The Board of Regents is pleased to present a KUDOS award to Tiffani Hix, Director of the Project Management Office at UNL.
Tiffani built the Project Management Office from a promising concept into a highly valued university resource. She developed the processes, tools, and support structures that enable research teams to pursue and manage complex, multidisciplinary projects more effectively. Her leadership has strengthened UNL’s research enterprise and enhanced the university’s competitiveness for large-scale external funding opportunities.
Tiffani created the Nebraska Research Enterprise Apprenticeship Program. This two-year apprenticeship provides undergraduate students with foundational knowledge, hands-on experience, professional skills, and career coaching across the research enterprise. We recently welcomed the program’s third cohort. Participants from earlier cohorts are realizing impressive outcomes while earning prestigious fellowships, securing government positions, launching full-time careers at UNL and in higher education, and joining Nebraska-based companies.
Her nominators recognize that Tiffani’s impact extends well beyond the Project Management Office. She played a critical leadership role in the Business Simplified Initiative, chairing the Grants Administration team. She has continued to lead efforts to streamline research administration, improve operational efficiency, and expand professional development opportunities for research administrators across campus.
Tiffani’s ability to bring stakeholders together, navigate complex challenges, and develop practical solutions, improve both service and accountability. Faculty, administrators, and colleagues trust and respect her expertise, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment to the success of others. Making a lasting impact on UNL’s research enterprise, she exemplifies excellence in leadership and service.
Joining Tiffani today are her spouse, Michael Hix, her daughters, Rae (“Ray”) and Grace Hix, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Dr. Jennifer Nelson, and Becky Zavala, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. Please help me thank Tiffani Hix for her dedication to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.