Nov. 16, 2023
To the Faculty and Staff of the University of Nebraska:
Today I am pleased to share, on behalf of the Board of Regents, the leadership profile for the next president of the University of Nebraska. We are officially inviting applications and nominations as we move forward with our national search for our ninth president.
The leadership profile, posted in full here, was developed based on input from nearly 200 faculty, staff, students and stakeholders who attended a series of opening listening sessions last month, as well as more who shared their feedback online. We are grateful to each of you for taking time to guide our search, and to our search advisory committee and search firm for facilitating productive and insightful discussions.
We heard loud and clear that the presidency of the University of Nebraska is an enormous opportunity and responsibility – a position that has a uniquely significant impact on the lives of students, the well-being of our communities and the strength of our economy. We have the crucial task of finding exactly the right person who will lead our university to its next phase of growth and excellence.
I’m confident our leadership profile will help us find that person. Among other qualities, we’re seeking someone who:
- Is an authentic, humble, proven leader and strategic thinker who listens and communicates well, who values shared governance, and who will prioritize students in making decisions. The next president will advance our goals for achieving local and global impact through outstanding academics, research and service.
- Is committed to a “One Nebraska” approach that includes all voices and recognizes that the unique missions and strengths of our campuses make us a stronger system. The right candidate will have a gift for connecting with all Nebraskans and inspiring them around a shared vision.
- Will build effective working relationships based on trust and candor with the Governor, Legislature and other elected officials, as well as the philanthropic community, serving as the chief advocate and champion of the University of Nebraska.
- Brings strong business acumen, with a proven record of financial leadership during challenging times.
- Values the university’s role in innovation, including in agriculture, and who will bring new ideas for workforce development and talent retention.
- Recognizes the value of being a university community made up of students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and where all are welcomed.
- Values college athletics and academic health science centers.
It is the Board’s goal – and we heard a strong preference from so many of you – to find a leader who is deeply committed to Nebraska and who will be willing to remain in the role for a decade or more.
Applications and nominations should be sent to NUPresident@academicsearch.org. The position will be open until filled, but only applications received by January 1, 2024, will be guaranteed full consideration. We invite all of you to share the position profile across your networks. We intend to cast as wide a net as possible as we consider, vet and interview candidates.
As we shared with you previously, we will move forward efficiently, without rushing this important process. We are fortunate to be in a position to consider strong interim leadership after President Ted Carter steps down from his role on Dec. 31. As you may have seen last week, the Board will consider appointing current Chief Financial Officer Chris Kabourek as interim president at our Dec. 1 meeting. Chris is a longtime veteran of the University, with strong expertise and relationships across our campuses and the state, and I am pleased to be recommending his appointment to the full Board. Nebraska will be well-served by his leadership during the transition period.
We are excited to be making progress and look forward to your continued engagement throughout the search process. Thank you for all you do for the University of Nebraska and our 50,000 students.
