Regents unanimously approve next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Thursday unanimously approved Neal Schnoor as the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Schnoor, who has served as president of Northern State University in South Dakota, will start in the position July 1 with a $355,000 salary. He succeeds former UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, who retired in May 2024 after 22 years, the longest chancellor’s tenure in NU history. Schnoor was a long-time UNK faculty member, from 1997 to 2010, and an administrator from 2012 to 2019.

Interim UNK Chancellor Charlie Bicak came out of retirement during the transition period.

Schnoor, talking with the Nebraska Examiner after his confirmation, said he is returning to the Kearney community, a home where he and his wife, Teresa, raised their two children. All had taken classes at UNK.

“It’s home for our family,” Schnoor said. “Very excited.”

Teresa Schnoor retired this spring after 18 years as principal of Kearney’s Central Elementary School. 

‘Coming home’: Neal Schnoor named finalist for University of Nebraska at Kearney chancellor

Neal Schnoor’s path to South Dakota also mirrors that of Nebraska Education Commissioner Brian Maher, who leads the Nebraska Department of Education. Schnoor said he would talk with Maher soon as they share a passion for teachers and a “pipeline of talent” for various careers.

Schnoor said he would work with Maher and others to visit schools, talk to superintendents and figure out how to increase the pipeline into careers or higher education.

First steps for Schnoor include getting out, listening, talking to constituents and learning what their vision is for UNK and how it matches to future strategic planning.

NU President Jeffrey Gold, who recommended Schnoor’s final approval, called him the “right person at the right time.” Gold on Thursday highlighted Schnoor’s “wealth of experience” and deep connections with UNK and Kearney.

Gold said NU would “not immediately” pivot to finding a permanent University of Nebraska Medical Center chancellor. Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies succeeded Gold when he ascended to president last year. Gold said NU would “absolutely” look at the three-year contract of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Rodney Bennett before it expires June 30, 2026.

The fourth NU chancellor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Joanne Li, who joined NU in 2021, has no end date listed in her contract.