The Director of Rural Prosperity Nebraska provides scholarly, strategic, and organizational leadership for efforts of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and the University of Nebraska to enhance community and economic vitality among rural communities statewide. The prosperity of rural Nebraska is a priority for Nebraska Extension, IANR, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska. The Director maintains productive ongoing relationships with the faculty and administrators of Nebraska Extension, the Agricultural Research Division (ARD), the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), the College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS), and the office of the NU Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor to ensure that efforts are coordinated. The Director serves on the ARD Director’s Council. The Director is responsible for setting, in partnership with the Program Leader of Rural Prosperity Nebraska, and informed by the faculty, stakeholders, and community leaders, the strategy for Rural Prosperity Nebraska and is accountable for ensuring progress is made. The Program Leader of Rural Prosperity Nebraska is the Director’s key strategic partner in advancing Rural Prosperity Nebraska. The quality of the working relationship with the Program Leader is critical to the success of the Director.
The Director fosters an inclusive culture in which all contributions to Rural Prosperity Nebraska are appreciated and recognized, collaboration and innovation are encouraged, and the abilities of all are engaged to fully realize the potential of the team and each contributor. The Director exemplifies the responsible management of resources to maximize the impact and effectiveness of those resources, and supports others in the responsible management of resources. The Director ensures opportunities are open to all, programs and initiatives are inclusive of all constituencies, and efforts are made to engage diverse audiences, especially those that are traditionally underrepresented. The Director creates a shared vision for Rural Prosperity Nebraska in partnership with the Program Leader of Rural Prosperity Nebraska and with input from faculty, staff, partnering stakeholders and community leaders. This shared vision will be continuously examined for relevancy and refreshed as needed.
The Director will develop and sustain a relevant high impact program of research and scholarship pertaining to community and rural development that will garner national recognition for excellence. The Director will mentor early and mid-career faculty members and graduate students conducting research and scholarly and creative works relevant to the many dimensions of rural people, communities and their prosperity.
Specific duties and responsibilities that may not be evident above include the following:
- Promote excellence in all facets of Rural Prosperity Nebraska.
- Continue an agenda of scholarly activity, building and sustaining a relevant high impact program of research and scholarship at UNL that serves as a model for rural prosperity research and scholarship.
- Create and nurture a vibrant network of rural scholars by creating opportunities and catalyzing interactions by faculty members from across UNL and the University of Nebraska that increases impact and reach of their research and scholarship.
- With the Program Leader of Rural Prosperity Nebraska, jointly develop and implement Rural Prosperity Nebraska’s strategic framework.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with entities across the University of Nebraska (e.g., campuses, colleges, academic units, research, extension and education centers) that have expertise, talent, initiatives, and potential to contribute to the rural prosperity of Nebraska.
- Nurture existing and seek out new collaborative relationships with external partners and organizations that align with or advance the shared strategic vision and initiatives of Rural Prosperity Nebraska.
- Develop and sustain positive relationships with rural stakeholders, including landowners, community leaders.
- Pursue scholarly pursuits and inquiry related to rural prosperity in Nebraska and beyond that advance the strategic goals of the University of Nebraska, UNL, IANR and Nebraska Extension.
- Obtain and leverage internal and external financial support for research and scholarly activities.
- Coordinate and partner with those leading the Thriving Index, Nebraska Source Link and the Rural Poll.
- Supervise the coordinator of the Rural Fellows Program and engage in efforts to ensure financial support of that program for its growth and sustainability.
- Provide guidance and assistance to academic units and divisions in recruiting and retaining faculty that will associate with and drive intentional outcomes and impact of Rural Prosperity Nebraska.
- Ensure that ongoing opportunities for capacity building and professional development are identified, designed and implemented.
- Manage financial and physical resources responsibly to maximize effectiveness, exhibit fiscal discipline and utilize best fiscal management practices.
- Engage in professional development to continually hone skills to effectively lead and manage Rural Prosperity Nebraska operations and initiatives.
- Communicate with transparency, integrity, and clarity to faculty, staff, students, partners and the citizens of Nebraska.
The Director is a faculty member within a tenure home academic unit. As such, the Director participates in faculty governance, including accepting committee assignments, fulfilling reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute and/or university level.