Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What happens when leadership finds you before you’re looking for it? In this installment of the 18:83 Speaker Series, Dr. Patrick O’Neill, Interim Dean of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, shares his journey from "newly minted PhD" to a cornerstone of University of North Dakota leadership.
In a talk titled "Tales of an Accidental Leader," Dr. O’Neill reflects on nearly four decades of academic and administrative experience. With humor (and a few warnings about dad jokes), he breaks down the pivotal "accidents" and "incidents" that shaped his career—from being begged to lead a department to the high-stakes world of university accreditation.
### Key Takeaways from Dr. O'Neill:
Interviews Matter: Even when you think the job is yours (or you aren't sure you want it), preparation is the difference between a "6/10" and an "11/10" effort.
Answer the Call: Leadership often starts with a simple willingness to help when others are in need.
The Power of Fortitude: Doing good without wavering, even when facing difficult decisions or opposition.
The "CEO Mood" Factor: How cheerfulness and joy from a leader can transform the productivity and culture of an entire organization.
Don't Hang 'Em Up: If you’re going to say no, do it quickly so the mission can move forward.
### About the Speaker:
Dr. Patrick O'Neill earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Boston College in 1987. Over his 40-year tenure at UND, he has served as a Professor, Economics Department Chair, Associate Dean for Academics, and MBA Program Director. He currently leads the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration as Interim Dean.
### About the 18:83 Speaker Series:
The 18:83 Speaker Series, hosted by the Director of Leadership Development, Mike Wozniak, features campus and community leaders sharing leadership insights in exactly 18 minutes and 83 seconds—a nod to the year the University of North Dakota was founded.
#UND #Leadership #1883Series #NistlerCollege #HigherEd Leadership #BusinessEducation #UniversityOfNorthDakota
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Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
TikTok: tiktok.com/@uofnorthdakota
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofnorthdakota
What happens when leadership finds you before you’re looking for it? In this installment of the 18:83 Speaker Series, Dr. Patrick O’Neill, Interim Dean of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, shares his journey from "newly minted PhD" to a cornerstone of University of North Dakota leadership.
In a talk titled "Tales of an Accidental Leader," Dr. O’Neill reflects on nearly four decades of academic and administrative experience. With humor (and a few warnings about dad jokes), he breaks down the pivotal "accidents" and "incidents" that shaped his career—from being begged to lead a department to the high-stakes world of university accreditation.
### Key Takeaways from Dr. O'Neill:
Interviews Matter: Even when you think the job is yours (or you aren't sure you want it), preparation is the difference between a "6/10" and an "11/10" effort.
Answer the Call: Leadership often starts with a simple willingness to help when others are in need.
The Power of Fortitude: Doing good without wavering, even when facing difficult decisions or opposition.
The "CEO Mood" Factor: How cheerfulness and joy from a leader can transform the productivity and culture of an entire organization.
Don't Hang 'Em Up: If you’re going to say no, do it quickly so the mission can move forward.
### About the Speaker:
Dr. Patrick O'Neill earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Boston College in 1987. Over his 40-year tenure at UND, he has served as a Professor, Economics Department Chair, Associate Dean for Academics, and MBA Program Director. He currently leads the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration as Interim Dean.
### About the 18:83 Speaker Series:
The 18:83 Speaker Series, hosted by the Director of Leadership Development, Mike Wozniak, features campus and community leaders sharing leadership insights in exactly 18 minutes and 83 seconds—a nod to the year the University of North Dakota was founded.
#UND #Leadership #1883Series #NistlerCollege #HigherEd Leadership #BusinessEducation #UniversityOfNorthDakota
---
Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
TikTok: tiktok.com/@uofnorthdakota
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofnorthdakota
