the previous 16 years. Please note that these enrollment numbers are based on first day enrollment data and there will be slight differences when we get the official data. It often takes into early October before we have final enrollment data.  While these statistics are promising, I want to emphasize the importance of our continued focus and work around student success and enrollment. I am grateful for the efforts from those in the enrollment team and their partners across campus who have played a part in this success.  Save the Date Please mark your calendars for an all campus conversation on Wednesday, October 30 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. in the Kirby Ballroom. At this gathering, in partnership with campus leadership, I plan to share an update after my first four months. More to come, but please save the date.  Thank you,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Welcome to Fall Semester

 

Hello students, faculty, and staff, Welcome to the first day of classes! The start of the fall semester has always been a highlight for me as everyone returns to campus with renewed energy and enthusiasm. This year is particularly special as I begin my first year here at UMD. I had a blast welcoming new students last week and am excited to join you in this campus community. Watch this short video to be inspired by the sights and sounds of move-in last week.  To all of our new students, welcome and thank you for choosing UMD. To our returning students, welcome back to campus and Duluth. The UMD faculty and staff are here to support you wherever you are on your educational journey. Please seek out resources and support; we have designed them to enrich your Bulldog experience! And to our faculty and staff, thank you for your efforts to make the start of this year a success. We join a university environment because we value the transformation that education provides as we learn, discover, and grow, being fully present in the moment and preparing for a bright future. We do that when the environment is both welcoming and inclusive. College is a place where open discussions in a civil and respectful environment are essential to our growth, even when those discussions can be uncomfortable. Lean into that discomfort, ask questions, and embrace curiosity so that together we can create an inclusive community in which we all live, learn, play, and work.  I wish you all a great start to the academic year and look forward to seeing you around campus.

Charles Nies Chancellor

Student Success and Brand Refresh

Dear colleagues, 

This week we are one week out from the start of classes and I am looking forward to welcoming our students to campus. 

During the time I have been on campus, it is clear that at the forefront of our work is a focus on the success of our student scholars. Their shared goal will be marked by graduation. In between is the educational journey that we intentionally facilitate – challenging them to explore, ask questions, and experience new perspectives. Each of you has an integral role in helping our students succeed and I am grateful for the time and energy you put into delivering our mission. 

I am also excited to share a refresh to UMD’s brand. Driven by input from a variety of stakeholders, which included members of the campus community, this updated brand speaks to the inspiring qualities of our campus and our role within the University of Minnesota. 

Our student scholars come to UMD because of the incredible educational experiences, which are enhanced and supported by our amazing location and the opportunities afforded beyond the classroom. This brand refresh celebrates UMD’s courageous spirit, our natural integration across campus, community and environment, and our student-centric culture. That unique combination encourages growth and exploration for our scholars that yields lasting rewards. 

As with any rebranding process, updates will happen in stages. Watch for updated materials soon. In the meantime, you can watch a one minute video highlighting the new direction here.

I am thankful for the early engagements I have had over the summer and to have learned about the qualities you revealed over the past year during this branding refresh. I am excited to build further connections across campus and fully experience the energy of our community.

I appreciate all that you do to support UMD and our students.

I look forward to seeing you around campus.

Thank you,

Charles Nies Chancellor

UMD Senior Leadership Team

 

Dear colleagues,  As I round out my first month here at UMD, I find myself continuously impressed and filled with anticipation for the upcoming school year. Since relocating to Duluth, my schedule has been filled with opportunities to meet members of our community, greet friends of UMD, and learn from many of you about our remarkable university.  My 30th day on the job reflects so much of what I have come to discover about the collective work being done here. I spent the morning on the Blue Heron as part of the Large Lake Observatory’s Freshwater Discover Day. I joined members of the community at Essentia Health and enjoyed the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds show. I wrapped up the day with visiting undergraduate scholars from Korea and Ireland. It was a day that demonstrated our mission-centered commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community outreach.  These are just a few of my introductory experiences and I know there is more to come. I have seen many examples of the campus’ commitment to student success, belonging and inclusion, and discovery and inquiry. With your help, I will spend the upcoming months listening, learning, and asking questions that will inform both immediate actions and drive future initiatives around our shared commitments. In addition to your guidance, I look forward to working closely with the campus’ Senior Leadership Team (SLT). In partnership with our new Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Rebecca Ropers, we will engage the campus community as we advance our strategic priorities.  The SLT membership includes: Sue Bosell, Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations  Jason Davis, Strategic Advisor to the Chancellor Trevor Eagle, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Forrest Karr, Director of Athletics  Jeremy Leiferman, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students Charles Nies, Chancellor Rebecca Ropers, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jan Sickbert, Interim Executive Director of Advancement Carlee Williams, Executive Assistant Lynne Williams, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer All members of this team report to me, which includes a shift in Enrollment Management from Academic Affairs to the Chancellor’s Office. To support the PEAK implementation, Human Resources will report to Jason Davis until moving to the VCFO portfolio later this fall when we complete that search.  I look forward to working closely with all of you and this new leadership team to lay the groundwork for the upcoming academic year and a more long-term strategic plan.

Best,

Charles Nies Chancellor