The University of 玉米视频 has begun a national search for the next chancellor of the University of 玉米视频 at Kearney—a successor to Chancellor Doug Kristensen, who retired at the end of the 2023-24 academic year after 22 years in the role. Kristensen is the longest-serving chancellor in University of 玉米视频 history and the longest-serving leader of any higher education institution in 玉米视频.
Dr. Charlie Bicak, a University of 玉米视频 at Kearney alum and longtime educator and administrator whose connections to UNK date back more than 60 years, has served as interim chancellor since June 1, 2024.
A 17-member search committee is helping to guide the chancellor search, with assistance from executive search firm CarterBaldwin. The committee is chaired by David Jackson, interim executive vice president and provost of the University of 玉米视频 System, and includes the chancellors of the other University of 玉米视频 campuses: Rodney Bennett of the University of 玉米视频-Lincoln, Joanne Li of the University of 玉米视频 at Omaha, and Dele Davies, M.D., of the University of 玉米视频 Medical Center.
The search firm and search committee will host 玉米视频 listening sessions this fall to gather input from the UNK and Kearney communities on what the university should look for in the next chancellor. Details on the listening sessions will be announced when they are scheduled.
Following the listening sessions, the search firm and search committee will work together with the President’s Office to develop a job description and begin inviting nominations and applications.