Since January 1, 2020, Jim Deal and I co-led the College of Human Sciences and Education as interim deans. We both anticipated being in this role for a few months, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Dean Margaret Fitzgerald transitioning into the role of Provost, we have been in our co-Dean roles for two and a half years. We turn the reins over June 1 to incoming dean Ronald Werner-Wilson. You’ll learn more about him in next month’s newsletter.

Leading a college through a pandemic was a challenge, but the resourcefulness and talent of our staff and faculty made it as easy as it could be. The first few months of our tenure were focused on the transition to online learning and welcoming a new class of first year students using Zoom. Things soon transitioned to a new normal way of doing things, however. Despite challenging circumstances, the college has continued to thrive. 

In collaboration with the NDSU foundation, we have raised over $2.5 million for student scholarships, faculty support, programs and renovation projects. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting scores of supporters and alumni of this fantastic college. It’s been an absolute pleasure and I appreciate everyone who made me feel welcomed and who entrusted us with your gifts. 

We’ve welcomed several new faculty to the college in the last three years. These faculty have had an experience like no other. Some of them interviewed online and only saw Fargo when they moved here. They have been a joy to work with and have enriched our college in many ways. 

Research remains an important part of what we do. Despite the pandemic and the issues that came with it, faculty productivity remained high. As a college, we published over one hundred refereed journal articles and received more than $250,000 in external funding each of the last two years.

Students are the reason we are here and we have helped prepare many classes of talented individuals for the real world. Since January 2020, 857 undergraduate and 316 graduate students have earned their degree from the College of Human Sciences and Education. It is always bittersweet to see students graduate. We love getting to know them while they are here, but are so proud of all they will accomplish with the new knowledge they’ve learned while earning their NDSU degree.

We started out this journey with the goal of keeping the college running and not breaking anything. We complete our journey with a college in great shape, poised to take on the challenges of the future. Jim and I will continue our work as associate deans in the college, doing what we can to support the faculty, staff and incoming dean Werner-Wilson. As the Grateful Dead said: “What a long, strange trip it’s been.”