College of Business Administration Welcomes New Dean Trawick

The UNO College of Business Administration officially welcomes Michelle Trawick, Ph.D., as dean of the college this week.

Trawick comes from Western Kentucky University (WKU), where she served as the Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Excellence. Over the last two decades, she has also served as the Associate Dean for Faculty and Administration at the Gordon College of Business, Chair of the Economics Department, and a professor of economics. Her leadership at WKU led to the extensions of accreditations in accounting and business; new academic initiatives that provided students with new and expanded academic and internship opportunities; and further philanthropic support of scholarships. She holds a Ph.D. in economics and Master of Economics from North Carolina State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from WKU.

“Michelle brings a wealth of experience and values that align with UNO’s public metropolitan research mission,” said Sacha Kopp, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, stated following Trawick's selection to serve as the next dean. “A first-generation college student herself, she shares the lived experience of many of our students and will join UNO as a strong role model for empowering success in our student body.”

Trawick emerged as the top candidate for the position following a seven-month national search led by a search committee consisting of faculty and staff from the College of Business Administration, other members of the campus community, and friends and business leaders from the Omaha community. Further feedback was gathered from the campus community following forums with four finalists.

Trawick succeeds Louis Pol, Ph.D., who led the college for 17 years prior to stepping away from the role in May 2019. Lynn Harland, Ph.D., seved as interim dean from August 2019 through this January.