Buffett Early Childhood Institute merging with NWRA
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska will grow its research capabilities by merging with the National Workforce Registry Alliance, an organization that supports 46 statewide early childhood workforce registries with 2.8 million members.
The merger will go into effect Jan. 1.
The NWRA, based in Washington, D.C., will retain its staff and continue its programmatic work but operate under the Buffett Institute, which will provide additional operational and administrative support, financial stability and a connection to the University of Nebraska System. The NWRA will gain access to world-class researchers and early childhood policy experts at the Buffett Institute and throughout the University of Nebraska.
“Understanding the needs and composition of the nation’s early childhood workforce has never been more important than it is today,” said Buffett Institute Executive Director Walter Gilliam, PhD, who also serves as a professor with the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute. “With this partnership, the Buffett Institute and the University of Nebraska will have access to data-rich resources that will drive new early childhood research and publications.”
-Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Lankford is new assistant nursing dean
Derek Lankford joined the UNMC College of Nursing as its new assistant dean of finance and operations. He began on Oct. 14.
Lankford, who previously was with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, holds a master of business administration degree from the University of South Dakota and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and military science from South Dakota State University. He has experience in accounting, economic development, training management, business planning and analysis, strategic planning, data analytics and risk management.
Lankford is a captain with the South Dakota National Guard and has served in the Army National Guard for 14 years.
UNMC retirements
The UNMC Department of Human Resources announced two new retirements in October and November. They are:
- Betrail Smith, UNMC College of Nursing, retired Oct. 19 (start date Nov. 28, 2007).
- Robert Morford, business and finance, retired Nov. 5 (start date Feb. 6, 2017).