James Roark
(308) 865-8209
Ken Nikels, University of Nebraska at Kearney Dean of Graduate Studies, has also been appointed assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs.
UNK senior vice chancellor for academic affairs James Roark praised Dr. Nikels’ abilities and dedicated service to the university. “Dr. Nikels has earned the respect of everyone as Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. He has been an effective advocate for our graduate program and for student-faculty collaborative scholarship. I look forward to working with him in this new, expanded role,” Roark said.
Dr. Nikels joined the UNK faculty in 1971 and was chairman of the Department of Psychology from 1979 to 1983. He has been the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research since 1987. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hiram Scott College, a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychobiology from the University of Nebraska. His current professional national affiliations include the Council of Teachers of Undergraduate Psychology where he served as president from 1984-85, Council on Undergraduate Research where he served as councilor from 1994-2000, and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. He is in his twelfth year as secretary for the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association.
Dr. Nikels has numerous publications in professional journals and presentations at national and regional conferences. He was project director For UNK’s Title III: Strengthening Institutions grant and will direct the recently received NCUR/Lancy grant on “Sustaining the Platte River.”
