Jokela named interim director of alumni affairs

Roxanna Jokela

Roxanna Jokela has been named interim director of alumni affairs effective today.

Jokela, director of the Rural Health Education Network (RHEN) at UNMC, will step in for Kim Cuda, said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs at UNMC. Cuda left the medical center earlier this month.

Jokela will continue her RHEN duties while serving as interim alumni director, Bartee said.

“Kim did a wonderful job as alumni director and I’m very confident that Roxanna will seamlessly step in and lead the department as we search for a new director,” Bartee said. “As RHEN director, Roxanna has displayed the leadership and relationship building skills that are needed to affectively head our alumni efforts.”

“As RHEN director, Roxanna has displayed the leadership and relationship building skills that are needed to affectively head our alumni efforts.” Bob Bartee

A rigorous search will be conducted to find a new director of alumni affairs, Bartee said.

Jokela has been director of RHEN since the program’s founding in 1993 and has overseen the development of several innovative initiatives and programs that have garnered national prominence for UNMC.

Among these developments are the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP), eighth grade science meets, rural training tracks and health career promotion programs.

RHOP was established to draw more students to UNMC from rural areas. Program participants are granted admission into UNMC programs right out of high school pending their successful completion of undergraduate course work at certain state colleges.

“My heart is still very much with our efforts to enhance health care in our rural areas,” Jokela said. “But this opportunity will give me a chance to learn more about our alumni in Nebraska and across the nation.

“I also see this as an opportunity to see how UNMC can more closely engage the interests of our alumni who practice in rural areas.”