FARGO (KFGO) – North Dakota State University president Marshall Stewart is sharing his plans for the future of the university.
He says he wants to think outside the box when it comes to higher education, and it will take navigation of a national enrollment cliff that could impact the region in the coming years.
“Microcredentials, certificates, stackable credentials, there’s lots of ways to touch people, and what we have to do in higher ed, not just NDSU, but I think the industry has to do if you think about us as an industry sector, is we gotta think about that differently. I do think we can grow, I think it’s gonna take time.” Stewart said.
With the cost of higher education a concern, Stewart wants funding assistance for students to be more transparent and easier to access.
“A lot of scholarship information doesn’t hit the students until they apply and then probably know they’ve been accepted. Then they make a decision on scholarships, that scholarship information needs to be at the kitchen table when they’re sitting with their parents making the decision of where to go to school. We’re gonna change some of that, because that’s really where it impacts the student, and impacts the decision not only about whether they go, but where they go.” Stewart said.
Stewart believes NDSU can be a top university in the country in academics, research, and engagement. He says he wants to unite departments across the campus so the university can better address statewide issues and real-world challenges. He says the goal is for the campus to be one.
“One does not mean we’re all the same, It means we’re one, we’re united, and we come together, and we build together. I want to see more interdisciplinary programs across colleges. The problems in society are not simply engineering problems or simply agriculture, or arts and sciences,” Stewart said. “The university is already moving in some great areas, my job is to refine that, sharpen that, bring on greater partners with the legislature, with philanthropy, and really grow this institution forward.”
Stewart made his comments on KFGO’s ‘News and Views’ with Joel Heitkamp.
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