The University of Nebraska has announced two new leadership appointments at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.
Kelly Bruns, current director of the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte, has been named interim dean of NCTA and Interim director of partnership engagement in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Joining him in leadership is Jennifer McConville, who has been reappointed as NCTA associate dean of academic innovation, learner success, and career pathways. McConville will also hold an interim courtesy appointment in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she will work to leverage partnership opportunities between NCTA and CASNR.
“These appointments represent a key step in realizing a shared vision for agricultural workforce education in Nebraska,” said Mike Boehm, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Dr. Bruns is a trusted leader with a deep understanding of Nebraska’s ag ecosystem. Dr. McConville brings vision, experience, and energy to expanding innovative, student-centered experiential learning. Together, and in greater partnership with CASNR and Nebraska’s Community Colleges, they are well-positioned to grow NCTA and support student success in ways that advance Nebraska’s ag workforce needs.”
As interim dean, Bruns will lead efforts to enhance academic programs, build strong partnerships, and recruit students to meet the evolving needs of Nebraska’s agricultural workforce. He will collaborate with high schools, alumni, communities, and industry stakeholders to ensure that the education offered at NCTA reflects the latest developments in agriculture and natural resources.
“It is an honor to serve NCTA and Nebraska’s agricultural industry in this role,” said Bruns. “In Nebraska, where one in four jobs is tied to agriculture, preparing students for careers in this sector is both a responsibility and a privilege.”
Bruns will also guide NCTA through a period of transition and innovation as it aligns more closely with CASNR. This alignment will expand access to IANR’s statewide living laboratory, create dual-enrollment opportunities, and open new doors for students at both institutions to benefit from education pathway programs that leverage the strengths of each institution.
In her expanded role, McConville will work closely with CASNR leadership to ensure that NCTA students can access CASNR coursework and experiences—and vice versa. This collaboration will empower students from both institutions to develop the technical, academic, and industry-ready skills needed to succeed in agriculture’s future.
“This is an exciting moment for NCTA and CASNR,” said McConville. “By building stronger academic bridges and offering hands-on learning opportunities, we’re creating a more accessible and relevant educational experience for students across the state. I’m proud to help lead that effort.”
The leadership transition comes as Dean Larry Gossen prepares to retire in June 2025. Since 2020, Gossen has led NCTA through a period campus revitalization and commitment to workforce development. Under his leadership, the college completed major infrastructure repairs, deepened community ties, and expanded continuing education—highlighted by the launch of a USDA-funded meat processing curriculum and a $6 million gift to renovate NCTA’s historic barn into a student success and activity center.
Bruns has served as director of WCREEC since 2016 and is nationally recognized for his expertise in beef cattle management. He taught for 20 years at the college level before joining UNL in 2014. Interim leadership for WCREEC will be announced soon.
These leadership appointments support a broader strategic realignment between NCTA and CASNR announced in late 2024. The partnership aims to create seamless academic pathways and strengthen Nebraska’s leadership in technical, digital, and precision agriculture.
“Agriculture is the lifeblood of Nebraska,” said NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “This realignment ensures we continue delivering cutting-edge, student-focused education that equips tomorrow’s workforce with the tools to lead and thrive in our state’s vital ag industry.”
A national search for NCTA’s next permanent dean will begin later in 2025.
For more information about NCTA and its programs, visit https://ncta.unl.edu.
