Meet the Finalists
Following an extensive national search, finalists have been identified for the position of Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Finalists will be on campus throughout the month of April. Campus and community members are invited to attend a public forum where each candidate will share their views on the role the diverse departments, centers, and programs in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences can play in improving the public perception, student outcomes, and community support for higher education. Feedback on each candidate will be invited following each campus visit.
Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D.
Campus Forum: April 2, 2024 | 3 P.M. | Roskens Hall 412
Dr. Neal Grandgenett is currently the Interim Dean of the UNO College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS), as well as a former Associate Dean, STEM Community Chair, Professor of Teacher Education, and a CEHHS Alumni. He has been a long-time UNO servant leader of joint campus efforts such as the STEM Initiative, the review and restructuring of the Office of Research and Creative Activity, and the development of multi-college pathways for preparing teachers. He is also a well experienced grant writer, and his joint innovations with colleagues have led to various recognitions, such as the UNO Distinguished Research and Creativity Award, the NU Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creative Activity Award, and the UNO Chancellor’s Medal.
Jason Coleman, Ph.D.
Campus Forum: April 15, 2024 | 4 P.M. | Roskens Hall 412
Please note: the time for the campus forum has changed from 3 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Jason Coleman, PhD, is the Director of the School of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Professor of Public Health. He also serves as the Interim Associate Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Dr. Coleman’s background combines a successful career in teaching with vast experience in public health research, practice, and service. His primary areas of research are community-based HIV prevention and practice, organizational capacity building, and structural-level interventions. Dr. Coleman currently holds the CEHHS Dean’s Award of Excellence Professorship, and in 2022 the Great Plains IDeA-CTR recognized him with the Community Collaborator of the Year Award. He is a graduate of Leadership Omaha.
Alan Utter, Ph.D.
Campus Forum: April 18, 2024 | 3 P.M. | Roskens Hall 412
Dr. Alan C. Utter graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 with a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and a Master’s of Public Health (M.P.H.) in epidemiology. Dr. Utter is the immediate past Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR from 2019-2023. He served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX from 2017-2019. His was a member of the Appalachian State University faculty from 1995-2017 Boone, NC.
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Dean Search
About the Search
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and its College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) seek a visionary, strategic leader to serve as the next dean of the college, starting in 2024.
The next dean will have the opportunity to lead collaborative efforts to build on the college’s many successes and develop a compelling vision for CEHHS's future. The dean will enhance and grow the college's research and creative activity enterprise, develop and advance a strategic enrollment management strategy, and prepare CEHHS graduates for professional success while strengthening UNO's connection to Omaha. The dean will be a champion for student, faculty, and staff success while advocating for the college and it's programs.
Search Committee Members
Michelle Trawick, College of Business Administration (CBA) Dean - Search Committee ChairCandice Batton, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs - ex officio member
Janice Garnett, Senior Lecturer, Educational Leadership
Sammi Kaiser, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Division of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success
Alexey Kamenskiy, Professor and Chair, Biomechanics
Beth Leader-Janssen, Professor and Chair, Special Education and Communication Disorders
Courtney Luxon, Senior Academic Advisor, Health and Kinesiology
Monse Medina Hernandez, Teacher Scholars Academy (Student)
Chris Moore, Professor and Chair, Physics, and Haddix Community Chair Physical Science
Sara Myers, Associate Vice Chancellor of Research
Derrick Nero, Assistant Professor, Teacher Education
Sandra Rodriguez-Arroyo, Associate Professor, Teacher Education
Adam Rosen, Associate Professor, Health and Kinesiology
Kris Swain, Associate Dean, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
Thang Tran, Assistant Professor, Counseling