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Connecting with others, serving America A Q&A with Ike Umunnah, UND Law ’12 and high-level Biden Administration appointee.

From the U.S. Army to Target to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Ike Umunnah has built a prolific career focused on connecting and serving others. Umunnah, who graduated from the University of North Dakota with a law degree in 2012, credits the UND School of Law with many opportunities he received after leaving Grand Forks, such as attending Harvard, where he obtained a master’s degree in policy and management. He also left his mark on UND by founding the Black Law Student Association.

President Joe Biden appointed Umunnah to lead the EDA’s Office of Public Affairs within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The role is an opportunity to chart a sustainable way out of the pandemic-induced economic hardships faced by many Americans.

Umunnah talked with UND Today about his new position on the senior management team at EDA, his career in public affairs and politics, and his time at UND.

Ike Umunnah, '12

You started your job on Jan. 20, 2021. How has it been so far?

It has been fantastic! I am fortunate enough to have a great team working with me at the Economic Development Administration. The people at the Commerce Department are dedicated public servants and get up every day to do good things for the American people.

What attracted you to the field of communications and public affairs?

I have always had a passion for connecting with people and sharing stories, and making connections. You could say it was inevitable given that public affairs speaks to my strengths and allows me to be people-centric. I am grateful to have a fulfilling and purpose-driven role.

Throughout your career, you have served on the boards of several nonprofits and community-focused organizations. Why is it important for you to engage in such organizations?

I believe in paying it forward. This country has given me some amazing opportunities that could not be possible anywhere else in the world. I came from humble beginnings, had the honor and privilege of serving my country in uniform, and later was able to meet some incredible individuals through giving back with organizations like Goodwill Industries and the Milwaukee Academy of Sciences.

Why did you want to get a law degree?

Being from Virginia, the Constitution and our nation’s founding always loomed large in our collective zeitgeist, not to mention the public-school curriculum. I knew I wanted to be involved in politics in some way. Law seemed to be a logical next step and one that I knew I was passionate about. In a way, I guess you could say I wanted to follow in the founding fathers’ paths in helping to shape America.

Why did you choose to attend the UND School of Law?

As you know, UND is the smallest public law school in the country, and so I knew I would not get the same degree of individualized attention anywhere else. Another factor was UND’s commitment to supporting veterans. This made me feel like UND was a place where I would be valued and respected.

How has your law degree helped you in your career?

It gave me the ability to better use my critical analysis skills in formulating strategy and in dealings with people. It also instilled in me a sensitivity and greater appreciation for risk and risk avoidance and its place at the core of corporate and organizational planning and performance. After all, law school doesn’t teach you the law, it teaches you how to think in a better way, and I have put those skills to use throughout my career.

At UND, you founded the Black Law Student Association. Tell us about this experience and the importance of starting a charter.

When I arrived at UND Law, it was not as diverse as some other places, but UND did make me feel welcome. It was and continues to be a great school, but there was no diversity program or organization for people of color at the Law School.

My goal in founding the Black Law Student Association was simple – to let others like me know that they had a support system at UND. I wanted to make sure that others like me had a place to come and belong and thrive. I wanted African American students to have a sense of community and have a launching pad to build our professional network. We succeeded in many ways, and the Black Law Student Association remains one of my proudest accomplishments.

What is the most important career advice you have ever been given?

When I was in the U.S. Army, my drill sergeant told us to always be on the far side of right. Always be so clearly in the right, both morally and ethically, that you are beyond reproach and never occupy the gray area. I take that advice seriously and apply it to how I lead my team. At EDA, I want us all to ask ourselves: “Are we doing right by our people who work here and the American people at large?”

What motivates you?

Getting up and doing the best job I can for the American people.

What makes you proud?

It makes me proud when I see young people succeed. Not just for them to succeed, but to develop and do better than the generation before them.

Any parting words of wisdom for current UND students?

I would say that you can be confident that you made a great choice and you are attending one of the very best institutions, and from here you can go anywhere. From UND, I attended Harvard, entered corporate America, and received a presidential appointment for a senior role in the U.S. government. None of those things would be possible had it not been for my time at UND, the outstanding professors, and the strong community. It is the best, most supportive launching pad anyone could hope for.

This interview was conducted by Dima Williams from UND Today and has been edited for clarity and length. Read her full interview with Ike Umunnah at blogs.UND.edu/UND-today.