Nebraska Board of Regents name UNMC chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Gold as priority candidate for university president
The Nebraska Board of Regents named a priority candidate to be the new university president.
On Wednesday morning, the regents nominated Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., currently the chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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All regents spoke in favor of Gold, who accepted the designation, at Wednesday's meeting.
Gold met with reporters Wednesday and said that he's excited and humbled to show off the benefits of higher education.
Wednesday's designation now triggers a 30-day vetting period required by state law, where Gold will schedule a series of public forums, meeting with students, staff, and stakeholders from Omaha to Lincoln and Kearney.
On April 19, regents are expected to vote on his confirmation, and said he's expected to take office between May and June.
The regents also thanked interim president Chris Kabourek for his work leading the university system.
The university system says Gold is a nationally recognized leader who advocates for higher education and healthcare.
His experience at UNMC, UNO, and the university system sold regents on his ability to reinstate the university's AAU membership.
Gold also served as the chancellor of the University of Nebraska Omaha from 2017 to 2021.
He said he got a call from Gov. Jim Pillen congratulating him Wednesday morning.
Gold told reporters their visions for the university are highly aligned, and that he doesn't believe there's a difference of opinion when asked about diversity and equity inclusion in Nebraska.
"We need to be a welcoming organization for all students. And faculty and staff that want to be part of our organization and frankly, to build that deeply into our culture of valuing and learning from multiple opinions," Gold said.
He added that differences of opinion are being tested widely across the country, but said he worked with the governor when he was a regent over the past decade.