What does the world want from UNT?

A public university exists for the good of students, business and industry, and communities. UNT's overarching mission is to provide students with an excellent education so they can build meaningful careers and lives. Built into that mission is UNT's goal to support industry with a well-educated, highly skilled workforce, to help bolster the economy, and to be a strong cultural and social resource for communities.

But is there more to do? We want to know what the world wants and expects from UNT. Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below or tweet your #UNTExpectations.

During President Smatresk's inaugural Planning Implementation Workshop this month, participants were asked to consider what the world expects from UNT. Here are some of the expectations that participants shared.

What does the world want from UNT?

“I think the world expects UNT to identify and develop the talent of the people here.”

− Jamie Wilson, Denton ISD superintendent and UNT alumnus, a participant in table discussions at the Planning Implementation Workshop

"We need to develop students who are effective at what they do and know how to be a leader."

− Mike Sayler, senior associate dean for academic affairs and research in the College of Education, sharing feedback from discussions at the Planning Implementation Workshop

"We need to be more responsive to the workforce."

− Hank Dickenson, deputy athletic director, sharing feedback from discussions at the Planning Implementation Workshop

See all world expectations »

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Marilyn Wileysenior associate dean in the College of Business, speaking for table 10 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. To provide leadership in national and international issues through cooperative endeavors with other government entities through research and collaboration
  2. To produce work-ready graduates
  3. To be a center for artistic excellence
  4. To provide an affordable, quality education
  5. To produce graduates who are informed citizens contributing to society

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:39
Cinnamon Sheffieldsenior associate athletic director, speaking for table 11 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. Educated and professional graduates with a view of their role in society and culture
  2. Leaders in guiding local economy by making educational advances
  3. Problem-solvers, thinkers, leaders and listeners who are educated citizens
  4. Leaders in innovative change and become the community's research and development source
  5. Students who can acquire careers that will enable them to give back to the university and the community

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:39
Annette Lawrenceprofessor and chair of the Department of Studio Art, speaking for table 7 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. Accessibility
  2. Affordability
  3. Sustainability
  4. Lifelong learning

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:40
Jason Simonassociate vice provost for institutional research and effectiveness, speaking for table 3 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. The world may not know this, but the world wants an institution to preserve our intellectual and cultural heritage even as we act as agents of change
  2. To be an agent of change to improve the quality of life in our city and region
  3. To produce problem-solvers and critical thinkers
  4. To create an informed, literate, ethical and socially conscious individual
  5. To fundamentally change the economic opportunities of our students and future generations

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:40
Patrick Pluschtassociate vice provost for learning enhancement, speaking for table 8 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. An economic driver for the local and regional economy
  2. Transformative experiences so our graduates go out into the world to foster change and solve problems. UNT improves life trajectories
  3. Good models of sustainable practices
  4. Graduates who are adaptable not only to changing job environments, but also to a changing world – leaders
  5. Graduates who are ready to take on the world, are deeply engaged in the community and are flag bearers for social justice

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:41
Rebecca Lothringerexecutive director of admissions, speaking for table 4 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. Educated, prepared, talented graduates ready for the professional world
    1. Skills: team building, problem-solving, critical thinking
    2. Students can change their lives
    3. Students are ready to be leaders and entrepreneurs
  2. Community engagement and economic development
    1. Align job growth of Denton with the talent resources of UNT graduates
    2. Be a source of a talent for Denton and beyond
  3. Culture that rewards high productivity and scholarship of students, faculty and staff
  4. Innovation, knowledge, creativity
    1. Integrate knowledge and creativity – UNT provides knowledge and tools
    2. Help solve global challenges (with a local flair) and provide solutions or explanations
    3. Provide a culture of humanities
  5. To fulfill our mission every day

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:42
Mike Saylersenior associate dean in the College of Education, speaking for table 5 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. To listen to students and communities about what they want and need, and respond
  2. To create effective citizens, including leaders
  3. To produce people and ideas that advance the world, including graduates prepared for lifelong learning
  4. To be innovative, including a model of how to sustain ourselves so we can continue to serve for the next 100 years
  5. To have partnerships with business, school and industry – real world, problem-solving (internships)
  6. Additional priorities:
    1. UNT needs to identify its top programs and promote the heck out of them
    2. There are probably a lot of community service opportunities that UNT students could be involved in, especially in nonprofits

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:50
Hank Dickensondeputy athletic director, speaking for table 2 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. To produce people who make a quick, significant impact locally and globally
  2. To develop innovative leaders
  3. To be more responsive to workforce, community and demographic needs
  4. To provide world-class education at a reasonable price
  5. To provide better quality than anyone
  6. 10 bilingual teachers for Denton ISD

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:50
Linda Hollowayprofessor and chair of the Department of Disability and Addiction Rehabilitation, speaking for table 12 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. To be a leader of adaptive change – be nimble in adapting to the changing trends in the world
  2. To provide top quality, consistent education in a stable environment that is affordable and accessible
  3. To produce top quality graduates and a well-educated workforce who are outstanding world citizens – people who have good communication skills and cultural understanding
  4. To generate ideas, technologies and solutions
  5. To produce graduates who know how to work and will work

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:51
Teresa McKinneyassistant vice president for student affairs, speaking for table 9 at the Planning Implementation Workshop

  1. To develop holistic students who are creative, innovative and entrepreneurial leaders
  2. To be an accessible, affordable and engaging university
  3. To be a place that the public, businesses and governmental agencies can look to for answers
  4. To produce students who graduate in four years
  5. To be a unique, eclectic, world-class university in Denton, Texas, with several nationally recognized programs

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 11:53

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