Working Groups & Steering Committee

The Teaching & Research Working Group focuses on how academic programs and research activities are supported across UND. The group examines current teaching and research practices, space needs, and emerging directions in instruction and scholarship to help inform long-term planning.

Drawing on faculty and staff perspectives, the Working Group helps identify opportunities to better support academic quality, collaboration, and innovation through facilities, policies, and campus systems. Its input ensures that planning recommendations reflect the realities of academic life and can be implemented over time.

Members

Mark Askelson, Associate Vice President for Research (VPRED)

Beth Bjerke, Associate Dean/Professor (JDOSAS)

Christina Erickson, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Research Development (CNPD)

Brian Kalk, Chief Research Officer (EERC)

Blake Klinkner, Assistant Professor (School of Law)

Alena Kubatova, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, Chemistry, Associate Dean for Research (A&S)

Jeremiah Neubert, Associate Dean for Research (CEM)

Karyn Plumm, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Student Success (VPAA)

Raya Rood, Student Government Senator CEHD (Student Government)

Ken Ruit, Senior Associate Dean/ Associate Professor (SMHS)

Logan Rutten, Assistant Professor for Teaching and Leadership (CEHD)

Scott Snyder, Vice President for Research & Economic Development (VPRED)

Brian Urlacher, Associate Dean/Professor (NCoBPA)

Advised by:

Les Bjore, Director of Planning and Design (Facilities)

Vaafusuaga Boese, Classrooms Manager (UIT)

The Student Experience Working Group focuses on how students experience campus life inside and outside the classroom. The group considers how learning environments, student services, housing, recreation, wellness, and campus spaces shape student success, belonging, and well-being.

By incorporating insights from those who work closely with students, the Working Group helps identify opportunities to improve access, engagement, and day-to-day experiences across campus. Its contributions help ensure that planning decisions support a positive and inclusive student experience.

Members

Julie Bean, Director of Graduate Student Engagement & Gershman Graduate Center (SGS)

Rebecca Bichel, Dean of Libraries & Information Resources (CFL)

Jill Caya, Academic Advisor (Staff Senate Representative)

Diane Darland, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, Biology (Senate Executive Committee)

Cassie Gerhardt, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)

Janelle Kilgore, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management (VPAA)

Jes Kinneberg, Assistant Director of Creative & Brand Strategy (M&C)

Erik Martinson, Deputy Athletics Director (Athletics)

Julia Matthews/Caleb Olson, Student Athlete Student Representative

Daniel Masterson, Student Government Senator Residence Halls (Student Government)

Troy Noeldner, Director of Housing and Residence Life (VPSA)

Kristi Okerlund, Director of Student Involvement & Parent Programs (VPSA)

Advised by:

Brian Larson, Director of Construction Management (Facilities)

The Campus & Systems Working Group focuses on the physical, operational, and administrative systems that support the university’s daily functioning. This includes facilities, infrastructure, technology, and service delivery that enable teaching, learning, and campus life.

The Working Group provides input on operational considerations, coordination across campus, and long-term stewardship of resources. Its role is to help ensure that planning recommendations are feasible, sustainable, and aligned with how campus systems work in practice.

Members

Ishir Agarwal, Student Government Senator JDOSAS (Student Government)

Namil Choi, Associate Dean for Administration & Finance and COO (SMHS)

Jenny Duffy, Director of Auxiliary Services (VPFO)

John Fitzgerald, Associate Professor, Kinesiology (CEHD)

Odella Fuqua, Associate Vice President for Finance (VPFO)

Michael Nord, Assistant Director of Energy & Sustainability (VPFO)

Nancy Pederson, Vice President of Finance & Operations (UNDAAF)

Brad Rundquist, Dean of Arts and Sciences (A&S)

Jill Sackenreuter, Associate Director of Human Resources (VPFO)

Marcus Simpson, Director of Safety (VPFO)

Madison Torgeson, IT Project Manager (Staff Senate)

Tanis Walch, Professor, Education, Health & Behavior Science (SEC)

Advised by:

Corey Shock, Director of Operations (Facilities)

Judy Solberg, Chief of Staff (President’s Office)

Sara Peters Twite, IT Projects Manager (UIT)

The Campus Partners Working Group focuses on UND’s relationships with external partners that interact with and shape the campus environment. This includes community organizations, industry partners, service providers, and other stakeholders whose activities influence campus life, development, and operations.

The group provides insight into how partnerships function today and where stronger coordination, alignment, or shared investment could create mutual benefit. Its input helps ensure that planning recommendations support productive partnerships, respect community context, and advance UND’s role as an engaged and connected institution.

Members

Tom Erickson, Chief Operations Officer, Vice President for Intellectual Property (EERC)

Mary Feller, Director of Career Development (School of Law)

Tiffany Ford, Director of Center for Business Engagement & Development (NCoBPA)

Molly Hane, President of Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals

Madilyn Lee, Chief of Staff for Student Body Vice President (Student Government)

Meloney Linder, Vice President for Marketing & Communications (M&C)

Keith Lund, President & CEO at Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation

Mike Mannausau, Vice President of Development (UNDAAF)

Sarah Robinson, Department Chair, Graduate Program Director, Communication Sciences & Disorders

Kevan Rusk, Director of Business Development (CEM)

Dana Sande, Vice President of Business Development, UND Aerospace Foundation (JDOSAS)

Shannon Sporbert-Webber, Dean’s Office Manager (CNPD)

Amy Whitney, Director of Center for Innovation (VPRED)

Advised by:

Brian Larson, Director of Construction Management (Facilities)

Rob Carolin, Director of University Outreach (President’s Office)