Kathryn Ankerson, the academic leader who directed the revitalization of the School of Architecture, has been appointed to the University of Nebraska – the incoming Executive Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Lincoln.
Selected through internal research, Ankerson will take up the new position on January 18, the first day of the university’s spring semester.
“Kathy is the right leader at the right time for this very important role,” Chancellor Ronnie Green said in an announcement on January 10 for the campus. “She is a collaborative, inclusive and strategic leader who will take a ‘what if’ approach in this vital role to our academic mission and help move us forward.”
An award-winning author and leader in design education, Ankerson has served as Dean of the School of Architecture since July 2016. Previously she was Professor and Chair of Interior Architecture and Product Design at Kansas State University and served as Professor and Associate Dean at Nebraska from 1996 to 2011.
Under her leadership as dean, the School of Architecture thrived, particularly in faculty achievement and student success. Key metrics include 24% of architecture faculty with the highest academic and professional honors; improve the six-year graduation rate from 50.9% to 71.9%; The five-year employment rate for college graduates ranges between 95% and 100%.
She also played an active role in the university N150 Committee and N2025 The steering committee that helps in shaping the vision and strategic objectives of the organization.
“I am honored, honored and delighted to have this opportunity to lead the academic project in Nebraska,” Ankerson said. “Our university is a place where every person and every interaction counts. I look forward to building on our shared momentum, our firm belief in the transformative power of education, and our ability to make a positive difference in this world.”
Ankerson, International Association of Interior Design’s 2020 Instructor of the Year, advocates interdisciplinary and interdisciplinary engagement, the value of design and manufacturing, and the adoption of new technologies to enhance traditional design tools. Its leadership focuses on advancing inclusive innovation and celebrating differences and excellence across academic disciplines.
She led the Nuckolls 20th Anniversary Lighting Scholarship, which included nine teachers in architecture, interior design, and engineering and lighting design, and represented four major universities. The project produced the award-winning web-based (Design) Lighting Curriculum.
An architect and designer, Ankerson has held academic positions at Radford University and Washington State University. She received her Master’s, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Washington State University.
Sharon Koska has been appointed interim dean of the School of Architecture. Koska is a Nebraska alumnus who has served as a faculty member at the college for 35 years and, since 2018, has been the associate dean of the faculty and academic programs.
Details of the search for a new dean for the college will be announced.
The Nebraska Executive Vice Chancellor reports directly to the Chancellor, who is the principal academic officer and is the responsible authority in the advisor’s absence. The position leads and coordinates the academic institution of the university. University academic deans, other than those at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, report directly to the Deputy Executive Director.
Bob Wilhelm, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, has served as interim Executive Vice-Chancellor since November 20. The position was previously held by Elizabeth Spiler.
The research committee was chaired by Co-Chairs Sherry Jones, Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. and Steve Colby, Senate President and Associate Professor at the Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film.
Learn more about the Nebraska Office of the Executive Vice Counsel.