My Platform
Be Accountable - Earn Trust
The University manages over $3 billion every year- 20% of which is publicly funded by YOU and your taxes.
My top priority is to restore confidence in our board and in the NU system. With staff turnover, long leadership searches, rapid hires and other challenges, current public opinion is clear.
I entered this election because I wanted to make a difference — not just talk about it. Ensuring that you have confidence in NU leadership is my highest priority. Components such as tuition, the AAU, staff retention, consolidation, and high costs are all part of that.
It all starts with trust.
Stop the "Brain Drain" and Lower Tuition
Nebraska is losing college graduates at a record high- and that rate is growing. Your Board of Regents must work to attract and retain students and high-performing employees.
This includes affordable tuition for in-state students.
State appropriations are 20% of NU's total 2023 budget- tuition is only 10%. Nebraska students currently get a 65% discount on tuition compared to out of state students.
You and I already invest in NU through our taxes. Lowering tuition for our in-state students is not our biggest financial threat. We can attract more out-of-state students, further reduce costs in administrative consolidations, and make up any difference. Keeping grads in Nebraska attracts new businesses, to pay new taxes, and keep that tuition low.
We have Fortune 500 companies in Nebraska- we can keep our smart graduates here!
Diversity
We are a diverse community scattered across a vast state. Nebraska's diversity makes us strong. From Omaha to Scottsbluff, it spans political party, race, ethnicity, orientation, ability, religion, and age.
What else does that diversity look like?
Some of the students I've heard from include veterans, working parents, rural students, first-generation graduates, low-income households, homeschoolers, students that have struggled academically, students battling mental health, and so many more.
We need to focus on helping our students succeed, whoever they are.
Innovate and Lead
Nebraska is a center for innovation and research. Our departure in 2011 from the AAU hurt our ability to fund research at the caliber we are capable of. Returning to the AAU, the most prestigious research organization in the world, will be a key focus.
We offer one of the first degrees in Artificial Intelligence. We have experts in bio-warfare security, precision agriculture, and medicine. We are not just competitive, we are among the best in the world.
Want to donate?
This is a grassroots campaign. No donation is necessary, but your support and commitment to improving our State's education is invaluable.