By TODD GOTTULA
UNK Communicatons
KEARNEY – Two University of Nebraska at Kearney employees were among Kearney’s first Inspire Award winners recognizing outstanding women in business, education, health care and community service.
Dr. Julie Shaffer, UNK senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, received the Excellence in Education award. Renae Zimmer, UNK director of Student Engagement and Leadership, earned the Community Partner award.
The inaugural Inspire Awards Luncheon was held at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. The program celebrates women who lead, innovate and serve their communities, highlighting role models who inspire future generations to reach their full potential.
Dr. Julie Shaffer – Excellence in Education
Shaffer is recognized as a scholar, mentor and visionary whose leadership has strengthened academic programs and student success across UNK. A microbiologist by training, she began at UNK as a faculty member, became a professor and department chair, and now serves as senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Her research includes 19 peer-reviewed publications, a book chapter and more than $1 million in research funding. She has led the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and the Missouri Valley Branch of the American Society for Microbiology and helped create UNK’s Summer Student Research Program and support the NIH-funded INBRE initiative.
Shaffer has mentored dozens of students – 15 of whom published journal articles under her guidance – and championed programs encouraging women to pursue careers in STEM.
Colleagues describe her as hardworking, honest and kind, setting high expectations through her own conduct.
Renae Zimmer – Community Partner
Zimmer helps students discover their talents and develop as leaders through her work as UNK’s director of Student Engagement and Leadership and as a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach.
Her community involvement extends well beyond campus. Zimmer has served with the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, the Buffalo County and Nebraska State Suicide Prevention coalitions, PEO Chapter IX, Chaperone Kearney, First Lutheran Church, and Leadership Kearney and Leadership UNK.
In 2014 she and her husband, Dave, co-founded the Central Nebraska LOSS Team, which supports families grieving a loss by suicide and earned the CHI Healthy Community Advocacy Award.
Nominators praised her selflessness, purpose and resilience, calling her a true mentor who helps others grow.