This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President’s Column: We all row – strategically!
• Pritchert named Staff Member of the Quarter
• McCann receives Western Studies Endowed Student Award
• 'What in the world' group sponsors event
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every other Monday from May 8 through August 14. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. the Friday before publication.

President’s Column: We all row—strategically!

by Tisa Mason, Ed.D., CAE
Valley City State University President

One does not have to be on campus long to pick-up the treasured phrase “We all row.” The message is intended, I believe, to inspire unity toward common goals and to declare that we all have a part in the success and future of this university. What becomes of utmost importance then is that we all agree and understand exactly what those common goals are—otherwise all that rowing will result in chaotic effort leading us nowhere.

Toward that end, we have been working together to consider our future and define those common goals. Several processes have helped shape our collective thinking, including the NDUS strategic plan, the current VCSU strategic plan and resulting successes, our strategic enrollment planning process, and our master plan. We tested the waters through several campus visioning sessions. We built upon this information through the work of a strategic planning committee, followed by several long, thoughtful, and intense leadership team meetings. The results are captured in these four goals:

• Growth: Grow the university to meet the needs of North Dakota and beyond. This goal includes strategies for marketing, strategic student recruitment, retention and persistence, and program development to increase opportunities for growth.

• Quality and Engagement: Provide distinctive learning opportunities. This goal focuses on promoting high-impact teaching and learning practices that promote academic and cocurricular student success; supporting continued growth through professional development for faculty and staff; and utilizing resources that foster supportive learning environments for all.

• Student Experience: Implement cocurricular experiences to positively impact the learning and growth of students. This goal speaks to the breadth of experiences students have on campus, online, and in their communities, and to the importance of delivering quality student experiences, including student life, access to services, financial support, work experiences, and campus interactions.

• Optimization: Increase efficiencies through innovation, collaboration, streamlining, and reallocation. This goal includes strategies for strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, streamlining services and implementing innovative solutions, and strategically allocating resources to provide the highest quality VCSU experience.

The next segment of our voyage has been charted. But like all cautious mariners, we will use both the art and the science of experience and data through the ratification process of the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and Student Senate in September. We will also engage with the VCSU Foundation in a visioning session this fall, strengthening our common goal and fueling our passage.

Then the oars will drop with clarity, power, and speed toward our next destination. Our future remains vibrant and vital to the state of North Dakota. We will row in unison, fueled by our values of being student-focused, innovative, learning-centered, collaborative, and engaged. I am excited and proud of this university. Yes, our future remains bright, and that indeed makes it a great day to be a Viking!

Pritchert named Staff Member of the Quarter

Marcia Pritchert, assistant director for financial aid, has been selected as recipient of the “Staff Member of the Quarter” award. She was recognized with an impromptu ceremony in McFarland Hall on July 6.

The following excerpt from Marcia’s nomination was shared: “Marcia is a very dedicated and hardworking employee, who has great compassion and commitment to her profession. She has a wonderful working relationship with the administration, faculty, and staff … she is continually learning and updating her skills by attending training sessions, workshops and webinars. Marcia works tirelessly to help students with their financial aid so that they can attain their educational goals. Marcia is a tremendous asset to VCSU!”

Congratulations, Marcia!

McCann receives Western Studies Endowed Student Award

Stephanie McCann, a VCSU history education student, presented a paper at the Dakota Conference on Northern Plains History, Literature, Art and Archaeology at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D., on April 21, 2017. Stephanie was selected as the recipient of the Western Studies Endowed Student Award. This is the third consecutive year a VCSU student has received recognition for presenting a paper at the conference.

McCann’s paper, “The Heroes of Barnes County in WWII,” focused on two men who played a significant role during World War II, Clifford J. Klein and Herman Stern. Klein was an important scientist who worked on the Manhattan Project. Stern, an immigrant from Germany and a businessman in Valley City for over 70 years, aided in the escape of over 175 European Jews during WWII. Stern is locally known as Barnes County’s Oscar Schindler.

'What in the World' group sponsors event

A conversation on the legislative impact on our community will be held July 27, at 7 p.m. at the Hi-Liner Activity Center. The event, open to the public free of charge, is sponsored by the “What in the World is Going On?” group.

Current District 24 legislators have been invited to briefly share information and views with attendees. City and county officials along with representatives from local organizations were also asked to participate.

The event will be moderated by Luis Da Vinha, Ph.D., assistant professor of geography and political science at Valley City State University.

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City ...

Monday, July 17
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Tuesday, July 18
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, July 19
noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club

Thursday, July 20
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Friday, July 21

Saturday, July 22

Sunday, July 23

Monday, July 24
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Tuesday, July 25
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, July 26
noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club

Thursday, July 27
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Friday, July 28

Saturday, July 29

Sunday, July 30

Monday, July 31
Payday
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Tuesday, August 1
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, August 2
noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club

Thursday, August 3
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Friday, August 4

Saturday, August 5

Sunday, August 6

Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.