North Dakota University System

Welcome back, students and faculty! Have a great semester!

We’re counting down the days to our North Dakota AI Conference Sept. 26 at Valley City State University! We have a great lineup of speakers scheduled to share their expertise on AI and their thoughts on how new technologies will impact all sectors of society in the not-so-distant future. Our keynote speakers include the Honorable James E. Baker who is the director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law and professor at the Syracuse College of Law and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Also joining us is Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president and professor for the Center for Cybersecurity at the University of West Florida. Read more information about their presentations and those of our breakout session presenters at https://lnkd.in/gw4d9_ZY

Join the Dakota Digital Academy and our event partners at Valley City State University this fall for the inaugural North Dakota AI Conference! Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the evolving relationship between humans and AI in the context of work, society, personal development and what it will mean for all North Dakotans. For more information and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gw4d9_ZY

Last week, Mark Hagerott PhD gave a presentation on the emergence of generative AI, intelligent machines and the metaverse during an Annual Meeting held by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association’s (SHEEO) in Washington, D.C. The chancellor spoke about how generative AI will challenge higher education systems as profoundly as the invention of the internet and how state university systems will be called upon to help their communities thrive as artificially intelligent worlds emerge. He also spoke about resiliency and how leaders must prioritize adaptability and transformability in the AI realm while maximizing reliability and meeting the day-to-day needs of students.

The NDUS has hired Thomas Danford for the position of Vice Chancellor of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Core Technology Services beginning July 22, 2024. Danford will succeed Darin King, who retired after 33 years of service to North Dakota. Danford has more than 25 years of experience in higher education. He served as the chief information officer for the Tennessee Board of Regents for 12 years, where he was responsible for the system technologies that supported 6 universities, 13 community colleges, and 26 schools of technology. He has also held leadership roles in academic, administrative, infrastructure, and research technologies at institutions ranging from community colleges to research institutions. Welcome, Thomas! Read more at https://bit.ly/3LcKIFj

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) approved its leadership for its next year of work during a May meeting that followed a daylong informational retreat at Bismarck State College. Chair Tim Mihalick was voted unanimously for another one-year term while Member Danita Bye will serve as vice chair. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gz_kqrkD

Happy National Higher Education Day! In North Dakota, we want to give the best opportunities for future success to all of our students. The North Dakota University System can help students find the right education path to meet career goals. There are hundreds of programs to choose from, including online and virtual courses, traditional 2- and 4-year degrees, dual credit and certificates. Learn more about these choices at ruready.nd.gov Thank you to our State Board of Higher Education, our 11 campuses, staff, faculty and students for making higher education in North Dakota something to celebrate!

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! 👨🎓 👩🎓 🎉

According to data reported to the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) this month, the North Dakota University System saw an increase in student retention rates for the 2023 school year. Systemwide, retention was at 75%, rebounding to match pre-pandemic levels in 2018 and 2020. Read more at: https://bit.ly/3WlwGrJ

Join Bank of North Dakota tonight, April 23, from 7-8 p.m. CT for a free online session to help you learn about the importance of filing the FAFSA, common questions about the form, and what to expect after you have completed it. Visit nd.gov/FinishtheFAFSA to register!