Kendra Schmid, PhD, named to new graduate studies role

Kendra Schmid, PhD, has been named the executive associate dean for graduate studies, effective May 8.

Dr. Schmid will assume the role following the retirement of Pam Carmines, PhD. She will support Dele Davies, MD, dean of graduate studies and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, in leading a team at graduate studies that will include others in new roles:

• Karen Gould, PhD, will become assistant dean for graduate student success and campus-wide director of assessment.
• Matt Zimmerman, PhD, has been appointed director of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS) program.
• Dan Monaghan, PhD, has been appointed associate IGPBS program director and director of IGPBS Strategic Initiatives.

"Under the leadership of Dr. Carmines, graduate studies at UNMC has achieved a number of excellent milestones," Dr. Davies said. "As Dr. Schmid assumes the role of executive associate dean, with a strong team in place behind her, graduate studies is positioned to continue to build on our mission of being the best place in the nation for the training of graduate students through exceptional education and research programs, faculty mentoring and professional skills development. It has also enabled us to align members of our team with the skillsets that maximally benefits our students and faculty."

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, congratulated Dr. Schmid and the new team of leaders. He said he was excited for the future of graduate studies.

"If one thing has become clear during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that the need for accomplished, inquisitive and rigorous scientist and researchers is ongoing and vital," Dr. Gold said. "We know that Dr. Schmid, with the help of Dr. Gould, Dr. Zimmerman and Dr. Monaghan, will provide the leadership to support our graduate students in their efforts and the innovation to ensure our graduate studies programs and curriculums continue to expand and improve." 

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. In addition to her faculty position, Dr. Schmid has served in university-level administrative roles as the assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs, a role that includes overseeing the Office of Institutional Research, directing the Office of Accreditation and Assessment and serving as UNMC’s academic liaison to the Higher Learning Commission. She will retain that role as she moves into her new position.

Karen Gould, PhD

"Dr. Carmines certainly leaves big shoes to fill, and I have been fortunate to work alongside her over the last four years as assistant dean," Dr. Schmid said. "I’m excited about supporting our graduate students in a new way in this role and working with Drs. Gould, Zimmerman and Monaghan as they take on new responsibilities."

Dr. Gould, who has held many graduate education roles during her time at UNMC, said she is excited about the opportunity to have a broader positive impact on graduate education at the university.

"Working with graduate students and helping them succeed and navigate challenges is the most rewarding part of my work as a faculty member," Dr. Gould said. "That really is what sparks my passion for graduate education and led to my decision to take on more leadership roles in graduate education at UNMC."

Matthew Zimmerman, PhD

In her new role, she is interested in working on initiatives to support graduate student wellness, professional development and career counseling and the enhancement of UNMC’s graduate studies pipeline and pathway programs. She also will oversee assessment programs on campus and support the research integrity office as the deputy officer.

Dr. Zimmerman has served since 2015 as director of the Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine Doctoral Program, one of the seven sub-programs in the IGPBS. He said he was looking forward to his new role.

"I am excited about this opportunity," Dr. Zimmerman said. "I look forward to working with IGPBS sub-program directors, staff and faculty mentors to ensure we continue to provide the best education and research environments for our students so they can achieve their individual goals and successes." 

Dan Monaghan, PhD

Among his many educational accomplishments, Dr. Monaghan established UNMC’s common-entry PhD program, the Biomedical Research Training Program (BRTP), in 2000 and has served as the program’s only director. The program’s creation led to a greater than three-fold increase in domestic PhD students, with half the levels of student attrition, and significantly increased minority student recruitment. 

"I am looking forward to being able to focus on new initiatives important for the growth of graduate training at UNMC," he said. "There has been significant growth in our training programs and a focus on improving their quality. Yet further improvements are possible, and I find that exciting."

Dr. Davies thanked Kathy Hanna, PhD, and Joyce Solheim, PhD, who oversaw the search for the executive associate dean, as well as the committee members — Carol Casey, PhD, Justin Mott, MD, PhD, Nicole Rodriguez, Laurey Steinke, PhD, Jim Wahl, PhD, and graduate student representative Pranita Atri.

Dr. Davies thanked Dr. Carmines for her excellent work as part of the graduate studies team.

"Dr. Carmines has been an innovative and committed educator and partner as we worked together to grow graduate studies at UNMC," Dr. Davies said. "Although she’s certainly earned her retirement, we will miss her."