About Brianne Wolf:
A Nebraska native, I moved back here just this July after spending the course of three academic years in Spain working for the Ministry of Education of Spain in its efforts to improve the country’s English proficiency and increase cultural exchange. I was also fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel widely through Europe as well as a few jaunts into the Caucasus area, parts of the Middle East and northern Africa, managing to see parts of 35 countries during my time there. Prior to that, I worked in the social-enviro business realm focusing on finding solutions beneficial to both people and planet as part of my work for the Arbor Day Foundation. I also have background in creative strategy, writing and general marketing communications acquired while with Archrival, Thought District and the Lied Center for the Performing Arts.
What is your position within IANR?
In addition to my duties as administrative associate for IANR Global Engagement, which include general office support and coordination assistance for international delegation visits and the IANR Global team’s foreign activity/travel, the role is also evolving in some ways to meet changing needs. On this front, I’m working to synthesize and communicate IANR's exciting global involvement on the threefold fronts of Research (ARD), Extension and Undergraduate/Graduate Academics (CASNR) using a variety of methods ranging from leveraging web, social media and collateral pieces to connecting and engaging with different parts of IANR, the university and university system.
What drew you to IANR?
As a proud UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications alumna, I’ve got a strong connection already to the University, but personally, I’ve always admired the research and progress happening in Lincoln that’s fueled heavily by UNL. Coming from rural Nebraska and growing up on a family farm, it’s just a great thing to see a university pull from its strengths and expertise in agriculture and natural resources and collaborate across disciplines to help address such urgent issues as food and water security, and our environmental outlook going forward.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
I love the high-level thinking/aspiration. It’s exciting to be in a place both full of potential and also equipped with the resources and global connections to make real impact.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Well, I haven’t really accomplished much yet, but perhaps just the act of striking out into the unknown and creating a life for myself and my husband in Spain, and all in a language that wasn’t our mother tongue: we were able to be a part of the community, work with amazing kids and teachers, and also travel and learn so much about the world.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I studied traditional studio dance all of my life until college, and then somehow voluntarily attended 6 a.m. practices for three years as part of the UNL Ballroom Dance Company, studying everything from swing to tango to Viennese waltz and dozens of styles in between.
What is your life like outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy biking and hiking; spending time in my garden (I have a plot in the Hawley Hamlet community garden project); working on my Spanish and other languages; cooking adventurously and daydreaming about future travel with my equally wanderlust-filled husband.