Lincoln, Neb. —Michael Bergland-Riese, communications coordinator for Nebraska Extension at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, has received a Kudos Award from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Bergland-Riese was recognized during the June 23 Board of Regents Meeting.
Bergland-Riese joined UNL in 2012 and consistently empowers colleagues to develop, implement and promote Nebraska Extension programming using strategic communications and marketing strategies. His natural ability to lead has resulted in his co-chairing of the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gender and Sexual Identity. Bergland-Riese leads programming efforts for the commissions which included NU participation in the Star City Pride Festival and Parade and is a facilitator in the Braiding Sweetgrass book club, which is sponsored by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Vice Chancellor’s Office.
His exemplary organizational skills were put on display during the past several years during the historic flooding in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent wildfires and ongoing drought conditions. In a time when uncontrollable circumstances were wreaking havoc on Nebraskans, Bergland-Riese revitalized a flood.unl.edu website in no time, and filled the site with relevant content and gathered resources from Nebraska Extension educators from across the state’s 93 counties to transform it into a central hub for flood victims – allowing the disaster team to focus their efforts on the ground.
During the pandemic, Bergland-Riese again demonstrated his leadership skills, communicating with extension offices across Nebraska on the latest recommendations and university policies related to COVID-19. His efforts played a vital role in keeping 84 Nebraska Extension offices across the state fully operational and providing critical resources to all Nebraskans.
“Mike is deserving of the award for many reasons. He has a natural ability to lead, embraces learning opportunities and effortlessly develops strong professional relationships,” says Jessie Brophy, director of external relations for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources who nominated Bergland-Riese for the Kudos Award.
Mike Bergland-Riese and his husband Nick live in Lincoln. Bergland-Riese is originally from Holstein, Nebraska.