Speech

President's Report to the Board of Regents
  • Thank you, Chair Mayeron
  • I am delighted to address you all this morning in my official capacity as the 18th President of the University of Minnesota
  • As part of my inaugural President’s Report, I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to this Board for their tremendous support and collegiality throughout my onboarding process
  • From the moment you finalized my presidential appointment on March 8, you have all been so welcoming
  • Over these next few days, I look forward to engaging more closely with the Regents and University leadership as part of the Board’s annual retreat in Red Wing
  • I would like to take a moment to recognize former Interim President Jeff Ettinger for the extraordinary leadership he exhibited over the past year
  • Jeff and his team navigated a number of challenges and complex situations in recent months, and they have done so with the best intentions of the University in mind
  • When Jeff accepted the interim appointment last summer, he could have simply held down the fort until a permanent successor arrived
  • But instead, he was fully determined (and succeeded) in moving the University forward in a positive direction
  • I am forever grateful for his support throughout this leadership transition, and I wish him a relaxing next chapter
  • I am excited to now share some of my early observations as President
  • This is a critical moment in time for our five campuses, and for higher education broadly
  • As I begin my presidency, I am struck by this University’s superpower
  • The U of M is one of America’s leading public research universities, and yet we always prioritize our commitment to the State of Minnesota
  • That is a powerful and distinguished combination that I will ask us to double down on in the years ahead
  • I am also especially struck by the unique qualities of each of our five campuses and their home communities
  • This provides extraordinary options for our students
  • At the U of M, students have flexible, varied and affordable pathways to a degree and to future careers
  • As you know, my own lived experience shaped my understanding of the value higher education has on our lives
  • My mother was a nontraditional college student whose degree lifted us out of financial hardship, and enabled me to be the first in my family to go directly to college after high school 
  • This University has a proud, 170-year history of providing that kind of transformational value and educational excellence for students, families and communities across the state and beyond
  • It is critical that we continue on our strong path to prioritize access, affordability and positive educational outcomes
  • The University is as accessible to Minnesotans as it has ever been, with more Minnesota students choosing to attend the U of M last year than ever before
  • I am also heartened by other indicators of affordability and value here, including the fact that nearly half of our students graduate with no debt at all
  • We have more to do to minimize debt and increase the return on investment for our students and families, but I am truly impressed with the level of commitment that I see here
  • As a parent, I am also well aware that the costs of college versus what students and families pay can often be confusing
  • But one fact about this place that has struck me is that, when it comes to middle-class families—those who are earning less than $110,000 a year— the U of M is the most affordable four-year option in Minnesota when accounting for the generous student aid they receive
  • There is a lot to be said about being the most affordable four-year college in the state for middle-class families
  • Another point of pride that I have learned more about in recent weeks is that our students benefit from a combination of academic excellence and experiential opportunities
  • I can see that faculty and staff are truly focused on teaching excellence and engaged learning opportunities, including internships, service learning and hands-on research
  • This kind of educational experience delivers tremendous value for students and for employers across the state
  • As we move forward, we will continue to address the important factors that help students thrive and succeed academically
  • To ensure that students who come to the U of M are able to graduate in a timely manner, while achieving their educational and career goals
  • Our campuses exist to serve all Minnesotans—from small towns to large urban centers, across all income levels, cultural backgrounds and life experiences
  • We have a truly diverse and evolving community
  • This past year saw the highest percentage of underrepresented students in the system’s history, and also a record-high number of faculty and staff hires who come from historically underrepresented identities
  • We must continue to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion, both on our campuses and in partnership with communities across the state, to ensure that we benefit from all the potential talent that can contribute to our mission
  • Of special importance to me is the University’s commitment to rebuilding trust with Minnesota’s Tribal Nations
  • We aim to form mutually beneficial partnerships built on research, policies and practices that respect Tribal sovereignty, languages and traditions
  • I see many hopeful, initial steps toward acknowledging the past and beginning to strengthen our relationships with Tribal Nations and Native people
  • I had the pleasure of meeting several Tribal Leaders last month, and I am committed to continuing the listening and collaboration that has laid the groundwork for productive discussions with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and community members
  • I have two more high-level observations that are of special importance as we chart our path forward
  • The first is that U of M is a strong R&D engine for the state
  • Through my experience as the Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan, I have a keen understanding of the critical role that an R1 university plays in the economic vitality of its home state
  • Here in Minnesota, the impact is unmistakable
  • The University generates more than $9 billion of economic activity for the state annually
  • University research leads to lifesaving discoveries, excellence in clinical care, on-the-ground expertise through Extension, business innovation and workforce development at scale
  • Last year, the U of M launched 23 startup companies stemming from its R&D—the highest ever—and 17 of them are based right here in Minnesota
  • Last week, as I toured the  St. Paul campus, I witnessed how our innovative work across the biological sciences is positively impacting human health, as well as environmental health and animal health
  • I learned of the vision our leaders have behind our Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation Center, and how we can utilize our research infrastructure to effectively address complex societal challenges ranging from food insecurity and climate change to disease modeling
  • We are indeed national leaders in this space
  • While I was in St. Paul, I also visited our College of Veterinary Medicine, where I learned about the many ways in which the U of M is working to control and eliminate diseases that impact people, animals and the world we share
  • I saw the critical role our University plays in protecting our food supply and thus preserving our economy
  • As I just learned—and I am sure many of you know—Minnesota is the country’s largest producer of turkeys
  • And so as part of our ongoing service to the state, researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine have dedicated their careers to supporting Minnesota’s poultry farmers and producers
  • Just another example of how the U of M is building a brighter future for Minnesota
  • If there is a message I would like to share with every person who lives here in Minnesota as I begin my presidency, it is this
  • Having one of the nation’s leading public research universities in the state means more opportunity and a better quality of life for everyone who lives here
  • Finally, and deeply connected to our research enterprise, U of M innovation drives a healthier Minnesota
  • Last week, I toured the four key academic health facilities that make up the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center
  • We will talk more about this important topic in the coming weeks and months, but my presidency will focus intensely on how the University will contribute to a healthy Minnesota for many years to come, including a plan to address Minnesota’s health care needs and workforce challenges
  • My own career and experience as a physician, who has been focused for decades on public health, makes me especially aware not only of our communities’ future health needs, but also the powerful role a public research university plays in addressing them
  • Especially as a public institution, we know that human health, animal health and environmental health are all deeply connected
  • There are big, big challenges and we know this University can be a major part of the solution
  • Of course, we understand and are grappling with many big challenges across the higher education landscape
  • We know we have a great deal of work to do to rebuild public trust in higher education—everything from issues of cost and value to civil discourse
  • Through it all, we must remain firm in our commitment to academic freedom, the very bedrock of discovery and educational excellence
  • We must work hard to welcome diverse viewpoints and develop skills for dialogue across our differences, even in the most challenging of circumstances
  • We must support important rights of free expression, while maintaining the safety and wellbeing of our campuses and our community
  • Over these past six months, I have had the privilege of meeting with countless students, faculty and staff from across our five campuses
  • I have also had the pleasure of connecting with many U of M graduates representing alumni networks in cities ranging from Houston to Las Vegas
  • A highlight for me so far was engaging with our alumni community at U of M Day, as we all took in a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field
  • I would like to extend a special thank you to our talented coaches from the Gopher Baseball Team for their help in ensuring I did not embarrass myself or the University when throwing out the first pitch in front of a very captive audience that included some of our biggest supporters
  • It was quite evident through my conversations with friends and supporters there and at the Alumni Association’s recent Year-End Social that the passion and pride our graduates have for this historic university shines bright
  • I would now like to provide some important updates on leadership positions
  • The University welcomed another new leader on July 1, as Dr. Charles Nies began his tenure as the 10th chancellor of our Duluth campus
  • Dr. Nies brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education to Duluth, most recently serving as the vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of California, Merced
  • He is an experienced, strategic leader, and I look forward to working closely with Dr. Nies to support the continued success of our tremendous students, faculty and staff in Duluth
  • And I would be remiss not to again recognize Dave McMillan for his incredible leadership and service to UMD over the course of his two-year interim chancellor appointment  
  • His passion for and commitment to the success of our Duluth campus—and the University system as a whole—is truly remarkable
  • Before I move on, I would like to formally welcome two new members of the President’s Office, who are joining me from the University of Michigan
  • Jessica Durkin joined U of M on May 31 as my Chief of Staff
  • And Alex Piazza is now serving as my Executive Director of Presidential Communications
  • Together, Jessica and Alex have a combined 40 years of experience working on Big 10 executive teams
  • I also would like to thank Jon Steadland, who has not only supported my presidential transition in recent months, but also provided strong support as Chief of Staff to Interim President Ettinger
  • With Jon serving as my Senior Advisor and Maggie Flaten and Brianna Menning serving as my Assistant Chiefs of Staff, I am surrounded by a strong team in the Office of the President who have experience working directly with me and also have profound institutional knowledge
  • My team also includes Orbe Walther , my Executive Assistant and Confidential Aide; Angie Pesch as our Office Manager, and Eve Wolf who serves as the Correspondence Manager–all three have a tremendous amount of University of Minnesota experience and knowledge, and for that I am grateful. This mixture will certainly help me and University leadership effectively position the U of M for continued success moving forward
  • On September 18, we will have an opportunity to come together on Northrop Mall to celebrate as a university community
  • The presidential inauguration provides a distinct moment in time for us as a university community to recognize our past, celebrate our present and prepare for the future
  • More details about September 18 will soon be shared broadly, and I look forward to seeing you on Northrop Mall so that we can celebrate together
  • On that day, I will be moderating a panel discussion before the inauguration ceremony that brings together some of the brightest minds in public health and higher education to discuss the critical role public research universities play in advancing the health of Minnesotans
  • As a University system, we are driven by five distinctly vibrant campuses
  • Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and the Twin Cities
  • Each one is uniquely designed to provide an affordable, world-class education for students so they can take on future leadership roles in the clinics, classrooms and communities—and everywhere in between
  • There is a certain power and promise associated with a U of M degree
  • It creates pathways for our students to enjoy economic stability and contribute their skills and talent to the world around them
  • I am committed to the success of our university as a  system
  • And so over these next few months, I will visit our campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris and Rochester so that I can begin to establish strong relationships with the students, faculty, staff and community members there
  • There is tremendous activity taking place on our Greater Minnesota campuses, and I would like to use part of my President’s Report to highlight some of their recent achievements
  • I would like to commend Chancellor Janet Schrunk Ericksen and her colleagues at the Morris campus on their prestigious designation as one of the most transfer-friendly colleges in the nation
  • I also would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Chancellor Lori Carrell and her colleagues at the Rochester campus for their work in designing a new Campus and Climate Action Plan
  • This strategic plan aims to provide a framework for future expansion, while simultaneously moving the Rochester campus toward the University’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050
  • As I continue to learn more about U of M, I am continuously impressed with our overall prowess when it comes to sustainability
  • Just last month, the Times Higher Ed Impact Rankings listed U of M among the Top 5 universities nationwide based on teaching, research, outreach and stewardship that supports a more sustainable, equitable and healthy future
  • More specifically, U of M ranks No. 2 in clean water and No. 3 in climate action
  • Sustainability is part of our DNA here, so much so that it may be easy for many of us not to realize how remarkable these accomplishments truly are
  • National rankings like this are a direct reflection of the experience and expertise of our faculty and staff who are consistently using their knowledge to positively impact the world around them
  • In closing, I want to reinforce my approach to leadership through service
  • Six months ago, I had the pleasure of touring all five system campuses as part of the presidential search process
  • During that 900-mile journey across the great state of Minnesota, many of you had an opportunity to hear from me
  • Now, I want to hear from you
  • There is so much institutional knowledge here in this room today, with our students, faculty and staff across all five system campuses
  • As we move forward, we will certainly have to work through some challenges together
  • But I believe the University of Minnesota can be a model of high-impact public higher education—one that builds authentic and trusting relationships with everyone who has a stake in our enterprise
  • As we work together, I will be intentional about fostering an environment in which faculty and staff are able to do their best work, and where students can thrive as they reach their educational goals
  • And as we look beyond our campuses, I am eager to help us find ways to enhance partnerships and create value across the state
  • And so as I embark on my tenure as president, I will lead by listening
  • As I continue to meet and listen to faculty, staff, students and community members across our state, I plan to ask one fundamental question: How can we do the greatest good for our University and our state?
  • The future is bright here at the University of Minnesota, and as President, I will work alongside you so that together we can write the university’s next bold chapter
  • Thank you for your time and attention this morning
  • Chair Mayeron, that concludes my Report