Wendy Hind named vice president for university affairs

University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds said today that following a national search, he has named Wendy Hind, J.D., Ph.D., a senior strategist with 20 years’ experience in policy making, law and education, as NU’s new vice president for university affairs.

Hind, who has served as an associate professor and director of law, politics and society at Doane University in Crete since 2010, will begin her new role at NU Jan. 7, pending Board of Regents approval. She brings significant experience in governmental affairs and public policy, including roles as a policy advisor to Gov. Mike Johanns and legal counsel to the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

“As soon as I met Wendy, I knew she was someone who would be able to connect with the numerous and diverse stakeholders of the University of Nebraska,” Bounds said. “She understands Nebraska and its people and she has a deep appreciation for the role higher education plays in the success of our state. More importantly, she understands the importance of partnerships – and she has a proven record of building them.”

Johanns, a former U.S. Senator and Secretary of Agriculture, said: “Wendy Hind is an excellent choice for this important role at the University of Nebraska. She’s a bridge-builder who can help people find common goals and then execute a plan to achieve them. She is a skilled teacher, communicator and mediator who knows how public policy gets made. Congratulations to the university on this appointment.”

The vice president for university affairs is a member of the president’s executive cabinet and is responsible for promoting positive relations and outcomes between the university and its many constituents. As the senior member of the university affairs team, the vice president oversees a unit responsible for state and federal governmental relations, strategic communications and marketing, and event planning.

The search process was guided by a nine-member, university-wide search committee chaired by NU Executive Vice President and Provost Susan Fritz.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to build on the good work being done in telling the story of the many ways the university impacts our state, starting with the quality education we provide for Nebraska’s future workforce,” Hind said. “President Bounds and the leadership team at the University of Nebraska have a clear vision for joining with our partners in government, business, agriculture, education and in our communities to create a strong future for Nebraskans. I can’t wait to meet and learn from constituents within and outside the university and move forward together.”

Hind, raised in Lincoln, earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio, then a law degree and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Nebraska. She is a member of the Nebraska Bar Association and has published and presented on legal, policy and other topics. Prior to joining Doane, Hind was director of the Office of Dispute Resolution at the Nebraska Supreme Court, and then an independent government and policy consultant.

Hind and her husband, Peter, an architect, have three children.