Last fall, during my investiture as the 9th president of the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, I shared a bold vision for the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. That vision, of an odyssey to the extraordinary for our university, is something I believe in today just as much, if not more, as I did on the day of my investiture.
The opportunities and challenges we continue to experience underscores the urgency of our odyssey, the vision of the extraordinary. It underscores the need for careful strategic planning, meticulous implementation, and above all else, truly mission-driven decision making–decision making that is stakeholder-based with broad and deep wisdom from those who depend most upon us. This odyssey also requires a thoughtful and thorough evaluation of our system-wide structure, of programs and of processes across the University, of areas with the most potential for growth, of the pillars of innovation and of the critically important opportunities for even more efficiency.
Since last year, we have been developing and fine-tuning a new strategic plan to guide the university through the coming years of opportunity and challenge. This plan is comprised of five foundational pillars and 16 strategies, which together will set an inspirational standard across the university, while also giving individual campuses and programs the freedom to focus in areas of strength, areas of innovation and to prioritize the use of our precious resources.
I have shared the five foundational pillars with you before, and today, the sixteen strategies based upon extensive faculty, student, staff, alumni creativity and feedback. This framework will be distributed, using a digital format, to all of our campuses, colleges, institutes, centers, to all of our auxiliaries, business units, alumni associations and more. In so doing, to build out the detailed specifics of this dynamic and exciting odyssey of change.
Periods of change and reinvention are inevitable over time and in any industry, including higher education. I believe that only the best of the best universities will meet this moment, embrace opportunities for growth and innovation, and ultimately emerge stronger. It may take time, and there will be both exciting and challenging moments ahead, but I do believe the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ will set the standard and thrive as a truly extraordinary institution.
Consistent with our system-wide planning, we are continuing to move forward with the application process to the Higher Learning Commission—the accrediting body for each of our campuses. As I reported during the last meeting of this board, and at each committee meeting over the past six months, this effort involves combining accreditation for the UNL and UNMC campuses, which is the standard across our peer university systems. I am pleased to provide an update that we have now submitted a completed application, which has been accepted by the HLC. The remaining step, Phase 4, consists of campus visits followed by a definitive HLC Board decision, likely this summer and fall, respectively.
Since our last meeting, we have seen a significant amount of regulatory and policy change. Much of this change has been at the federal level, which has trickled down across our nation including to the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. Our campus leaders, faculty and staff across the university have been working hard to understand these impacts on the research, teaching and engagement work that is happening in our classrooms, research laboratories, farms and clinics across the state.
It will take time – months or even years – for the new federal landscape to come fully into focus. In the meantime, we are doing our best to keep abreast of changes, to be ready to pivot when necessary, to embrace opportunities as they come, and to be as responsible and prudent as possible with the ever-changing precious responsibility that we have to the current and future citizenry of Nebraska. We are grateful to the Nebraska congressional delegation for their guidance, partnership and support through these times.
I also wish to express gratitude for the partnership with members of the Nebraska Legislature, especially the members of the appropriations committee. In January, a cut was proposed to the university’s state-aided budget. In response to many of the changes I shared earlier, the appropriations committee is now reconsidering and trying to find ways to help keep higher education affordable, accessible and of the highest quality.
We are very grateful and fully understand that our state is facing its own budgetary pressures, and that our governor and state senators have spent this session having difficult discussions and making difficult decisions. This legislature and the governor’s office team are made up of hard workers – whom I’ve come to count as colleagues and friends – who truly have the best long-term interests of Nebraskans at heart. I look forward to continuing to work with them as the session continues and thereafter.
A theme of this meeting is recognizing extraordinary individuals who have done extraordinary things and lived extraordinary lives, all making the world a better place. First, I am grateful to have known Jack Hoffman and his parents, Andy and Bri. I am grateful to have known and worked with Greg Sharpe, and I’m thankful to their families for joining us here today to recognize them and their legacies. Nebraskans became familiar with both Jack and Greg through Husker football, but each went on to make an impact extending far beyond the game, and to touch generations of lives within and beyond our state.
Jack and his family were instrumental in raising millions of dollars for pediatric brain cancer research, although he lost his courageous battle in January. Through their work and advocacy, lives have been saved and will be for future generations of children to come. The Hoffmans’ tenacity and dedication to turn tragedy into victory and persevere against all odds is a humbling lesson for us all, as our Regents consider the awarding one of Jack’s lifetime goals, his college degree.
Greg Sharpe was the voice of the Huskers beginning in 2008. For more than 16 years, he was more than a broadcaster, he was a storyteller, champion of student athletes, and an incredible friend and cheerleader to nearly everyone he met. He personified what it means to be a Husker and a proud Nebraskan and as such, the broadcast booth will forever bear his name.
Today we are also recognizing Regent Jim McClurg with emeritus status. Regent McClurg is a former UNMC faculty member, as well as an innovator and a champion of entrepreneurship and innovation. Regent McClurg, as a regent, you helped guide the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ during good time and lean times, and each of us can learn from your example dedicated servant leadership, as well.
Today we will formally recognize Husker Volleyball Coach John Cook. Coach Cook of course is the most successful coach in the history of collegiate volleyball and a role model, mentor and friend to so many, including myself. Coach Cook, we are so proud of what you and our student athletes have built here in Nebraska, and we will be reminded – pending board approval – of your legacy each time the Huskers play at the newly named John Cook Arena inside the Bob Devaney Sports Complex.
Just as all of these individuals have dedicated their lives and careers to the pursuit of excellence, our university remains committed the same. Later in this meeting, the Board will consider for approval several such examples These include a new program, a graduate certificate for emergency nurse practitioners, to be awarded at the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ Medical Center. This certificate is a crucial step in strengthening healthcare access to emergency services, particularly in Nebraska’s many rural communities.
Rural hospitals and clinics often struggle with provider shortages, making it essential to equip nurses with advanced skills to deliver high-quality emergency care. This certificate will help address gaps in emergency medical services, ensuring that rural patients receive timely and expert care as close as possible to home.
Today the Board will also consider approval of the first Intermediate Design Review for Project Health. Project Health will significantly impact education in the health professions, clinical research, and strengthen access to health care services across Nebraska. This project will address both rural and urban healthcare workforce needs. It is yet another opportunity for the University, the state, and Nebraska’s incredible philanthropic community to partner in a transformational project that will yield improved health outcomes, boost the ranks of skilled medical professionals, stimulate even more economic development, and improve quality of life across Nebraska for many generations to come.
Further, I am very pleased to note that later today, our board will also consider the third construction phase for the Biomechanics program here on the UNO campus—a program whose second phase I had the honor of leading during my time serving as the chancellor of UNO. This progress is a testament to the long-standing leadership of Dr. Nick Sturgio, the incredible growth and impact of the work of the Biomechanics researchers, and the vision and generosity of the Nebraska philanthropic community. A unique family of long-time visionary benefactors, whose support has touched every corner of every campus of our university system, has once again made a wide investment – in Dr. Sturgio, in the future of the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, and in the future of the broader community that we together serve every day.
Finally, I too wish to publicly thank and congratulate our student regents for their service to their campuses, to our university and the state we call home. Their critically important voices, representing all students, their willingness to ask important questions in and out of the board room, and the gift of their time and talent over this year of transition has been invaluable and will be even more so in the future. Thank you, we are all deeply grateful and wish you the very best in your future journeys.
Those being recognized today, individually and together, exemplify the odyssey that we are on, and the places that this odyssey can and will lead us. They are examples of many other humble heros across all of our campus moving the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ from excellent to extraordinary. Thank you for your time today and for the privilege of serving as the President of your University.