By TODD GOTTULA
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney has selected Jesslyn R. Hollar as the next dean of the College of Education.
Her appointment was announced by Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Julie Shaffer and is pending approval by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. She will begin her duties July 1.
Hollar currently serves as department chair and associate professor of teacher education, where she oversees 28 full-time faculty and directors.
“UNK has a rich legacy of preparing educators for Nebraska’s schools and communities,” said Hollar. “I am excited to build upon that legacy as we prepare students for people-first and community-forward professions, supporting the mental, physical and intellectual well-being of citizens in Nebraska. Thriving communities in Nebraska are the direct result of collective investment in preparing young people for these professions. Our graduates return to their hometowns with a desire to do good work.”
Prior to joining UNK, Hollar held faculty and leadership roles at Marist College, Southeast Missouri State University and Edgewood College, with responsibilities in educator preparation, assessment, accreditation and program development. Earlier in her career, she served as program director for alternative pathways to teaching at Central Washington University, where she expanded enrollment and developed clinical and instructional programming for future educators.
Her work emphasizes collaborative governance, community partnerships and data-informed improvement in higher education, with a focus on strengthening teacher education programs and advancing learning experiences.
“Beyond the college’s direct returns to Nebraska’s communities, we have fantastic faculty who are passionate teacher-scholars in the College of Education,” said Hollar. “As we embark on our journey toward extraordinary, I look forward to empowering faculty and staff in the College of Education to enhance our programs, teaching and scholarship in partnership with the communities and students we serve.”
Hollar earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction (teacher education) from the University of Washington, focusing on policymaking in teacher education and social and cultural foundations. She also holds a master’s degree in English education from Edgewood College and a bachelor’s degree in English and international affairs from Lafayette College.
“Dr. Hollar brings a strong record of leadership in educator preparation and a clear commitment to student success,” Shaffer said. “She is a thoughtful, collaborative leader who understands the evolving needs of schools and communities across Nebraska. Her focus on program quality, partnerships and continuous improvement will position the College of Education for continued success.”
UNK’s College of Education includes the departments of Teacher Education; Kinesiology and Sport Sciences; Communication Disorders; Counseling, School Psychology and Family Science; and Educational Administration. It prepares students for careers in teaching, athletic training, exercise science, communication disorders, counseling and human services, with graduate pathways in areas such as speech-language pathology, school psychology and clinical mental health counseling.
Hollar replaces Mark Reid, who is transitioning to a faculty position after serving as the college’s dean for six years.