Hiring Process for UNO, UNMC Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusion Under Way

UNO and UNMC have begun a search for an individual who will lead key current and future inclusivity activities on the two campuses.

The new assistant vice chancellor for inclusion role was created after extensive discussions and consultations with key faculty, students, staff and community stakeholders, as well as the leaders of other prominent universities across the nation. This person will report directly to the chief academic officers at each campus: UNMC Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs H. Dele Davies, M.D., and UNO Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs B.J. Reed, Ph.D.

UNO and UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., announced the creation of the new position in September and discussed it at the recent UNO State of the University address and UNMC Town Hall meeting in late October.

"One of the most important things a university can do for not just our students, but our faculty, staff and guests, is provide an environment where everyone feels welcome, and where everyone is encouraged to explore new ideas and meet new people,” Reed said. “This position will allow both of our campuses to have someone dedicated to identifying, implementing and supporting that effort."

The full-time position is open to current employees of the University of Nebraska system. After a predetermined length of time, if a priority candidate is not found internally the position will become open to external candidates, as well.

“This position will be crucial for ongoing support, coordination and advocacy for the many inclusion, diversity and equity activities taking place on both campuses,” Davies said. “The demographics of Nebraska is changing rapidly and it is important that UNMC reflects these changes so that we can better serve our communities and positively impact health disparities”.

Aileen Warren, assistant vice chancellor for human resources at UNMC, and Cecil Hicks, assistant vice chancellor for human resources at UNO, will co-chair the search committee. The committee includes representation from each campus’ faculty, staff and students, as well as across multiple backgrounds and demographic categories. In addition to Warren and Hicks, the search committee includes:

• Janet Guthmiller, D.D.S., dean, UNMC College of Dentistry;
• Keith Ozanne, student, UNMC;
• Kimiko Krieger, student, UNMC;
• Emily McElroy, director, associate professor, McGoogan Library of Medicine, UNMC
• Sheritta Strong, M.D., assistant professor, psychiatry, UNMC;
• Stancia Jenkins, associate to the president/assistant vice president for diversity, access, and inclusion for the University of Nebraska;
• Luis Marky, Ph.D., professor, pharmaceutical science, UNMC College of Pharmacy;
• Juan Casas, Ph.D., associate professor, psychology, UNO;
• Candice Batton, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, UNO Academic Affairs;
• Steven Summers, Thompson Alumni Center Facility Director, UNO Alumni Association;
• Taricka Burton, associate director, multicultural programs, UNO Multicultural Affairs;
• Renata Valquier Chavez, student regent, UNO; and
• Gerry Huber, Ph.D., director, Academic Advising/Cert Officer, UNO College of Education.

The internal posting and formation of the search committee are the first steps in the search process. Additional details on the search process and timeline will be shared with both campuses as they become available.