University of Nebraska System President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, sent this message to the University of Nebraska community on Tuesday, April 22, on the UNK chancellor search.
I am pleased to announce that after a thorough and extensive search, Neal H. Schnoor, PhD, has been named as the priority candidate for the position of Chancellor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Dr. Schnoor brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education, with a proven track record of driving academic excellence, fostering regional engagement and enhancing student success. His deep Nebraska roots, including his prior service at UNK as both a faculty member and senior administrator, position him uniquely to lead the campus into its next chapter. As a first-generation college graduate, he has firsthand experience of the transformative power of education, and he is passionate about expanding access to higher education for students in Nebraska and beyond.
Since 2021, Dr. Schnoor has served as President of Northern State University in South Dakota, where he led the development of a five-year strategic plan, implemented innovative academic programs and secured significant legislative funding for campus facilities. Under his leadership, NSU has made remarkable progress in areas such as enrollment growth, private fundraising and community engagement — accomplishments that will serve him well as he leads UNK forward.
Dr. Schnoor is committed to advancing UNK’s mission to provide affordable and transformative education, particularly in areas like rural health and wellness, arts and culture, and economic development. As part of the 30-day public vetting process, he will visit the UNK campus and engage with students, faculty, staff and the broader Kearney community. Details regarding his campus visit will be shared soon, and I encourage you to participate and submit your feedback.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the UNK Chancellor Search Advisory Committee for their time, dedication and invaluable contributions throughout this process. Their thoughtful deliberations have played a critical role in identifying an exceptional candidate to lead the campus.
I am confident that Dr. Schnoor’s collaborative leadership style, strategic vision and passion for higher education make him an outstanding choice to serve as UNK’s next Chancellor. You can learn more about Dr. Schnoor and the Chancellor search process by visiting the UNK chancellor search webpage.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the University of Nebraska.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey P. Gold, MD
President, University of Nebraska System