About Rebecca Vogt:
I grew up on a farm near Brunswick, Nebraska and have a bachelor's in agribusiness and a masters in survey research and methodology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My primary responsibility at Nebraska is conducting the Nebraska Rural Poll, an annual survey that monitors changes in Nebraska’s rural community life and gives local and state leaders a better understanding of the issues, challenges and concerns of our rural citizens. We are celebrating the 25th year of the Rural Poll in 2020 and I’ve been involved since its second year
What is your position at the University of Nebraska?
I am the Survey Research Manager for the Department of Agricultural Economics. In addition to conducting the annual Nebraska Rural Poll, I have also conducted numerous evaluations, community surveys, and marketing studies as well as actively participate in the Community Vitality Initiative in Nebraska Extension
What drew you to the University of Nebraska?
As a student worker in the Agricultural Economics department during my undergraduate studies, I learned about data collection and analysis. When I had the opportunity to manage the Nebraska Rural Poll, I knew it was a great fit for me. I love learning about new topics and providing information that will help rural Nebraska
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
I appreciated being able to complete my master’s degree in the then-new survey research and methodology program while working here. Working with rural communities similar to the one I grew up in has also been rewarding. I enjoy working with faculty, staff and extension educators who are doing important work in our state
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I am proud to have been a part of keeping the Nebraska Rural Poll going for 25 years. We’ve had to keep it relevant and timely to ensure that people will continue to complete it and that the data collected will be useful and significant to our readers. This wouldn’t be possible without our collaborations with other University faculty, state agencies, community/economic development groups and rural residents.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I play the piano and have sometimes been the one-woman pit crew for my husband’s dirt late model racing program.
What is your life like outside of work?
My husband Gale (whom I met while attending Nebraska) is a project engineer with the Manitou Group. We both enjoy sports, cheering on the Huskers, participating in church activities, and being outdoors. Gale races a dirt late model in the summers which keeps us pretty busy as well. We have one daughter, Meghan, who also graduated from Nebraska majoring in athletic training.