Lincoln – The University of Nebraska Board of Regents made history last Thursday by naming Susan M. Fritz, a 30-year veteran of the university who has served as executive vice president and pro­vost since 2012, as interim presi­dent-elect.

Fritz will become the first woman to lead the university since the system of­fice was created 51 years ago. However, by mutual agreement with the Board of Regents, Fritz won’t be a candidate for the per­manent job.

Fritz, a Nebraska native, first-generation college student, three-time NU alum and faculty member with decades of progressive lead­ership experience, will assume the title of interim president on Aug. 15, following the departure of cur­rent President Hank Bounds, ac­cording to a news release. She will remain in the role until the board completes its national search for the next president and her succes­sor is in place.

Board of Regents Chairman Tim Clare said the board sought to find someone who could keep the university’s momentum going. He said that Fritz “knows this univer­sity inside and out, and she has a deep appreciation for and connec­tion to our teaching, research and outreach missions, particularly in agriculture.”

“Most importantly, she makes every decision with our students’ interests in mind,” he said.

Fritz called the appointment a “privilege of a lifetime.”

“I know from personal experi­ ence that the University of Nebraska is a powerful force for change and growth for young people and com­munities alike,” Fritz said. “To have the opportunity to serve the univer­sity in this way, at a time of such great opportunity, is beyond what I would have thought possible.”

Fritz was raised on her fam­ily’s farm outside Lincoln, where the family raised beef and cattle and grew row crops. She continues to farm today. With her husband, Russell, she co-owns and co-oper­ates Fritz Family Farms in Crete, where the couple grow corn, soy­beans and alfalfa and run a cow/calf operation

Fritz earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, master’s in adult education and agricultural education, and doctorate in commu­nity and human resources, all from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Fritz joined the university in 1989 as an instructor in UNL’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. She earned tenure there in 1998. She became the department head in 2000 and held various leadership roles before being named associate vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

In 2009, Fritz became inter­im dean and director of UNL’s Agricultural Research Division and the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. In that role, she led the team that negotiated a wheat breeding partnership with Bayer Crop Science that vaulted UNL into the top 20 U.S. universities in tech­nology transfer revenue.

Fritz joined NU’s Central Administration office in 2011 as as­sociate vice president for academic affairs. She became interim execu­tive vice president and provost and dean of the graduate college in 2012 and assumed the permanent role two years later. 

As provost, Fritz is the univer­sity’s ranking academic officer, re­sponsible for oversight of the sys­tem’s teaching, research and service activities as well as NU’s offices of institutional research, global en­gagement, and diversity and inclu­sion. Fritz also oversees University of Nebraska Online, which provides access to more than 100 online programs, as well as the Nebraska Student Information System, a partnership between NU and the Nebraska State College System.

Bounds is stepping down after four years at the helm that have seen record growth in enrollment, research and student success, along with increased collaboration and ef­ficiency among campuses.

“Susan Fritz has been a trusted partner, advisor and friend over the past four years. The University of Nebraska could not be in better hands,” Bounds said. “I commend the Board of Regents on this historic appointment, and I congratulate Susan on this well-deserved new role. I look forward to seeing what the university will accomplish in the future.”

– University of Nebraska