KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska is moving forward with a national search for the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., announced today.
With students and faculty back on campus for the fall semester and able to fully participate in the search process, Gold reconvened the search committee to formally charge them with finding the next leader to steer UNK into its next chapter.
“UNK has extraordinary opportunities to change the lives of students and grow Nebraska, particularly our rural communities, well into the future,” Gold said. “I’m confident we will find the right person to lead UNK forward. This is an important search for the University of Nebraska and our state, and I look forward to engaging with the extended UNK community every step of the way.
“We are fortunate that we can take the time we need to get this right, thanks to the steady and capable leadership of interim Chancellor Charlie Bicak. I continue to be grateful to Charlie for keeping UNK moving forward through this transition period.”
The 17-member search committee is now being chaired by David Jackson, interim executive vice president and provost of the University of Nebraska System. The committee also includes the chancellors of the other University of Nebraska campuses: Rodney Bennett of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Joanne Li of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Dele Davies of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Other committee members, representing UNK faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members, were announced earlier this spring.
The committee is being assisted by CarterBaldwin, an executive search firm.
Gold said next steps in the search process will include public listening sessions this fall to gather input from the UNK and Kearney communities on what the university should look for in the next chancellor. Details on the listening sessions will be announced when they are scheduled.
Following the listening sessions, the search firm and search committee will work together with the President’s Office to develop a job description and begin inviting nominations and applications.
UNK Chancellor Search Advisory Committee Members
David Jackson – Committee Chair, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, University of Nebraska System
Rodney Bennett – Chancellor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dele Davies – Interim Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Joanne Li – Chancellor, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Kelly Bartling – Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Jerry Catlett – President, Bruning Bank
Brooke Envick – Associate Dean of Faculty Strategic Initiatives, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Christopher Exstrom – Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Brad Green – Associate Director of Financial Aid, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Zane Grizzle – Student Body Vice President, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Brenda Jensen – City Manager, City of Kearney
Avery Laing – Undergraduate Assistant, Office for Intercultural Engagement and Leadership, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Wendy Schardt – Director of Student Health and Counseling, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Sam Schroeder – UNK Student Regent, University of Nebraska Board of Regents
Paul Twigg – Dean, Arts and Sciences, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Tom Tye II – Tye & Rowling, PC LLO
Nita Unruh – Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, University of Nebraska at Kearney
