Beth Leader-Janssen Named NU DEAL Fellow

Sixteen University of Nebraska colleagues have been selected to participate in a systemwide program that aims to develop the next generation of higher education leaders.

Beth Leader-Janssen, Ph.D., chair, Special Education and Communication Disorders, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences has been named one of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) 2025–2027 NU DEAL fellows.

NU’s Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders (NU DEAL) program, sponsored by all four universities with support from the Office of the President, offers an intensive two-year curriculum that helps participants develop their leadership skills, expand their networks and explore key issues and challenges facing the University of Nebraska and higher education.

UNO NU DEAL Fellows

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) 2025-2027 NU DEAL fellows, selected by campus leadership, are:

• Julie Blaskewicz Boron, Ph.D., associate dean, College of Public Affairs and Community Service, associate dean, Graduate Studies

• Brian Dorn, Ph.D., associate dean, College of Information Science & Technology

• Beth Leader-Janssen, Ph.D., chair, Special Education and Communication Disorders, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences

• Jody Neathery-Castro, Ph.D., professor, Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences

“I’m proud to congratulate our UNO fellows on this well-earned recognition,” UNO Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Phil He, Ph.D., said. “Their dedication to our students, their leadership on campus, and their commitment to UNO’s mission make them outstanding representatives in the NU DEAL program. The entire University of Nebraska system will benefit from their experience, insight, and vision.”

About the Program

Over the course of the program, the fellows will hear presentations from University of Nebraska System representatives and members of the Board of Regents, visit each NU campus to engage with senior leaders, and discuss timely higher education topics including:

• Strategic planning

• Philanthropy

• Higher education finances

• Facilities and infrastructure

• Opportunities and challenges related to teaching, learning and research

• Academic leadership skills and styles

The program seeks to build a cadre of senior leadership at all four universities, composed of faculty who understand how the NU System works at the highest level, said H. Dele Davies, M.D., UNMC interim chancellor.

“NU DEAL cultivates advanced thinking skills and empowers participants to lead with vision, purpose and lasting impact in today’s changing world, positioning them to step confidently into the next level of leadership,” Dr. Davies said.

UNMC, UNL, and UNK NU DEAL Fellows

University of Nebraska Medical Center

• Katie Bishop, associate dean for Education & Research Services, Library

• Ed Peters, DMD, SCD, chair, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health

• Chris Shaffer, Pharm.D., Ph.D., interim associate dean of Academic Affairs, College of Pharmacy

• Kari Simonsen, M.D., chair, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Cory Armstrong, Ph.D., associate dean for Research & Faculty Affairs, College of Journalism & Mass Communications

• Brittany Duncan, Ph.D., associate director, Computing & Technology, School of Computing; Director, NIMBUS Lab

• Rich Leiter, J.D., director, Schmid Law Library, UNL Faculty Senate President-Elect

• Larkin Powell, Ph.D., Director, School of Natural Resources

University of Nebraska at Kearney

• David Arredondo, collection services librarian, Library

• Janet Eckerson, Ed.D., associate dean for Engagement & Retention, College of Arts & Sciences

• Sharon Obasi, Ph.D., chair, Department of Counseling, School Psychology and Family Science

• James Vaux, Ph.D., associate dean of Faculty Success, College of Business & Technology

Applications for the 2026-28 cohort of the NU Deal fellows will open next spring. More information about the program is available on the NU DEAL webpage.