As fall semester draws to a close, summer seems like a distant memory. My summer took
me on a meaningful journey. After 25 years in higher education, I had the opportunity
to take my first-ever sabbatical. I spent two months away from campus hiking, reflecting,
and spending time with my family, and I learned unexpected lessons on my trek across
the 14ers of Colorado — the state’s 58 mountains over 14,000 feet — that are applicable
to life back on campus.
Over the past three years, we have been on the path of implementing our strategic
plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030, which is designed to help the University of Northern
Colorado realize our vision for the future. As we continue on this journey of implementing
our plan and assessing our progress, I find myself drawing on the same skills I use
in hiking. Just
as packing the right gear is essential before climbing, planning requires putting
the right structures, processes, and people in place to support our success. Yet adaptability
is also key. Some days, conditions are perfect, and everything goes as planned. More
often than not, we face the unexpected and need to pivot.
In hiking as in planning, we must maintain perspective. Like an impressive mountain
peak, seeing the path to realize our vision for the future of UNC is both exhilarating
and daunting. As we near the conclusion of the second two-year phase and prepare to
enter the third, it is important to pause at this “mile marker” to remind ourselves
both of how far we have come and the work necessary to continue our journey. While
the actions and tactics comprising each segment of our plan help guide us, it is also
important to take the opportunity to refocus on the vision and objectives we are pursuing
for the future.
Five vision elements serve as the building blocks for what UNC will be in 2030:
- Students First
- Empower Inclusivity
- Enhance and Invest
- Innovate and Create
- Connect and Celebrate
A favorite quote of mine is by Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount
Everest, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” Life is as much about
the journey as it is the destination. I invite you to read through this issue of UNC
Magazine and discover some of the amazing journeys our students, faculty, and alumni
have taken.
Go Bears!
Andy Feinstein
President
