 |
Chuck Schroeder |
Based at the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Lincoln and reporting to Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska vice president for agriculture and natural resources, the Rural Futures Institute will engage and draw on the talents and resources of all four NU campuses – UNMC, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
It will help address unique challenges and opportunities facing rural communities and individuals, including those related to entrepreneurship and innovation, talent attraction and development, technology, rural health, workforce development and community planning, rural education and others.
Schroeder said he’s excited to work with Nebraskans across the state and others to help rethink and revitalize rural life, with a particular emphasis on making rural communities places where young people can make their lives.
Schroeder currently is president and executive director of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, where he’s worked since 2002. Before that, he was chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for more than six years. He also served as executive vice president and director of development at the University of Nebraska Foundation and director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
Schroeder was with his family’s company, the Schroeder Cattle Co., for about 30 years. He is a graduate of UNL, where he studied animal science and business and production options.
“Chuck Schroeder is the perfect choice as founding executive director to launch and build this bold new program for the University of Nebraska,” Green said. “His unique combination of leadership experiences, coupled with his deep roots in and passion for rural America, will allow him to instantly be a transformational leader for the Rural Futures Institute.”
University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken said, “We are very fortunate to have recruited Chuck Schroeder back to Nebraska to serve as founding executive director of the Rural Futures Institute. His deep experience, talents and passion for rural development make him an excellent fit to lead the institute through its early stages.
“With Chuck on board, I’m tremendously excited about the potential of the Rural Futures Institute to become the center for research and implementation of strategies that benefit Nebraska first but also rural communities everywhere.”