The Embrace N.H. Bus Tour gave UNH leaders a chance to see the university’s progress on one of its four strategic priorities – embracing the state of New Hampshire through education, partnerships, research and outreach programming tailored to diverse sectors and regions of the Granite State.

“It was an amazing opportunity to connect with folks around the state who engage with parts of UNH, whether that be through students, researchers or alumni,” La Valley says. “For them to have the opportunity to engage one-on-one with the leader of the university, that matters. And in a small state like New Hampshire, it really matters a lot.”

President Dean announced the Embrace N.H. priority as part of The Future of UNH strategic plan in 2019. While the university’s founding mission is rooted in serving the state, the plan pledges to redouble UNH’s efforts to “work hard to make everyone in New Hampshire incredibly proud of their flagship public university.” The bus trip allowed UNH leaders to see the plan at work and up close.

“It gave us a chance to see some of the people who are doing heroic things around New Hampshire on a day-to-day basis,” Dean says. “Operating a regional hospital in Littleton despite a shortage of nurses; being able to fight some of the challenges of climate change with oyster farming; reinvigorating a town or city, such as in Rochester or Franklin. We learned so much about the great things people are doing around New Hampshire.”