UNK - Key Persons


Aaron Estes

Job Titles:
  • Director of Academic Success Offices

Alex Straatmann

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, Office of Equity & Compliance - Chief Compliance Officer )

Andrea Childress

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology

Ashley Olivas

Job Titles:
  • TRIO SSS Senior Advisor, Foundations for Learning Instructor

Barb Wayman

Job Titles:
  • Staff Senate Representative

Beth Reid

Job Titles:
  • ASO Office Associate

Bev Mathiesen

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Executive

Brad Green

Job Titles:
  • President - Elect
  • President - Elect, Associate Director Financial Aid

Bryce Abbey

Job Titles:
  • Ex - Officio

Chancellor Kristensen

When I'm visiting with people about UNK, many are surprised -- in a good way -- about any number of things. Our campus, our diversity, our measures of student success. But often, the thing that surprises them the most is how friendly we are. This is the UNK difference, and one that we want you to experience first-hand when you visit Kearney.

Chelsea Swarm

Job Titles:
  • Ex - Officio
  • Ex - Officio, Assistant Director Human Resources
  • Human Resources Compliance )

Chris Exstrom - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Christina Dean

Job Titles:
  • Disability Services for Students Office Associate

Christina Sogar

Job Titles:
  • President - Elect

Courtney Storjohn

The Policy Committee meets on an as needed basis, Staff Senate bylaws and the Employee Handbook for Managerial/Professional and Office/Service Staff to recommend revisions as appropriate.

Daniel Chaffin

Job Titles:
  • Secretary

Dawn Mollenkopf


Dean Library


Deena Schleiger

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chair

Douglas A. Kristensen

Job Titles:
  • Chancellor
Chancellor Kristensen was appointed to lead the University of Nebraska at Kearney in July 2002 following a distinguished career in the Nebraska Legislature. He represented the 37th legislative district and, at the time he retired from office, was the longest serving Speaker of the Legislature. He brings to the position a unique knowledge of the issues affecting higher education in the State of Nebraska, a record of dedication to Nebraska citizens, and a long familiarity with the University system in general and the history and mission of the Kearney campus in particular. more (Full Bio) >>

Douglas Biggs

Job Titles:
  • Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director International Education

Evan Boyd

Job Titles:
  • Dean Library

George Holman

Job Titles:
  • Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
  • Student Affairs )

Jane Sheldon

Job Titles:
  • Business and Finance

Janice Emal

Job Titles:
  • Office Coordinator

Jazzmyn Martin

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director, Disability Services for Students

Joel Ratzlaff

Job Titles:
  • Business and History Education

John Falconer

Job Titles:
  • Senior Advisor to the Chancellor

Jon Watts

Job Titles:
  • Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance

Julie Shaffer

Job Titles:
  • Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Karen Myers - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman

Kelly Bartling

Job Titles:
  • Vice Chancellor Enrollment Management and Marketing )
  • Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Marketing

Kristi Marshall

Job Titles:
  • TRIO SSS Office Assistant

Lauren Gockley

Job Titles:
  • TRIO - SSS Advisor, Student Support Services

Laurinda Weisse

Job Titles:
  • Library Archivist

Lucas Dart


Lynelle Fritzen

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director Sponsorships

Maha Younes

Job Titles:
  • Chief Diversity Officer

Marc Bauer

Job Titles:
  • Director of Athletics

Marisa Dixon

Job Titles:
  • Member Services Coordinator
  • Staff Senate Representative

Mark Ellis

Job Titles:
  • Dean of Graduate Studies

Mark Reid

Job Titles:
  • Dean of the College of Education
Mark Reid Dean of the College of Education reidm@unk.edu (308) 865-8265

Megan Strain

Job Titles:
  • Senate Representative

Meredith DeHaven

Job Titles:
  • Ex - Officio Member

Michael Christen - Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Director of Business Services
  • Treasurer

Michael Cremers

Job Titles:
  • Facilities and Management )

Michelle Smidt

Job Titles:
  • Coordinator

MK Mueller

International trainer and author MK Mueller began her professional life as a high school teacher when she hit rock bottom and found herself in a domestic violence shelter. From the depths of despair, she experienced life-changing insights as she discovered that we are not victims because the power to effect change is always within us. From this bold foundation, she began a support group with five neighbors which quickly grew to hundreds coming to hear her message each week. Now she trains over 100,000 people each year - from homeless shelter residents to Fortune 500 executives-and is dedicated to the empowerment of our youth, sharing her 8 to Great success curriculum with elementary, middle and high schools.

Nicole McDuffee

Job Titles:
  • HR Assistant
  • Secretary

Olivia Whittaker - President, VP

Job Titles:
  • President
  • Vice President
  • President, Assistant Registrar Academic Support Services

Paul Twigg

Job Titles:
  • Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Paul Twigg Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences twiggp@unk.edu (308) 865-8315

Randy Slaymaker

Job Titles:
  • Operations Support Technician
  • Staff Senate Representative

Rashawn Harvey

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director TRIO SSS, Foundations for Learning Instructor

Renae Zimmer

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director
  • Staff Senate Representative

Sam Umland

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, English

Sandy Heiden - Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Treasurer

Scott Olson - Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Treasurer

Sharon Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chair

Staci Kratzer - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman

Stacy Darveau

Job Titles:
  • Ex - Officio past President
  • Ex - Officio past President, Administrative Associat

Stefani Wegner - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Steph Gallaway

Job Titles:
  • Digital Media Producer

Suzette Eppler

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chair

Terri Lovitt

Job Titles:
  • Secretary

Tim Franco

Job Titles:
  • Staff Senate Representative

Tim Jares

Job Titles:
  • Dean of the College of Business and Technology
Tim Jares Dean of the College of Business and Technology jareste@unk.edu (308) 865-1547

Travis Reynolds

Job Titles:
  • Sponsored Programs & Research Development )

Tyler Pierce-Panowicz

Job Titles:
  • Staff Senate Representative