NU moves ahead with search for next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney

Zach Wendling

Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska is moving ahead in the search to find the next chancellor for the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a search firm and committee.

Interim NU President Chris Kabourek announced Tuesday that he has appointed a 13-member search committee and hired the executive search firm CarterBaldwin to assist in the process. Current UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature and the longest-serving chancellor in NU history at 22 years, will retire at the end of the academic year.

Kristensen’s departure will mean just one of NU’s four chancellors will have served more than three years in a chancellor role, on top of a new president expected to be announced soon.

CarterBaldwin has assisted in searches across various fields ranging from J&J Snack Foods and Shoals Technologies to Palm Beach Atlantic University and Pepperdine University. 

One of the firm’s partners, Andrea McDaniel Smith, leads CarterBaldwin’s Washington, D.C., office and splits her time between there and Gering, Neb. She is married to U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, a Republican who represents Nebraska’s sprawling 3rd Congressional District.

Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District includes Kearney.

An NU spokesperson said the university is paying CarterBaldwin $108,000 for its services and will cover direct expenses associated with the search, such as travel.

Next search steps will include campus listening sessions, crafting a job description and seeking nominations and applications. 

The committee members:

1. Brooke Envick (committee chair), associate dean and professor in the College of Business and Technology.
2. Kelly Bartling, vice chancellor for enrollment and marketing.
3. Jerry Catlett, president and COO of Bruning Bank.
4. Chris Exstrom, chemistry professor and UNK Faculty Senate president.
5. Brad Green, associate director in the Office of Financial Aid.
6. Brenda Jensen, interim city manager of the City of Kearney.
7. Avery Laing, sophomore middle level education major.
8. Temo Molina, UNK student body president and a junior business administration and political science double major.
9. Omar Sanchez, junior accounting and finance double major.
10. Wendy Schardt, director of student health and counseling.
11. Paul Twigg, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
12. Tom Tye, attorney for Tye and Rowling, PC LLO.
13. Nita Unruh, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences.