The University of Nebraska Board of Regents has officially hired Dr. Jeffrey Gold to be NU’s ninth president, confirmed on a 11-1 vote.
Dr. Gold is a first-generation college student, heart surgeon and longtime college administrator who for the last decade has led the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He also serves as the NU system’s executive vice president and provost, and will assume the president’s role on July 1, succeeding Interim President Chris Kabourek.
“I’m grateful to the Board of Regents for the trust they have placed in me to serve this institution that I believe is truly poised to build the future,” Gold said. “As a Nebraskan by choice, it has been an honor and privilege to work alongside our leadership teams, our faculty, staff and students, and leaders in elected office, business and the community for the past ten years. Most of all, I am inspired by what I see as the common thread that brings families from rural and urban communities across our state together: a deep desire for the very best educational experience for their children and grandchildren that will prepare them for lifelong learning and success.
Gold’s appointment concludes a national search launched last fall that included input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members and leaders in agriculture, business and philanthropy. He was named the Board’s priority candidate for president on March 20, after which he underwent a vetting period required by state law that included a dozen public events across Nebraska.
“As chair of the Board when we first brought Jeff Gold to Nebraska, this has come full circle for me,” said Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln, who chaired the presidential search committee. “I’ve come to know Jeff as a good friend and colleague, someone who listens to students and has truly made Nebraska his adopted home. I believe Jeff will bring the same success to the entire University of Nebraska that he has achieved at UNMC over the past decade and I’m confident he will devote his full energy to our ambitious goals for academic excellence, competitiveness and AAU readmission.”
Gold, 71, has served as UNMC chancellor and chair of the board of UNMC’s clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, since 2014. He assumed executive vice president and provost duties in 2021, becoming the university system’s chief academic officer and primary liaison to the Board for academic affairs matters.
Reporting to the Board, the president is the chief executive officer of the four-campus University of Nebraska System. The president is responsible for carrying out the strategic priorities of the Board and is the primary advocate to the Nebraska Legislature and other constituencies. Direct reports to the president include the campus chancellors and NU-wide chief business, academic, legal and information technology officers