The University of Mary Evolves to Meet Workforce Needs

Since its founding in 1959, the University of Mary has prepared students to support the local workforce. The college initially focused on teaching students nursing and education, enabling them to graduate and meet the community's needs. Today, the University of Mary offers a much broader curriculum, with nearly 60 undergraduate majors, as well as master's and doctoral degrees. However, it still develops coursework based on the requests of industry leaders.

“We have never lost sight of our mission,” says Dr. Diane Fladeland, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Mary. “Our strategic planning comes from listening to the community, and we are always doing environmental scanning to see what the people and business leaders of North Dakota need.”

Not only does this vision support the employers of Bismarck-Mandan, but it also better prepares students for success after graduation. Its values have made the University of Mary an asset to the region for the past 66 years. 

The University of Mary Opened to Support Local Farmers

Dr. Fladeland highlights the rich history of both Bismarck-Mandan and the University of Mary. When the school opened, it mainly catered to the daughters of local farmers. The students had a strong North Dakota work ethic and expected to apply their skills in the workforce after graduation. This rings true today.

“We want our students to be first to get a job offer and the first to get admitted to graduate school,” says Dr. Fladeland. “We are very proud of our 97% placement rate after graduation.”

The University of Mary operates on the principle that every student is worthy of an education and has unique gifts to offer the world. In 2024, 3,801 students were enrolled at the university (with 2,288 undergraduates), creating a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. The small class sizes provide opportunities for individualized attention, helping students overcome hurdles and master concepts.

The University of Mary also builds internship or work experience requirements into each of its programs. This ensures each student graduating from the college has at least some field experience, growing workforce readiness while providing a smoother transition for employers.

More Than 60% of Students Come from Out of State

The University of Mary actively grows the local workforce by admitting students from all 50 states and 19 countries. It achieved its highest enrollment levels ever in 2025, with 60% of the 4,000-person student body coming from outside North Dakota. While some students will return home after graduation, Dr. Fladeland aims to create an environment that encourages students to stay.

“Our students offer a lot of workforce potential to build this amazing state,” she says. “One of the reasons we require internships is to connect students with local employers who can offer jobs after graduation.”

The close partnerships between the school and the local workforce make students qualified to step into open positions. The internship connections and welcoming business community make them want to stay.  

The University of Mary Continues to Develop New Programs 

The University of Mary continually creates opportunities for students to explore new majors or develop their skills. In 2016, it opened the Hamm School of Engineering to help fill open positions at nearby firms. In 2025, it opened the Butler Center for Early Learning to provide childcare for families while creating a hands-on learning environment for early childhood education students.

Currently, the University of Mary is working with local school districts to help fill teacher vacancies. It is developing programs to recruit students into education-centric majors and helping them understand what it will be like to be a teacher.

“Teaching is a wonderful, important, and essential career for both our community and country,” says Dr. Fladeland.

Every program is created through local partnerships, advisory boards, and insights from employers in North Dakota. Dr. Fladeland even encourages businesses to reach out to her directly and explain what kind of worker they need. Every conversation matters and can help shape the future of the local workforce.

Meet Other Education and Workforce Development Partners 

The University of Mary is just one of multiple workforce development partners in the region. Meet the other colleges and universities that have a presence here, including United Tribes Technical College and Bismarck State College North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution. There isn’t a single entity that can create a workforce-ready population. Each organization serves specific audiences and helps learners turn into productive employees across the region.