UNK chancellor search advances to interview phase

KEARNEY, Neb. — University officials are reviewing applications and preparing to interview candidates for the next University of Nebraska at Kearney chancellor.

A university news release says the national search is entering the interview phase. Candidates will meet with the 17-member search committee and executive search firm CarterBaldwin in March. After that, the committee and Board of Regents will name a priority candidate. That candidate will being a 30-day public vetting period before officially receiving the job offer. University officials hope to have the new chancellor in place before the start of the fall semester.

“The search has yielded an exceptionally strong pool of candidates, and we have been impressed with the level of interest in this opportunity,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “We are pleased with the depth of experience demonstrated by the applicants. UNK is in a position of strength, and I am confident we will identify a leader well-prepared to guide UNK into the future.”

The release says the priority deadline for applications was Jan. 31, but submissions will continue to be accepted until a new chancellor is appointed.

Dr. Charlie Bicak came out of retirement and has served as interim chancellor since May. University leadership is working to replace Doug Kristensen, who retired last year after 22 years as UNK chancellor.