Dr. Patricia Cruzeiro
chair and professor, Department of Educational Administration, 308.865.8844 or cruzeiropa@unk.edu
Dr. Jeffrey West, executive director of Educational Service Unit (ESU 13) in Scottsbluff, recently received the University of Nebraska at Kearney Leaders in Education and Service (UNKLES) Award.
“Individuals selected for this award are graduates of the educational administration program at UNK, and have been recognized for their diligence and observed success as school administrators,” said Dr. Patricia Cruzeiro, chair of the UNK Department of Educational Administration. Nominations for the award come from previous UNKLES award winners and focus on distinguished service in the administrative field.
In addition to serving as executive director of ESU 13, Dr. West chairs the Panhandle P16 Steering Committee and is an adjunct instructor at UNK for selected educational administration master’s and specialist courses. Dr. West has served on the Leadership Development Committee for the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, the EducationQuest Advisory Council, Nebraska Department of Education’s Summit on Career Readiness, School/Community Partnership for Essential Finance, and as the liaison to the Nebraska Coordinating Council.
Dr. West earned a bachelor’s degree in education, and master’s and specialist degrees in educational administration from UNK. He holds a doctoral degree in education administration from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He began his career in education as a teacher of science and mathematics at Gering Junior High School. His first administrative position was in Harvard as the 7 – 12th grade principal. From Harvard, he went on to serve as the principal of a Sidney Middle School before becoming superintendent of Chappell schools and Central City schools.
“Jeff West has provided leadership in each school setting where he has been involved, most especially from his role as superintendent in Central City to now the administrative role in ESU 13,” said Dr. Pat Roschewski, director of statewide assessment for the Nebraska Department of Education. “Jeff brings a calm listening ear, decisive action, and a sense of mission and direction. He is deserving of this leadership award.”
