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University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen today announced the appointment of Dustin “Dusty” Newton as the director of Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions, effective March 31.
In making the announcement, Chancellor Kristensen said of Newton: “He brings many strengths to this new position, including proven budget and personnel management skills, extensive experience directing recruitment outreach operations, an extraordinary work ethic, and the respect and support of the entire network of high school counselors that is so important to future success in recruiting undergraduate students to UNK.
“In addition, he has strengthened important partnerships in our campus-wide recruitment efforts, collaborating with academic colleges and departments, students, friends in the Kearney community, and diverse staff offices, including UNK marketing, the Honors Program, Financial Aid and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.”
Newton has served as interim director of the Office of Admissions since 2004. He rose to that position through a series of successive appointments at UNK. He began as an admissions counselor, then was named assistant director and then associate director. Before coming to UNK in 1998, he was assistant director of Admissions for Midland Lutheran College.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human resource management from Hastings College, and the master’s degree in school counseling, with student affairs emphasis, from UNK.
Newton is active in campus, community and professional endeavors, currently serving as chair of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee, president of the Nebraska Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and president of the UNK Staff Senate.
“My colleagues and I are pleased to welcome Dusty to the UNK administrative team,” Chancellor Kristensen said. “We look forward to working with him closely in the years ahead.”
The chancellor also expressed appreciation to Mary Sommers, director of Financial Aid, who chaired the screening committee, and to the members of the committee “…for helping to bring this important search to a successful conclusion.”
Newton, a 1991 graduate of Arapahoe High School, is the son of Mary and Bob Hurst of Arapahoe.
