Leadership Opportunities

Strong leadership is the cornerstone of academic and professional growth. We are committed to providing faculty with opportunities to develop their leadership skills. Our leadership opportunities are designed to empower faculty to lead with confidence and purpose.

Leadership Faculty Fellows

The Leadership Faculty Fellow program is intended to cultivate academic leadership skills on campus.. Faculty fellows work collaboratively with academic leadership in Academic Affairs and across the colleges to develop or build capacity in an area of need. They have the opportunity to develop their own leadership.

In addition to taking the lead on a particular project or initiative, Faculty Fellows also learn about more general administrative tasks and priorities associated with supporting the academic leadership of the campus.

Current Leadership Faculty Fellows

Amy Morris - Director, School of the Arts

Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles - Professor, Strategy Management

Dana Richter-Egger - Director, Math Science Learning Center

Nebraska University Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders (NU DEAL)

The NU DEAL program is a focused, two-year investment in personal growth and development. Participants will refine their leadership skills while interacting within the context of the many subcultures of our multifaceted educational enterprise. The program is intended for individuals from each campus who are currently serving in academic leadership roles (department chairs, center directors, assistant/associate deans) and have interest in expanding their leadership practice and skills.

During the program the participants will visit each campus over a two year period. Small groups will meet up to monthly for campus-specific, project-based learning. The inter-campus fellowship will provide unprecedented access to the macro systems, information and decision-making that drive the actions and performance of the NU System. NU DEAL strengthens relationships, connections and networks broadly across Nebraska.

Learn more about NU DEAL and the participants from the other campuses.

2025-2027 Cohort

Julie Blaskewicz Boron - Associate Dean, College of Public Affairs and Community Service; Associate Dean, Graduate Studies; and Professor of Gerontology

Brian Dorn - Associate Dean, College of Information Science and Technology and Professor of Computer Sciences

Beth Leader-Janssen - Chair and Professor, Special Education and Communication Disorders

Jody Neathery-Castro - Interim Associate Vice Chancellor Global Engagement and Professor of Political Science

2024-2026 Cohort

Kristin Girten - Assistant Vice Chancellor, ORCA; Professor, English

William Melanson - Chair and Associate Professor, Philosophy; Faculty Senate Past President

Troy Romero - Chair and Professor, Goodrich Scholarship Program

Roopa Venkatesh - School Director and Professor, Accounting

2023-2025 Cohort

Randy Adkins - Senior Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Professor, Political Science

Melissa Berke - Associate Dean, College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media; Professor, Music

Robin Gandhi - Associate Dean for Research, College of Information Science and Technology; Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Informatics

Dan Hawkins - Director, Online Development, ILCI; Professor, Sociology

2022-2024 Graduates

Gaylene Armstrong - Dean, College of Public Affairs and Community Service

LaReesa Wolfenbarger - Former Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Jason Coleman - Associate Dean, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Sara Myers - Associate Vice Chancellor, Research and Creative Activity