Attend Center for Faculty Excellence Director Candidate Forums
The campus community is invited to hear from three finalists for the position of Director of the UNO Center for Faculty Excellence; April 8, 12, and 15.
- date: 04/08/21 - 04/15/21
- time: Please see below for schedule and RSVP details
- contact: Candice Batton - Academic Affairs • cbatton@unomaha.edu

Over the course of the spring semester, recruiting efforts have been underway to identify UNO’s next Director of the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE).
This is a critical position for our campus, as faculty and staff support and achievement is key to our success as an institution. Our goal is a CFE Director who will help prepare faculty and staff for their work in a 21st century public research university with an engaged, metropolitan mission through our commitment to teaching/learning and individual career professional development. The CFE Director is also expected to play a leadership role in developing and offering programming geared toward a more welcoming, equitable, and inclusive campus environment.
All faculty and staff are invited to attend an open campus forum where each candidate will share their strategic vision for faculty and staff support and development.
Please register for the session using the link next to each candidate’s name below and you will be sent a Zoom link for the forum. You can also access each candidate's curriculum vitae below.
Thursday, April 8 | Noon to 1 P.M. (Zoom RSVP)
Connie Schaffer, Ed.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Teacher Education
Director, Ombuds Office
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Curriculum Vitae
Monday, April 12 | 3:30 to 4:30 P.M. (Zoom RSVP)
Yasuko Taoka, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Arts and Humanities
Director, Honors and Interdisciplinary Studies
Wayne State College
Curriculum Vitae
Thursday, April 15 | Noon to 1 P.M. (Zoom RSVP)
Jolie Sheffer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, English and Culture Studies
Director, Institute for the Study of Culture and Society
Bowling Green State University
Curriculum Vitae
With so many demands on everyone's time at this point in the semester, thank you in advance for your participating in these forums and providing feedback on these candidates.
Thanks also to the search committee for their efforts:
- Julie Dierberger, Ph.D. (chair)
- Juan Casas, Ph.D.
- Sarah Edwards, Ph.D.
- Janice Garnett, Ph.D.
- Kim Harkins
- Dan Hawkins, Ph.D.
- Barbara Hewins-Maroney, Ph.D.
- Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D.
- Emily Wright, Ph.D.
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
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