Julie Peterson has been named the interim director of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC) in North Platte. Her appointment follows longtime director Kelly Bruns’ selection as the interim dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.
Peterson, an entomologist and extension specialist, currently serves as associate director of WCREEC and leads the center’s Agroecosystems Entomology Lab. Her research has addressed topics including biological pest control, pesticide resistance, insect behavior, and food web dynamics, with a strong emphasis on practical solutions for agricultural producers.
In her new leadership role, Peterson will continue her own research and outreach efforts while also guiding WCREEC faculty in pursuing research and extension funding, supporting faculty through promotion and tenure processes, and fostering statewide and national collaborations. She will also contribute to implement the strategic vision for UNL’s statewide network of research, extension and education centers.
“I’m honored to step into this role and continue working with the incredible team at WCREEC,” Peterson said. “This center plays a vital role in advancing agricultural science and supporting producers across Nebraska. I’m excited to help expand our impact through collaborative research, innovative outreach, and support for our talented faculty, staff and students.”
“Dr. Peterson is an extremely accomplished scientist, as well as a strategic team member and natural leader,” said Derek McLean, dean and director of the Agricultural Research Division within UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “She is a great fit in this position, and I am confident she will advance the important work of the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center.”
Peterson earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and her Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. She joined WCREEC in 2014 and has since become a key figure in entomology research and education across Nebraska.
The West Central Research, Extension and Education Center serves as a hub for field-based research and outreach that supports agriculture, natural resource stewardship, and economic development in western Nebraska. The center includes 1,800 acres of pastureland, dryland, and irrigated cropland, where faculty and graduate students from across UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources conduct applied research.
