Priorities
Our university must be an engine, not a museum.
My plan focuses on moving past rhetoric to focus on building a University that is affordable, competitive, and ready for the challenges of the future.
Accessibility & Affordability
With average student debt in Nebraska reaching $32,000, we must ensure a public university education remains attainable and worth the investment.
My Commitments
- Limit tuition and fee increases to keep costs predictable and responsible for Nebraska families.
- Expand work-study and paid internships to reduce the financial burden on students while increasing employability.
- Create flexible entry points including seamless transfers, dual enrollment, and adult-learner pathways to meet students where they are.
- Track student success by using system-level goals that reward improvements in retention, persistence, and completion.
Building a Next-Generation Institution
As rapid technological change and AI reshape the global economy, our university must function as a strategic asset that links research to future prosperity.
My Commitments
- Grow innovation ecosystems that translate university research into startups, new industries, and good-paying jobs.
- Integrate AI and technological training across all disciplines to prepare graduates for a world being remade by great change.
- Embed “work-and-learn” models like co-ops and project-based courses that connect students to real-world challenges.
- Require public reporting on economic-impact metrics, industry partnerships, and graduate outcomes in dynamic sectors.
Quality and Value for Students & the State
To combat the loss of 6,000 young residents annually, we must ensure graduates leave with the specific skills and experience required to thrive in Nebraska.
My Commitments
- Align academic programs with real workforce needs to strengthen pipelines for healthcare, STEM, and education.
- Partner with employers and nonprofits to expand experiential learning and applied research opportunities.
- Blend technical and human skills—including critical thinking and creativity—to prepare graduates to solve problems and lead.
- Preserve a strong liberal arts education that prepares informed graduates to participate responsibly in civic life.
Strong Governance and Principled Leadership
In an era of tightening budgets and strained public trust, Regents must provide the disciplined, transparent governance necessary to ensure a strong return on investment.
My Commitments
- Prioritize fiscal oversight that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
- Foster an intellectually diverse campus grounded in civil discourse, academic freedom, and mutual respect.
- Build public trust through consistent communication and performance-informed funding tied to clear goals.
- Stay mission-centered by providing leadership that focuses every campus and department on a shared vision.