Who we are

Our Mission 

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, residential university committed to be one of the nation’s premier undergraduate institutions with excellent graduate education, scholarship, and public service.

Our Vision 

The University of Nebraska at Kearney will achieve national distinction for a high quality, multidimensional learning environment, engagement with community and public interests, and preparation of students to lead responsible and productive lives in a democratic, multicultural society.

Key to such improvement will be: clear focus on mission imperatives, fidelity to historic core values, and continuous and rigorous self-appraisal or assessment of outcomes.

chancellor schnoor speaks at a podium

Neal Schnoor, Ph.D.

Chancellor: University of Nebraska at Kearney

schnoorn@unk.edu
(308) 865-8208

Dr. Neal H. Schnoor was named chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2025, returning to a campus he served for two decades as a faculty member, academic leader and trusted advisor.

A Nebraska native and first-generation college graduate, he earned his bachelor’s at Wayne State College and his master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Early in his career he taught and directed bands at Wakefield, Kearney and Lincoln Northeast high schools before joining UNK in 1997 to lead the Pride of the Plains Marching Band, teach music education and oversee program assessment. [Full Bio] >>

Administrative Staff

Vice Chancellors

Julie Shaffer

Julie Shaffer

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

shafferjj@unk.edu
(308) 865-8209

Jane Sheldon

Jane Sheldon

Interim Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance

sheldonj@unk.edu
(308) 865-8205

Kelly Bartling

Kelly Bartling

Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Marketing

bartlingkh@unk.edu
(308) 865-8455

Other Chancellor's Leadership / Cabinet

John Falconer

John Falconer

Senior Advisor to the Chancellor

falconerj@unk.edu
(308) 865-8715

Lucas Dart

Lucas Dart

NU Foundation and Alumni

lucas.dart@nufoundation.org
(308) 698-5270

George Holman

George Holman

Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs

holmangp@unk.edu
(308) 865-8519

Administrative Council

Brooke Envick

Brooke Envick

Dean of the College of Business and Technology

envickbr@unk.edu
(308) 865-1547

Mark Reid

Mark Reid

Dean of the College of Education

reidm@unk.edu
(308) 865-8265

Paul Twigg

Paul Twigg

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

twiggp@unk.edu
(308) 865-8881

Evan Boyd

Evan Boyd

Dean Library

boyde@unk.edu
(308) 865-8546

Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis

Dean of Graduate Studies

ellismr@unk.edu
(308) 865-8767

Maha Younes

Maha Younes

Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Engagement

younesm@unk.edu
(308) 865-8741

Marc Bauer

Marc Bauer

Director of Athletics

bauermd@unk.edu
(308) 865-8514

Chance Bell

Chance Bell

Assistant Vice Chancellor of UNK Global

bellc@unk.edu
(308) 865-8230

Andrea Childress

Andrea Childress

Assistant Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology

achildress@nebraska.edu
(308) 865-8789

Jane Sheldon

Jane Sheldon

Associate Vice Chancellor Business and Finance

sheldonj@unk.edu
(308) 865-8427

Nita Unruh

Nita Unruh

Associate Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs

unruhnc@unk.edu
(308) 865-8335

Todd Gottula

Todd Gottula

Sr. Director of Communications and Marketing

gottulatm@unk.edu
(308) 865-8454

Lisa Neal

Lisa Neal

University Registrar

neall@unk.edu
(308) 865-8527

Alex Straatmann

Alex Straatmann

Chief Compliance Officer

straatmanna2@unk.edu
(308) 865-8400