Regents to establish, appoint presidential search committees

At its meeting on March 21, the Board of Regents will consider agenda items to establish and appoint the initial members of two committees to assist with the national search for the next president of the University of Nebraska. Both committees, the Presidential Search Outreach and Advisory Committee and the Presidential Search Screening and Selection Committee, will be comprised of representatives of key constituencies with which the NU president interacts, including students, faculty and administrators, supporters and donors, the public, and members of the Board of Regents. The committees will work with consultants from Isaacson, Miller, the executive search firm, to help identify, recruit, assess and recommend candidates for the university presidency.

Proposed members

The Presidential Search Outreach and Advisory Committee will be co-chaired by Regents Tim Clare of Lincoln and Bob Phares of North Platte. Other proposed members are:

  • Renaisa Anthony, assistant professor of health promotion and deputy director of the Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, UNMC
  • Gail Baker, dean of the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, UNO
  • Juan Casas, associate professor, UNO Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Hal Daub, Board of Regents, District 8, Omaha
  • Dele Davies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies, UNMC
  • Helen Feller, president of Churn Thoroughbred Farm, Inc., Wisner
  • Ronnie Green, vice president of agriculture, University of Nebraska and vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UN-L
  • Barry Kennedy, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lincoln
  • Kevin Knudson, student regent-elect, U N-L
  • John Massey, director and president, J.G. Elliott Insurance Center and member of the Board of Directors of the University of Nebraska Foundation and Foundation Trustee, Scottsbluff
  • Dawn Mollenkopf, associate professor, department of teacher education, UNK College of Education
  • Joseph Oravecz, dean of the Division of Student Affairs, UNK
  • Tonn Ostergard, president and CEO of Crete Carrier Corporation and chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Nebraska Foundation, Lincoln
  • Harvey Perlman, chancellor, UN-L
  • Jim Pillen, Board of Regents, District 3, Columbus
  • Connor Schulte, student regent-elect, UNK
  • Judith Walker, Aaron Douglas Professor and chairperson of department of mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, UN-L
  • Charles (Chuck) Wilson, retired physician and former member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, Lincoln
  • Gail Walling Yanney, retired physician, community volunteer and philanthropist, Omaha

The Presidential Search Screening and Selection Committee will chaired by Regent Howard Hawks of Omaha. Other proposed members are:

  • Susie Buffett, chairman, Sherwood Foundation, Omaha

    • Jeffrey Gold, M.D., chancellor, UNMC

      • Brian Hastings, president and CEO, University of Nebraska Foundation, Lincoln

        • Jordan Koch, student regent-elect, UNO

          • Marjorie Kostelnik, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, UN-L

            • Steve Nelson, president, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Axtell

              • Krupa Savalia, student regent, UNMC

                • Rob Schafer, Board of Regents, District 5, Beatrice

                  • Kent Schroeder, Board of Regents, District 6, Kearney

                    • Julie Shaffer, professor of biology, UNK College of Natural and Social Sciences, University of Nebraska at Kearney

                      • Thomas Warren, president, Urban League, Omaha

                        • Bob Whitehouse, Board of Regents, District 4, Papillion

                         

Chairman of the Board of Regents Howard Hawks said nominations for the committees were sought from the student regents, faculty senate presidents, campus chancellors, University of Nebraska Foundation leadership and members of the board. "The Board of Regents is interested in increasing the involvement of key stakeholders in the process that will lead to the identification and selection of the next president of the University of Nebraska," Hawks said. "This is a critical leadership position, not only for the university but for the entire State of Nebraska, and the search will benefit from enhanced participation by more constituency representatives." The Presidential Search Outreach and Advisory Committee will work with the professional search firm to solicit stakeholder input on issues facing the university and qualities the university should seek in the next president, conduct a broad and inclusive search, seek nominations and applications for the position, and determine how well potential candidates meet criteria that will be established by the Board. The Presidential Search Screening and Selection Committee will review and evaluate application materials, select and interview leading prospects, conduct and/or review reference checks, and recommend to the Board of Regents no fewer than four candidates who agree to become public finalists for the position. Final selection of the next president will be made by the Board of Regents following university visits and public forums by the finalists that will provide opportunities for Nebraska citizens and university constituents to meet the candidates and provide feedback to the board. The Outreach and Advisory Committee is expected to convene soon, and work over the spring into the summer. The Screening and Selection Committee likely will begin its work in the summer and continue into the fall.