Lincoln, Neb. —The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced the formation of a new IANR staff council.
The council is comprised of nine staff members from across IANR who will work together to enhance professional development opportunities for staff throughout the institute. The council will also serve as a liaison between IANR administration and its 1,200 staff members and will help staff members from different departments, units and research centers connect with others from outside their departments who have similar roles and duties.
More than 30 people were nominated for nine seats on the council, said IANR Associate Vice Chancellor Rich Bischoff. From that pool, the selection committee took care to choose a group representing a wide variety of duties, departments, experience and tenure at IANR. Each member will serve a three-year term.
The members of the inaugural IANR staff council are:
- Becky Carter, HR Specialist, IANR Business and Finance
- Christina Franklin, Office Associate, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
- Pam Joern, Financial Associate, Greater Nebraska Business Center
- Marissa Kemp, Financial Associate, AEM Business Center
- Casey Lundberg, Office Supervisor, Agronomy and Horticulture
- Terri Nihil, Associate Director, Nebraska Local Technical Assistant Program
- Sarah Plautz, Research Lab Manager, Biological Systems Engineering
- Tai Pleasant, Undergraduate Recruiter, Agronomy and Horticulture
- Angela Rushman, Project and Instructional Technologist, Nebraska Extension
“I am so happy that we will have in place a group interested in enhancing the professional life of our more than 1,200 staff members in the institute,” said Mike Boehm, Harlan Vice President and Vice Chancellor for IANR. “I am looking forward to the information, programming and opportunities for professional development that will be provided by this passionate group of people who reflect the talent and diversity of all staff members.”
The group will begin meeting monthly via Zoom yet this spring, Bischoff said, and will plan in-person events for IANR staff at locations across the state when it is safe to do so.
Over time, Bischoff hopes the staff council helps ensure that staff throughout IANR feel supported and valued and that they’re better able to connect with the resources they need to succeed.
“Our people are our biggest resource,” Bischoff said.
Writer: Cara Pesek, IANR Communications