Jane Meza, PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics alumna, and Kendra Schmid, PhD, former Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institutes instructor, are two of three newly appointed interim academic leaders in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Office of Academic Affairs and in Graduate Studies.
Dele Davies, MD, interim chancellor of the UNMC, announced the appointments July 8.
Effective immediately following the announcement:
- Meza became interim vice chancellor for academic affairs.
- Schmid became interim dean of graduate studies and interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.
- Karen Gould, PhD, became interim executive associate dean of graduate studies and interim assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Schmid earned both her master's degree in 2004 and doctorate in 2007 from the UNL Department of Statistics. Between 2014–2017, she taught statistics courses for middle- and high-school teachers through the CSMCE Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institutes.
"I am excited to welcome this team," Davies told UNMC Strategic Communications.
"Throughout her career at UNMC, Dr. Meza has proven an innovative, inspirational and thoughtful leader," Davies said. "She has played an integral role on many fronts, including helping to lead the campus through the COVID pandemic and expanding UNMC’s global presence. She has worked with colleges and institutes across the university, and she brings a proven record of leadership success.
"Dr. Schmid also has been an innovator and has been an impactful voice for UNMC accreditations and student enrollment efforts."
Davies added, "This is a strong team of leaders, who each has a demonstrated record of academic innovation and achievement. They have played valuable roles in such recent successes as our threefold increase in applicants, 62% increase in enrollment at the graduate college and a 12% reduction in student attrition. These are just a few of their many successes—and I am certain there are more to come."
Meza, who has served as the UNMC associate vice chancellor for academic affairs since 2023, told UNMC Strategic Communcations she was excited for the new role.
"I am excited and honored to be the interim vice chancellor for academic affairs," Meza said. "I look forward to working with our UNMC community to further create enriching learning experiences for students and trainees and to cultivate the ongoing professional growth of faculty."
In her new role, Meza will continue her work in global engagement and strategic planning at UNMC. She has previously held numerous leadership positions in the UNMC College of Public Health and Department of Biostatistics.
Schmid was named UNMC assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs in 2020 and UNMC executive associate dean of graduate studies in 2022. She served as interim chair of the UNMC Deparment of Biostatistics and has held positions as a professor and UNMC’s academic liaison to the Higher Learning Commission.
"I’m looking forward to this new role and continuing the strong course set for Graduate Studies under Dr. Davies’ leadership to ensure our students are supported and well-positioned for success," Schmid said. "I’m grateful for the opportunity to support UNMC, colleagues and students during this time of transition."
"Students are the heart of UNMC," Davies said. "As the interim chancellor, I know that, with Drs. Meza, Schmid and Gould in these important roles, our students’ success will continue to be at the forefront of everything we do."
Read more: https://www.unmc.edu/newsroom/2024/07/08/interim-chancellor-davies-names-new-interim-academic-leaders-at-unmc/