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Chancellor's Leadership Academy Launches at UNO

  • published: 2023/09/15
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu

On Thursday, Sept. 14, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) launched the Chancellor’s Leadership Academy. The academy will focus on preparing visionary, resilient, and flexible higher education leaders.

About the Academy

The 16-month program (Fall/Spring 2023–2024 and Fall 2024) will include leaders from all areas of the university in a relatively small cohort. The nine, 90-120 minutes monthly sessions (Sept. 2023 – May 2024) will consist of guest experts, discussion, and application/case studies on key topics and issues for higher education generally and UNO specifically. For Fall 2024, each participant will be matched with a mentor and with a concluding cohort event in Dec. 2024. In addition to the monthly sessions, additional resources will be provided or recommended and participants will be invited to select campus and community events.

The purposes of the academy are to:

  • Develop a system of leaders to work in a highly connected enterprise;

  • Foster a culture of empathy and care in the context of teamwork;

  • Equip participants a comprehensive understanding of modern university—particularly a public, urban, research, engaged university; and

  • Retain and attract top talent at UNO.

Tentative academy topics include:

  • Preparing Yourself for Future Roles/Leadership

  • Culture, Change, Creativity and innovation in higher education

  • Finance: University Budget 101 and Compliance

  • Create Strategies with Competitive Advantages and Innovations

  • Enrollment Management: Recruitment, Marketing, and Retention

  • Relationships: Media, Government, and Community

  • Media and Crisis Management

  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

  • How to Be a Leader


Fall 2023 Cohort Class Members

Chancellor's Leadership Academy Fall 2023

Front Row, From Left:

  • Donald Neal, Financial Strategy Officer for Auxiliary Services

  • Sarah Weil, Title IX Coordinator

  • Jessie Combs, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance

  • Troy Romero, Chair, Goodrich Scholarship Program

  • Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA

  • Taricka Burton, Executive Director, Student Leadership, Involvement, and Inclusion

  • Rashonda Austin, Director, Undergraduate Admissions

  • Sammi Kaiser, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success

  • Cynthia Robinson, Chair, Black Studies

Back Row, From Left:

  • Trent Fredericksen, Associate Dean, Student Life and Well-Being

  • Julie Dierberger, Paul Sather Distinguished Director UNO Service Learning Academy

  • Pooja Singh, Systems and Project Management Analyst, University of Nebraska System

  • Deborah Smith-Howell, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor

  • David Belieu, Senior Director of Development for UNO

  • Chase Kratochvil, Director, Federal and Military Relations

  • Myah Lanoux-Nguyen, Director of Strategy and Operations, Innovative and Learning Centric Initiatives

  • Kristin Girten, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research & Creative Activity

  • Sasha Thurin, Director of Marketing, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications

Not Pictured:

  • Lindsey Ekwerekwu, Associate Athletic Director