Presidential search listening session set for campus Friday

Listening sessions will be held Friday on the UNMC Omaha campus for students, faculty and staff, alumni and members of the public concerning the search for a new University of Nebraska president.

Current President Hank Bounds, Ph.D., is stepping down in August after four years at the helm. The board has named Susan Fritz, Ph.D., NU’s executive vice president and provost, as interim president-elect.

The executive firm assisting NU in the search, AGB Search, will host the listening session together with the Board of Regents. Attendees will have the opportunity to share the qualities and characteristics they would like to see in NU’s next president. Input from the sessions will inform the development of a leadership profile that will be used to help attract candidates.

The listening sessions will take place in the Truhlsen Events Center in the Sorrell Center, Room 1001 A.

The schedule for Friday is:


  • 8 to 9 a.m.: Faculty listening session
  • 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Staff/administrator listening session
  • 11 a.m. to Noon: Student listening session
  • 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Alumni/business/community listening session
  • 2 to 3 p.m.: Open listening session

Additional listening sessions will be hosted by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and AGB Search on Aug. 27-28 on each of the university’s campuses. Details for those sessions will be announced when they are finalized. Input from the August sessions will refine the criteria by which the Presidential Search Advisory Committee screens and evaluates applicants. Following a public solicitation of nominations for the advisory committee, the membership of the committee is expected to go before the board for consideration at its June 28 meeting.

Members of the university community and public who are unable to attend any of the listening sessions are encouraged to submit feedback to presidentsearch@nebraska.edu on the qualities, characteristics, and skills they would like to see in NU’s next leader.