Saying Goodbye to Dr. Jares

When Dr. Tim Jares joined the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2019 as dean of the College of Business and Technology, he brought with him decades of experience as well as many accolades. True to UNK’s vision, he took the time to get to know the people who made up each department of the CBT. This attention to building relationships is one of many things Dr. Jares will be known for as he begins a new chapter of his life this summer.

Even though he is retiring, Dr. Jares’s influence will still be felt by everyone on campus. Saying goodbye isn’t easy. We prefer to wish Dr. Jares well and thank him for all he has done for the College of Business and Technology over the past six years.

Typical of Dr. Jares, he took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us recently and share some final thoughts.

Proudest Accomplishments

When asked about his proudest accomplishments as dean, Dr. Jares explained how well the college executed its multifaceted strategic plan. It’s no surprise that, at the top of the list, is enhancing the student experience. Curriculum-related changes to various majors and minors with the future of students in mind were one of the first orders of business for Dr. Jares. The business core was restructured to include a required internship which has helped numerous students to not only fine-tune their career path but has also connected businesses with UNK students as future employees. Dr. Jares also championed changes to the business minor and entrepreneurship minor to help non–business majors who he describes as “an underserved and important population on the UNK campus.”

Experiential learning, to include the superb teaching he appreciates from all CBT professors, has been enhanced by the addition of Coursera Career Academy for CBT students and WSJ online access for all UNK students, faculty, and staff. While innovative programs are important and necessary, Dr. Jares shares that he’s most proud of the people of the CBT and the culture they have helped build. Over these past six years, he appreciates that “the culture of the college and the quality of (the) faculty is stronger than ever.”

Creating the CBT Living Learning Community and reinventing the CBT Ambassador Program are footprints Dr. Jares will leave behind for future generations to walk in. Both of these help develop leaders and provide positive experiences for students both on and off campus. 

Dr. Jares has always been concerned about the development of the whole student and for making changes that meet student needs. One example of how he has heard from students and met their needs is the movement to an 8-week delivery model for the MBA program. This helped double enrollment under his leadership. He also helped expand 2+2 programs with community colleges as well as 1+2+1 double degree programs with international partners. 

CBT Legacy

When asked about the type of legacy he hopes to leave behind, Dr. Jares states that who he has been able to hire would top the list because these are “the most important decisions” made by deans.  Using his years of leadership experience, he acquired before transitioning to UNK, Dr. Jares carefully allocated resources to programs and departments as part of his strategic recruiting process. The result has been the “outstanding, engaged, and committed faculty and staff” he has been fortunate to hire. He recognizes the “long-term, important impact” each will have and stresses that faculty is “the core of a university” which will “have a profound impact” on the CBT.

Though hired prior to his arrival, one such member of the faculty is Dr. Brooke Envick who Dr. Jares joins us all in congratulating for her role as the new dean of the College of Business and Technology. He shares that she is “incredibly talented” while noting that her high commitment to UNK and to students is even more important. When asked what advice he would offer her, he simply said he thinks “the best advice is for her to be Brooke” because he is confident she’ll “be wonderful” in her new role.

Changes Under His Leadership

As Dr. Jares reflects on the changes that have occurred under his leadership, he mentions that being forward-looking has helped the CBT become more efficient and, in some ways, even smaller “in terms of feel.” Specifically, he appreciates how the Discovery Hall move brought the tech side of the college closer to West Center and the rest of the faculty at the CBT. This move has helped to facilitate better collaboration which Dr. Jares recognizes as a means to foster growth as well as outreach. Dr. Jares is also proud of  how facilities investments such as classroom renovations in West Center, the development of space to house Brewed Awakening and the Finance Lab, and furnishing  Discovery Hall have created an engaging culture that will “serve the college and campus well into the future.”

As he looks around campus, he sees evidence everywhere on the student-centered focus he has worked so hard to establish. The CBT Career Center, which offers a career closet as well as many events with businesses to benefit students, and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development, which develops programs to “help aspiring entrepreneurs reach their dreams,” have both flourished under the leadership of Dr. Jares. 

He also worked tirelessly to transform UNK’s CBT into a springboard for future student success. Getting the word out about the College of Business and Technology has been a major goal of his. While there are many, one incredible statistic he is particularly proud of is from the CBT internship program. This past year an astounding 92% of employers reported that CBT students “exceeded or greatly exceeded their expectations.” Dr. Jares is pleased that this “says a lot about the training (CBT) students are receiving and says a lot about their tremendous work ethic.” 

Last Words for UNK

Dr,  Jares, when asked about what he will miss most about working at UNK, doesn’t hesitate to say it’s “the people-the students, faculty, staff, and certainly the myriad stakeholders.” His final message for everyone is for students to get engaged and “get all you can out of your educational experience.” For the faculty and staff of the CBT, he encourages them to “continue to put your heart into your work” because he believes “the result will be highly impactful” for “students and stakeholders.” He assures them “it won’t feel like work when you are doing what you love.” To the alumni and stakeholders, he would like to see them engaged with the CBT because he knows firsthand that together everyone is better off and believes their successes will align. 

As he wishes everyone farewell, Dr. Jares knows the CBT is “positioned well” with “strong momentum.” He shares that he is convinced “Dean Envick has many ideas and strategies that are thoughtfully developed to leverage (the school’s) strength and momentum.” He fully expects the college to grow in both quantity and quality. Although saying goodbye is bittersweet, Dr. Jares is grateful for the years he has spent in his role as CBT’s dean. In his heart, he will always be a Loper.