Hotline // November 23, 2022

President's Column: Enrollment, Excellence, Engagement, and Innovation

Greetings from Valley City State University! I hope this column finds you enjoying preparations for time spent with family, friends and loved ones. We have recently completed our new strategic plan entitled, “Forward Together” with an overarching goal to be the region’s preferred institution for students seeking transformative, quality experiences, and meaningful connections. The campus-wide implementation team is working with all units across campus to develop specific goals for each area.

The first pillar of our strategic plan focuses on enrollment growth, retention, and outreach. In a challenging landscape, enrollment has maintained excellent momentum. While total headcount and full-time equivalents (FTE) for the Fall 2022 semester fell slightly, our freshman class is the fourth largest in institutional history and residence hall occupancy rates increased by 22% this fall. These numbers, combined with a rebound of retention to 70%, point to a bright future for our institution. Five of our incoming freshmen have been awarded a Presidential Scholarship, which recognizes and rewards top academic achievers. Our campus continues to plan and develop strategies for growth, improved retention, and continued outreach and collaboration.

The second objective of our strategic plan is to create quality experiences through innovation. We are dedicated to continuous improvement in learning and instruction, innovation, and facilities and technology. This commitment to quality experiences in and out of the classroom continues. External validation is evidenced by our continuing Higher Learning Commission accreditation, program-specific accreditations in education (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) and music (National Association for Music), U.S. News ranking as the top regional public institution in North Dakota for 2022, recent recognition from Wallet Hub as the lowest net cost institution in North Dakota, and quality athletic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities for our students.

Our final objective is to cultivate an engaged community that supports innovation, growth, and quality. Through student, employee, and external engagement we are developing plans to enhance the quality of place, resulting in a thriving and vibrant campus community to attract and retain students. Additionally, we continue to ensure human resource policies, procedures, and business processes enable us to recruit and retain outstanding employees. Finally, we strive to improve external engagement to seek, build, nurture and reinforce relationships benefitting VCSU’s future.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m thankful and grateful for all who have contributed to the new strategic plan. I’m thankful for students, faculty, and staff who infuse this campus, community, region and state with excellence, engagement, and innovation. I’m grateful for the support of donors and friends who impact campus and students through sharing of time, resources, talents, and treasures. I’m appreciative of the dedication of all to think forward and imagine the VCSU of tomorrow while retaining the tremendous qualities and traditions of the institution. Finally, I’m thankful for the great state of North Dakota and the important role VCSU plays in sustaining this greatness for future generations.

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope you will be able to spend this time with family, friends, and loved ones. As you do so, take a moment to reflect on the many things for which you are thankful. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Valley City State University!

Go Vikings!

Global Exploration Club spaghetti supper

Join the Global Exploration Club for a spaghetti supper on Monday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Valley City Eagles Club. The group will host a second spaghetti supper on Jan. 16.

All donations are used to fund student trips to Costa Rica and Argentina.

North Dakota Academic Consortium

Looking for a book to read or listen to over the break? We’ve made it even easier for you to get ebooks and audiobooks for free from the library! Allen Memorial Library has joined forces with other academic libraries across the state to form the North Dakota Academic Consortium.

What does this mean for you? A major increase in books available to you online! We now have nearly 6,000 ebooks or audiobooks available to you for free from classic literature to the latest Colleen Hoover titles and more being added all the time!

Already have Libby? Just search for “North Dakota Academic Consortium” and use your VCSU login and password to add us to your Libby app then find your next read.

New to Libby? Libby is the one-tap reading app from our library where you can borrow ebooks and digital audiobooks for free. You can stream books with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere. All you need to get started is a VCSU login and password: https://meet.libbyapp.com.

Meet Dalvin Simmons

Dalvin Simmons came to VCSU after hearing about our nationally-acclaimed education program. He is balancing work on the field as a football coach and off the field in one of our Education master’s programs.

Read more about Dalvin at https://www.vcsu.edu/dalvin-simmons/

Book the President's House for your next event

Did you know the President’s House at VCSU is available for meetings, events and even overnight stays? The house has a full kitchen, multiple gathering places and an ambiance that cannot be beat. Volunteers spend hours decorating the house for the holidays.

Plan your next meeting or event, or book a stay at https://www.vcsu.edu/about-vcsu/campus-facilities/presidentshouse/ or call Brooke at the Student Center for more information at (701) 845-7122.

Viking Sports Update

Women’s Basketball
Nov. 18: Dakota State 70, VCSU 49
Nov. 19: VCSU 72, Presentation College 60
The VCSU women’s basketball team improved its overall record to 5-2 last week. The Vikings are back home Wednesday, Nov. 23, against Oak Hills Christian College. 

Men’s Basketball
Nov. 19: Iowa Wesleyan 81, VCSU 58
Nov. 20: William Woods 84, VCSU 82
The VCSU men’s basketball team is now 3-4 overall this season. The Vikings host Oak Hills on Wednesday, Nov. 23. 

Cross Country
VCSU freshman Dom Santiago competed Nov. 18 at the NAIA National Meet in Tallahassee, Fla. Santiago finished in 284th place at the national meet and ran the second best time of his Viking career. 

Upcoming Events
Nov. 23: WBB/MBB vs. Oak Hills Christian College, 5/7 p.m.
Nov. 26: Men’s Basketball at Augustana University, 3 p.m.
Nov. 30: WBB/MBB vs. Trinity Bible College, 5:30/7:30 p.m.

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

Find out what’s happening in the community on the Valley City Community Calendar: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/

Find out what’s happening at the VCSU Center for the Arts: https://www.vcsu.edu/center-for-the-arts/fine-arts-calendar/

November 21
Laken Chase Senior Art Exhibition opens, VCSU Art Gallery (Center for the Arts)
On display Nov. 21 – Dec. 1

November 24
VCSU offices closed

November 30
2 p.m. Artist Talk for Laken Chase’s Senior Art Exhibition, VCSU Art Gallery (Center for the Arts)
3 – 4 p.m. Reception for Laken Chase’s Senior Art Exhibition, VCSU Art Gallery (Center for the Arts)

Community Club meetings

• Valley City Community Band – every Thursday, VCSU Center for the Arts Room 171
• Kiwanis – Wednesdays at noon, Valley City Town & Country Club
• Optimist Club – Thursdays at 7:00 a.m., Vicky’s Viking Room
• Rotary Club – Tuesdays at noon, VCSU
• Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals – 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church
• Barnes County Wildlife Federation – 2nd Wednesday of the month
• Grief Journeys for Adults Support Group – meet virtually, call Hospice at 701-845-1781 to take part

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