Dear University of Nebraska Alumni,
I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who joined our recent University of Nebraska Alumni Town Hall. It was inspiring to connect with so many of you—whether you attended UNK, UNL, UNMC or UNO—and to hear your thoughtful questions. Your engagement is a powerful reminder of the stre¬ngth of our University community.
For those who couldn’t attend, or if you’d like to revisit our conversation, I invite you to watch the full recording of the Town Hall here. During our discussion, we covered a range of important topics, from recent state and federal developments to affordability. We couldn’t get to every question, so I’ve also provided written responses to many of the questions submitted by attendees, which you can access here.
At the Town Hall, I spoke about our University’s “odyssey to extraordinary.” This is more than a vision—it is a call to action for all of us. We are charting a bold course for the future, guided by five strategic pillars: Teaching and Learning, Research and Creative Activity, Partnerships and Engagement, Culture and Environment, and Stewardship and Effectiveness. I’d love to hear your thoughts on our strategic plan, which you can explore here. I encourage you to share your feedback directly with me at president@nebraska.edu.
"In this environment, advocacy is more important than ever. Our ability to fulfill our mission is directly tied to strong support from policymakers, business leaders, and the public."
The University of Nebraska stands at a crossroads of challenge and opportunity. Like many institutions across the country, we are navigating a complex landscape—marked by shifting public perceptions of higher education, changing workforce needs, economic pressures, and challenges at the state and federal level. At the same time, we are seizing opportunities to lead in critical areas including healthcare, agriculture and defense. We are addressing workforce shortages, conducting research that saves lives, and building partnerships that enhance our impact.
In this environment, advocacy is more important than ever. Our ability to fulfill our mission is directly tied to strong support from policymakers, business leaders, and the public. State and federal funding decisions, evolving regulations, and the broader national conversation about the value of higher education all impact our work. This is where you—our alumni—can play a pivotal role.
The Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee will be deliberating on the final state budget recommendation for the University of Nebraska over the next 2 to 3 weeks. On the afternoon of our budget hearing, a dedicated team of community members, University Regents and I had the opportunity to testify before this committee; my testimony can be found here.
After additional discussions and feedback from our community—and from you—the committee will advance a budget to the full body in late March for floor debate in April, with a final budget approval expected in mid-May.
As graduates of the University of Nebraska, you understand firsthand the transformative power of education. Your voices carry great weight in your communities and with key decision-makers. By sharing your story with your state senator and explaining what the university means to you, you can advocate for the investments that will keep the University of Nebraska thriving. And, by joining NU Advocates, you can find out more about critical legislative timing as well as learn how to amplify our important messages.
Thank you for all you do to support the University of Nebraska. I am deeply grateful for your continued involvement and look forward to working together to build an extraordinary future for our university.
With gratitude,
Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.
President, University of Nebraska