KEARNEY, Neb. — The University of Nebraska-Kearney is promoting from within to fill one of its most prominent posts.

The university announced Monday that it selected Julie Shaffer as senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. She replaces Kristen Majocha, who transitioned to a faculty role after one year in the position. Shaffer had been serving as interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs since July.

“Julie has shown her commitment to UNK through a variety of activities, from mentoring student researchers to serving as interim senior vice chancellor during an important time. I’m very pleased that she has accepted this position, and I know UNK is in good hands,” Chancellor Doug Kristensen said.

Shaffer joined the UNK Department of Biology in 1999 and was promoted to associate professor in 2004 and professor in 2010. She served as the department’s graduate program chair for seven years and online director for one year before becoming the department chair in 2017.

According to a news release, Shaffer’s research projects have received more than $6 million in grant funding. She’s also served on several campus committees and academic program review teams and is a current fellow for the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska.

“I’m honored to be the next SVCAA of UNK,” Shaffer said. “I look forward to working with the deans, directors and faculty to strengthen the academic programs and support the UNK mission.”

The senior vice chancellor for academic affairs is the chief academic officer at UNK, overseeing three academic colleges, general studies and Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach. The position also oversees the library, Academic Resources and Institutional Research, assessment, Sponsored Programs and Research, UNK Global, registrar and academic programs such as undergraduate research, the Honors Program and Thompson Scholars Learning Community. Additionally, they serve as a liaison to the Higher Learning Commission and OneIT.