Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss has officially begun her tenure as Interim Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and as Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources for the University of Nebraska system. Her appointment, which was announced in January and took effect June 1, follows the leadership of Dr. Mike Boehm, who served as IANR vice chancellor for more than eight years.
A proud Nebraskan and alumna of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), Heng-Moss brings more than two decades of experience advancing the university’s land-grant mission across teaching, research and Extension. Her career has been driven by a passion for education and research and a deep commitment to serving Nebraska’s people and communities.
“I’m honored to begin this new role and continue serving IANR, the university, and the state I call home,” said Heng-Moss. “IANR is a powerful engine for progress in Nebraska, and I’m excited to help grow our impact—locally, nationally, and globally.”
Heng-Moss joined the UNL faculty in 2001, holding appointments in teaching, research, and Extension. Her teaching portfolio included undergraduate and graduate courses in introductory entomology, pest management, plant resistance to insects, and the undergraduate capstone experience. She has mentored dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, many of whom have gone on to lead in academia, industry and public service.
Her research has focused on developing crops with resistance to insect pests and understanding plant defense mechanisms, with applications across several of Nebraska’s major cropping systems. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and served as principal or co-investigator on over $70 million in teaching and engagement grants and $8 million in research funding.
In her Extension work, Heng-Moss has connected directly with producers across the state, translating research into practical, real-world solutions. She also partnered with K–12 schools to support food, energy, and water systems education and inspire young Nebraskans to pursue careers in agriculture and natural resources.
From 2017 to 2025, she served as dean of CASNR, where she provided visionary leadership in advancing academic innovation, workforce development, and student success. She led the development and implementation of interdisciplinary academic credentials, a graduate education framework, Nebraska’s first education compact, articulation pathways, and a comprehensive student success roadmap.
During her tenure, CASNR welcomed more than 3,500 new undergraduates, including the largest incoming class in the college’s history. The college conferred over 6,000 degrees, increased its 4-year graduation rate by 10 percentage points, and achieved the highest 6-year graduation rate on record.
Looking ahead, Heng-Moss said her focus is on listening, learning, and maintaining momentum in key strategic areas.
“Every day across Nebraska, IANR is driving innovation and making a difference—from advancing precision and digital agriculture, preserving our natural resources for future generations, and fueling the bioeconomy, to linking food systems to health outcomes, fostering rural economic prosperity, and preparing the next generation of change-makers,” she said. “We are at the intersection of some of the world’s most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities, and I’m proud to work alongside the incredible people of IANR to shape what’s next.”
For more information on the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, visit ianr.unl.edu.
