On The Move - Fall 2022 - UNT Dallas Newsletter

The Official Publication of • UNTDallas.edu
BLAZE YOUR TRAIL
RANKING HIGHER
AND HIGHER
UNT Dallas Achieves Record
Breaking Rankings Nationwide
WE SHOOT, WE SCORE AND MORE IN ATHLETICS
PAGE 6
FALL 2022

Bob Mong
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings Trailblazers,
The university is preparing carefully for the upcoming 88th Texas
Legislative Session that begins in January.
Our theme for this session is “Why UNT Dallas Matters – Local Students for
the Local Workforce.”
This message was well received during my first legislative presentation on
Sept. 20 in Austin.
You will recall we had our best session ever two years ago. We left with the
largest percentage increase in appropriations of any DFW public university.
We also received $3.5 million to begin our Center for Socioeconomic
Mobility through Education. Most of all, we received $100 million for a
new STEM building, something that will transform our campus and create
healthcare pathways for area students for generations to come. The
building should open in the 2025–26 school year.
We have built a trusting and strong relationship with the local Dallas area
legislative delegation as well as leaders in the state. They have a good
grasp of why we matter, and we will do our best to build on that good will
this session.
One reason for this trust and support can be found in recently released
state data on how much debt our graduates leave with. The majority of our
graduates are Hispanic with African Americans being the second largest
group. So what does the state say about these graduates?
For African American UNT Dallas graduates, 90 percent earn their degree
with no or manageable debt, much better than the state average.
As for Hispanics, 98 percent earn their degree or manageable debt, also
well above the state average.
We are proud of our demographics, and prouder still, that we are assisting
our students with earning a degree without much debt.
Our vision is to provide our students with a pathway to upward economic
mobility. It is a vision that we are making progress on. A national study
released earlier this year ranked us 15th nationally among 1300 American
colleges and universities in upward economic mobility among our grads.
That’s a good story to tell.
STRATEGIC PLANNING IS ABOUT CHOOSING
WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO
The University of North Texas at Dallas
is moving from a one-year strategic plan
to a five-year strategic plan. With a golive
date of early 2023, the plan is led by
a cross-functional committee of over 30
people and chaired by Drs. Jose da Silva,
Marco Shappeck, and Julie Siddique. It
will be our GPS – Guided Path to Success
– as we continue to advance our mission
of empowering students, transforming
lives, and strengthening communities. We
will be aspirational, think big, and boldly
ask what if and why not. Through broad
campus and community engagement, the
plan will reflect the insights and expertise
of our students, faculty, staff, and other
stakeholders and partners. It will align
our efforts, inform decisions, and guide
where and how we invest our energy
and resources as we transition to the
expansion stage of our growth lifecycle.
And we could not be more excited about
the UNT System “Join the Journey” values
initiative, where our five-year strategic
plan will naturally align.
We are Trailblazers! Here we come.
Guided Path to Success
Blazing our path to the future.
2 ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022

COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS
UNT DALLAS CELEBRATES $2 MILLION
GIFT WITH DEDICATION OF RYAN TOWER
With an eye toward the sky and the future,
the University of North Texas at Dallas
celebrated the dedication and opening
of Ryan Tower with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony held September 13. The tower
was generously funded with a $2 million gift
from Amanda Ryan and G. Brint Ryan, the
former chairman of the University of North
Texas System Board of Regents.
The landmark tower will soon become an
icon of the university, representing higher
learning and serving as a focal point of
campus life for carrying out Trailblazer
customs and traditions. Located in the
center of UNT Dallas’ 264-acre campus, the
180-foot-tall lighted tower includes a water
feature, donor wall, masonry seat walls and
a lighted pedestrian plaza. Seen from miles
away, it makes the university a prominent
symbol of the community it serves.
“I believe education is the most powerful
catalyst for change that there is. It lifts
people out of poverty and gives them the
opportunity to enjoy the full freedom that
is the promise behind the American dream,”
said G. Brint Ryan. “Amanda and I have
shared our success here because we believe
so much in the mission of UNT Dallas.”
Ryan Tower is a source of pride and
empowerment for the students,
administrators, faculty, staff and the
community. UNT Dallas President Bob
Mong said, “Every time I see the tower, I
am inspired – without exception. For
me, it symbolizes the heights our
students and future students will attain.
I am grateful to the Ryan family for
believing in UNT Dallas and its students,
faculty and staff.”
Ryan Tower complements the campus’
design and is the latest structure to
be added to the 264-acre southern
Dallas campus.
“Walking on campus and seeing Ryan
Tower shows that UNT Dallas is growing
and that the community is standing
behind us on our way forward into
the future. The light that shines from
it makes students feel empowered to
become a beacon, not only in their lives
but in their homes and communities,”
said Jessica Armstead, former Student
Regent of the UNT System Board of
Regents and current UNT Dallas Student
Government Association President.
“I believe education is the most powerful
catalyst for change that there is.”
— G. Brint Ryan
ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022
3

COVER STORY
UNT DALLAS ACHIEVES
HIGHEST RANKING IN
HISTORY
U.S. News & World Report
ranks The University of
North Texas at Dallas
(UNT Dallas) No. 21 as a
Top Public School and
No. 23 as a Top Performer Social
Mobility, both in the Regional
Universities West category. The
University also ranked highly on
Money.com’s list, earning the No. 5
spot for Best College in Texas. UNT
Dallas continues to gain momentum
in rankings as students seek both
quality and affordability in their
academic pursuits.
UNT Dallas climbed 21 spots in the
Top Public School category and 29
spots in the Top Performer Social
Mobility category in the 2022-23 U.S.
News & World Report rankings. The
Regional Universities West category
includes more than 100 universities
spanning 11 states. Adding to the
accolades, Money.com ranks UNT
Dallas No. 5 in Texas and as the top
ranked university in the Dallas-Fort
Worth area according to the August
2022 Best Colleges in Texas list.
Multiple factors were used in the
methodology to create the rankings
including quality of education,
economic mobility, value and more.
“UNT Dallas is committed to
enhancing the economic mobility
of its current and future students,”
said UNT Dallas President Bob Mong.
“Our top rankings are a testament
to the dedication and hard work
of our faculty, staff and partners
as we all work together to create
opportunities for our students to
pursue higher education and fill
local job demand.”
The rankings exemplify the
university’s dedication to its mission:
to empower students, transform
lives and strengthen communities.
From a student perspective,
sophomore Communication
and Digital Media major Aakira
Blackmon said, “The rankings
provide more prestige to my degree.
When I graduate, I know that
hiring managers will recognize the
university name and be confident
that I’m prepared and qualified for
the job.”
UNT Dallas continues to maintain
affordable tuition and fees while
increasing academic offerings
and strengthening academic rigor
with plans to open a new science
building in 2025. And with the
recent establishment of the UNT
Dallas Center for Socioeconomic
Mobility Through Education, the
university will develop local projects
to increase quality of life and
sustainable living wage careers
for students living in low-income
neighborhoods in the university’s
service area.
4 ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022

OUR RANKINGS
No. 21
as a Top Public School
No. 23
as a Top Performer Social Mobility
ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022
5

ATHLETICS
ATHLETICS KICKS-OFF BASKETBALL
SEASON WITH TWO HOMECOMING WINS
RECRUITING
Our Trailblazer basketball teams continue to grow and recruit great
talent from North Texas and around the country. This season’s studentathletes
represent the largest recruiting class since our athletics
program begin two years ago, with 58% of our recruits residing in the
North Texas area.
Team
Men’s
Basketball
Women’s
Basketball
Cross Country/
Track
Recruits from
North Texas
Area
Recruits from
Out of State
Total Recruits
12 11 23
13 7 20
13 10 23
Total 38 28 66
HOMECOMING 2022 RECAP
The Trailblazers entertained a crowd of more 300 fans
during heavy rains and thunderstorms. The Trailblazers
won both games, with the women’s team defeating
Dallas Christian College and men’s team handling North
American University.
6 ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022

SCHEDULING UP
The men’ basketball team will play against Division-I teams
from Tarleton State and Grambling University.
The women’s basketball team will play against Division -I teams
from Tarleton State and Texas State, as well as Division-II Texas
A&M Commerce and Sam Houston State.
Sooner Athletic Conference play kicks off on Thursday,
November 17, against Wayland Baptist University. The women’s
team starts at 6 p.m. and the men’s team starts at 8 p.m.
Games against Oklahoma Panhandle State University follow on
Saturday, November 19, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For a complete schedule visit untdathletics.com
HOUR-A-THON
Student-athletes gathered the last Saturday morning in
September and spent one hour texting and calling friends and
family to raise money for their teams. The fund-raising program,
called Hour-A-Thon, netted the three Trailblazer teams $16,202.
Thanks to all who offered their support.
NEW
BASKETBALL VENUE
All Trailblazer basketball games are played at The Trinity
Basin Athletic Complex, 2524 W. Ledbetter, Dallas, TX 75233
• Seats 2,000
• 94’ intercollegiate basketball court
• Athletic Training Room
• Ticket Booth
• Concession Stand
• 750 parking spaces
ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022
7

FALL 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
UNT DALLAS STRENGTHENS TIES TO
THE COMMUNITY WITH MONTHLY
MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES
What began as a way to support UNT Dallas
students experiencing food insecurity
during the pandemic has grown to become
a monthly rain-or-shine event that
residents across Southern Dallas depend
upon – especially as they face job losses
and the rising costs of food, gas and shelter.
Since 2020, UNT Dallas has deepened
its ties in the community by teaming up
with the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) to
UNT CHANCELLOR DISCUSSES VALUES-BASED
CULTURE AT TOWN HALL
Recently, UNT System Chancellor Dr.
Michael Williams joined a UNT Dallas Town
Hall and shared his goal of establishing
a values-based culture across all UNT
System organizations. Establishing a
shared commitment to work-place values
will allow every employee to work toward
achieving common goals, provide best
of class customer service, and create an
environment where we all hold ourselves to
a higher standard. Values only matter if they
matter to each of us.
A values-based culture is the foundation
on which our vision (where we are going),
mission (what we do), and purpose (why we
exist) are built. It is a set of values with a
set of behaviors we agree to live by. In fact,
provide thousands of free food boxes to
families, individuals and students.
To date, more than 1.1 million lbs. of food
have been distributed during the drivethrough
mobile pantry events.
In early November, cars lined up around
the campus as UNT Dallas joined the NTFB
and Tom Thumb/Albertson’s to provide
Thanksgiving food boxes to 500-plus families
and turkeys for the first 250 participants.
as our new vision states clearly, we will be
values-driven:
By 2026, the UNT System is one team,
values-driven and customer-focused with
an emphasis on excellence, curiosity, and
innovation.
But what does “values-driven” actually
mean? I describe it this way:
It’s a people-first culture where we live by a
common set of values and behaviors
• We make our decisions about everything
we do based on our values
• It’s a culture filled with high levels of
trust, a one team mindset
• We believe more in serving others than
receiving for ourselves
• We no longer have silos keeping us
apart, we openly share information
• No more “we vs. them” mentality
• We celebrate each other’s successes
And UNT Dallas students – some who have
taken advantage of past food offerings – are
paying it forward by volunteering for the
monthly events.
Another festive food distribution is planned
for December and plans are to continue the
program into 2023.
• We care for each other
• We unleash the power of our combined
collaboration
• We innovate and never lose our
curiosity, we think BIG
• We treat each other and our customers
not by the Golden Rule, but by the
Platinum Rule (we treat others the way
they want to be treated)
During the coming months, the chancellor
will be listening to thoughts, dreams, and
ideas about how to make our UNT System
into a values-driven organization. Together,
we will co-create the future UNT System –
One System, one team working together for
the highest success of our students, their
families, our communities and all our UNT
family.
8 ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022

FALL 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
UNT DALLAS CARUTH POLICE INSTITUTE LAUNCHES TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT PEER
NETWORK TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH, SUICIDE CRISIS IN PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS
During National Suicide Prevention Week
in September, leaders from the UNT Dallas
Caruth Police Institute joined Dallas Police
Chief Eddie Garcia, Senator Royce West
and others to raise awareness of the Texas
Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN),
an innovative, potentially life-saving
resource launched earlier this year. The
UNT Dallas Caruth Police Institute operates
the program, which they helped develop in
partnership with the Texas Commission on
Law Enforcement and the Meadows Mental
Health Policy Institute.
The TLEPN was established in 2021 by the
Texas Legislature in response to a rising
number of officers dying by suicide. In 2019,
the number of officers in the U.S. who died
by suicide was nearly double the number
killed in the line of duty.
First of its kind in the country, the Peer
Network is a statewide program designed
to give every Texas law enforcement
officer access to a trained peer to address
stressors, trauma, fatigue, and other needs
to combat workforce burnout and end
police suicide and self-harm.
Officers seeking assistance will access
Peer Network services via a confidential
phone app, network phone line or through
the regional hub. The app provides both
peers and officers in need of assistance an
immediate and direct connection to support
as well as a link to resources. Services are
free and completely anonymous.
Since its launch in January 2022, 420 peers
across the state have been trained and
registered. With interest, awareness and
trust in the program growing, there have
been 594 potential law enforcement users
that have created an account, and the
network has been utilized 101 times.
COLLEGE OF LAW CONTINUES TO SHINE AS TOP DIVERSE LAW SCHOOL
The UNT Dallas College of Law (UNTD
COL) accepted its first class in 2014 with
a promise to increase access to legal
education to a diverse group of students
seeking to serve the community. The first
class graduated in 2017. During the past
six years, the law school has focused on
graduating lawyers that closely reflect the
community that they will serve. The College
of Law has 597 alumni, 97% of its alumni
are Texas residents, 258 (43%) are people
of color, and 317 (65%) are women. To date,
58 members of the alumni have passed the
bar exam. In the Winter issue of PreLaw
National Jurist magazine, the College of
Law was awarded a #1 National Ranking for
Diversity with over 50% students of color
and women.
In 2017, while under the leadership of
founding Dean, now Dean Emeritus, retired
US District Court Judge Royal Furgeson,
the College of Law received provisional
approval from the American Bar Association.
The College of Law received full approval
from the ABA on February 28, 2022.
ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022
9

FALL 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED
AT FALL TOWN HALL MEETING
UNT Dallas students, faculty and staff members were recognized for their dedication to the university and its mission, and for going the
extra mile in their respective areas of expertise at the October 2022 UNT Dallas Town Hall Meeting.
Brittany Stubblefield-Engram
• 2022 graduate of UNT Dallas
• KERA yearlong Diversity Fellow
Francisco Castellanos
• UNT Dallas Student
• Valedictorian from Emett J. Conrad High School
Virgie Toliver
• UNT Dallas Student
• Valedictorion from Lincoln High School and Humanities/
Communications Magnet
Mara J. Queiroz-Vaughn, Ph.D.
• UNT Dallas Employee
• USCIS Citizenship Ambassador
• One of eight selected in the entire country
The Citizenship Ambassador Initiative was created to support
implementation of President Biden’s Executive Order 14012 to
promote naturalization
Noureen Khan
• UNT Dallas Employee
• Awarded a Fulbright Specialist to Vietnam
Eronia King
• UNT Dallas Employee
• Site Coordinator for the North Texas Food Bank distributions
• Partnership began January 2020 with monthly distributions of
10–15k pounds of food each month
• Hundreds of faculty, staff, students, and community
partner volunteers
• Thanksigivng distribution site and Care Pantry Partnership
Malaisha Cartwright
• UNT Dallas Student
• Finished #13 in the 100 meters at the NAIA Nationals
Shaun Treat
• UNT Dallas Employee
• Dedication and support of the university’s Strategic Plan Efforts
10 ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022

FALL 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
NEW CARE PANTRY AIMS
TO SUPPORT STUDENTS
The Trailblazers Care Pantry is a new resource on campus
for all UNT Dallas students and is managed by the Student
Affairs department. The pantry offers free essentials such
as packaged foods, hygiene products, and more. This UNT Dallas
resource helps counteract food insecurity in students. Students will
be able to focus on their studies and building their future, without
necessities serving as obstacles. The pantry also includes a Career
Closet that provides clothing items for students preparing for
interviews, internships, and formal settings.
Students are welcomed into the Care Pantry to select from a
variety of essential items. Healthy Habit workshops are available to
students as guidance for making nutritional meals. The Care Pantry
also offers Break Bag options which allows students to order premade
bags for easy pick-up.
As a first-time pantry user, an intake form will need to be
completed. The intake form will use the necessary information
to help distribute the best resources and options, showing
individualized support for each student.
The Care Pantry is located on the second floor of the Student
Center past the Collaboration Stairs. Hours of operation are:
Monday and Tuesday 3 – 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday 10
a.m. – 2 p.m. Special hours of operation for Fall 2022 are every third
Friday of the month noon – 3 p.m. and every third Saturday of the
month 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
There are several ways that individuals can donate to the Care
Pantry. Donations can consist of food, clothing (professional attire
is appreciated), toiletries or money. Employees and alumni can also
donate time to the Care Pantry by volunteering. Please visit the
Care Pantry website to make monetary donations.
For questions regarding the Trailblazers Care Pantry, please contact:
carepantry@untdallas.edu. or untdallas.edu/sa
UNT Dallas expands distance learning
offerings with new online interstate
programs. All three programs are available
100% online to students in any state in
the U.S.
Master’s of Management
A 30-credit hour program available in 8-week
format and meant to help those with little or
no previous business experience prepare for
positions in leadership and management.
Undergraduate Certificate in Dealership
Management and Operations
A 21-credit hour program is meant to prepare
students for management positions in
dealership-related organizations. Students
are also prepared to take the Automotive
Financial Insurance Professional exam.
Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation
A 15-credit hour program is meant to
prepare students to acquire professional
credentialing as mediators.
For more information on our new online programs, please visit untdallas.edu/online.
ON THE MOVE | FALL 2022
11

UNT Dallas celebrated
homecoming in
October with a week
of student, employee
and alumni events.
AN OFFICIAL UNT DALLAS PUBLICATION
@UNTDallas
FALL BREAK &
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER 24 – 25
THANKSGIVING BREAK
DECEMBER 2
TOWN HALL
DECEMBER 14
COMMENCEMENT
DECEMBER 16
NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK
MOBILE PANTRY
DECEMBER 26 – 30
WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK
SUPPORT FUTURE TRAILBLAZERS
DESIGNATE YOUR GIFT
Your gift to the University of North Texas at Dallas can
support university scholarships for students facing
economic challenges, or you may directly support an
individual college or school:
• School of Business
• School of Education
• School of Human Services
• School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
• College of Law
PLANNED GIVING
Planned gifts — such as bequests, trusts,
income-producing gifts, and gifts of assets support
UNT Dallas while benefiting your financial situation.
WAYS TO GIVE
To make a gift or for more information:
• Visit: Giving.UNTDallas.edu
• Email: Advancement@UNTDallas.edu
• Call: 972-338-1100
If you prefer, you can send a gift to:
UNT Dallas Foundation
Office of Advancement
7300 University Hills Blvd., Room 344
Dallas, Texas 75241