Graduate Studies Interim Dean

Kendra K. Schmid, PhD, serves as the interim dean of graduate students and interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, following the selection of H. Dele Davies, MD, as interim chancellor. She was previously the executive associate dean of graduate studies and assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Dr. Schmid joined UNMC in 2007 after completing her PhD in statistics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and currently is a professor in the UNMC Department of Biostatistics. Dr. Schmid has served in university-level administrative roles, including overseeing the Office of Institutional Research, serving as assistant dean for graduate studies, directing the Office of Accreditation and Assessment, and serving as UNMC’s academic liaison to the Higher Learning Commission.

Her previous administrative appointments in the UNMC College of Public Health include two years as interim chair of the biostatistics department, one year as interim associate dean of academic and student affairs, and five years as director of master’s programs.

Dr. Schmid's research portfolio includes leading or collaborating on more than 40 funded projects studying a variety of health disorders, authoring and coauthoring numerous peer-reviewed publications and working with international companies on commissioned research projects.

Her work has been recognized by numerous media organizations, and she has received awards for her efforts in research, teaching and service. She was the 2019 recipient of the UNMC Research in Education Scholar, one of the highest education-related awards conferred by UNMC. Dr. Schmid has held national roles through participation on data safety monitoring committees and institutional review boards, and she currently serves on the board of directors for the American Statistical Association.

In addition to an MS and PhD in statistics, Dr. Schmid also holds a Master of Arts degree in educational administration, with an emphasis on higher education administration.