Midlands Superintendent Academy

Every day, students of all ages take classes at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. However, for the past year, a very unique group of students have been learning from UNO’s world-class educators and can now celebrate their graduation.

Fifteen superintendents and assistant superintendents from Nebraska and Iowa recently graduated as the inaugural class of UNO’s Midlands Superintendent Academy.

Launched in September 2013, the 10-month program was designed by UNO and former Millard Public Schools superintendent Keith Lutz to provide educational leaders with the skills needed to help them successfully lead and manage school districts.

This year’s class represented the school districts of Omaha, Ralston, Elkhorn, Millard, Papillion-La Vista, DC West, Atlantic, Central City.

Throughout each of the classes, the participants worked with UNO educators as well as community and business leaders from around the country to address their district’s strategic plan and make sure it is serving their district and city’s goals and needs.

These leaders included Tom Osborne, former Nebraska congressman and University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletic director; Kati Haycock, president of the Education Trust; and Tim Waters, president and chief executive officer of Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), just to name a few.

In addition to guest speakers, each participant had a personal business executive mentor that provided them insight and guidance.

• The graduating members of this first class are as follows:

• Mark Adler, Ph.D. - superintendent of Ralston Public Schools
• Michael Amstein, Ph.D. - superintendent of Atlantic Community Schools
• Candace Conradt, Ph.D. - superintendent of Central City Public Schools
• Brad Dahl - assistant superintendent of Ralston Public Schools
• Mark Evans – superintendent of Omaha Public Schools
• Kristi Gibbs – assistant superintendent of Ralston Public Schools
• Bary Habrock – assistant superintendent of Elkhorn Public Schools
• Frank Harwood – superintendent of Bellevue Public Schools
• Ron Hanson, Ph.D. – assistant superintendent of Papillion-La Vista Public Schools
• ReNae Kehrberg, Ph.D. – assistant superintendent of Omaha Public Schools
• Ann Mausbach, Ph.D. – assistant superintendent of Council Bluffs Community Schools
• Rex Pfeil – superintendent of Blair Public Schools
• Andy Rikli, Ph.D. – superintendent of Papillion-La Vista Public Schools
• Dan Schnoes, Ph.D. – superintendent of DC West Community Schools
• Jim Sutfin, Ph.D. – assistant superintendent of Millard Public Schools

Now Accepting Applications:

Applications are currently being accepted for next year’s academy, which will start this September. Those interested in participating can find an application and nomination materials at http://coe.unomaha.edu/moec/msa.