Nebraska
University of Nebraska Board of Regents candidate profile: Jerome Wohleb
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Jerome Wohleb is challenging Rob Schafer for his District 5 seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Also in the race is Gary Rogge.
District 5 includes southern Lancaster County and the counties of Seward, Saline, Jefferson, Thayer, Gage, Johnson, Pawnee, Richardson, Nemaha, Otoe and Cass.
We sent questionnaires to each candidate in the race. Responses from candidates are posted verbatim and not edited for spelling, grammar, or content.
Jerome Wohleb
District 5
Website: https://jeromewohlebforregent.com/
1. Please provide a brief overview of your background and what drives you to seek membership on this board.
I have been a faculty member for nine universities, participated on several non-profit Boards including leadership roles, I have attended all four Nebraska universities early in my career, and have had decades of experience leading change and improving cultures as a director in healthcare. I have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, a Master’s in Business Administration and over 30 years of growing programs while balancing budgets.
The Board of Regents is responsible for many decisions that are key to the future success of the university and the state. As a regent I want to bring needed change by addressing 1) the ongoing attrition in experienced and effective University leaders, 2) improve the university’s “average” national ranking, and 3) attract enough students to meet our labor needs for highly trained graduates.
2. What issues in higher education would you like to tackle?
Several issues present which are critical to the success of the universities and our Nebraska’s economy.
- 1. Access to a college education (due to high tuition costs & limited scholarships).
- 2. Perception or reality that a college education is not worth it (declining applicants for our universities)- UNL is the lowest return on investment in the Big 10 for student dollars.
- 3. Decline of qualified teachers, doctors, pharmacists, and many other professionals that we expect from our universities in our communities.
- 4. Disconnect between the Board of Regents and University leadership including multiple levels within the universities. Many are put in a position to compete for resources versus sharing or collaborating for better outcomes. This is causing recruitment problems, retention problems and discontent across all campuses.
- 5. Research is critical to build if we want to grow and use less tax dollars! Huge opportunity in this area.
- 6. Fiscally sound decisions to generate results for monies allocated. Spending less may be the answer, but generally it is about resourcing the needs appropriately to create growth which brings additional revenues. Imagine how new “billion-dollar industries” in Nebraska could make a difference! They will not come without our universities creating talented labor and opportunities.
3. The University system has had to face significant budget cuts over the last few years – how would you balance the budget and preserve programs for students?
Every leadership role I have had over the last 30 years has faced the same question and, in every situation, I have been able to increase value (preserve programs) and cut the budget. This is a complex question to answer without the facts available for me to address effectively. However, most organizations have waste, most organizations compete for budget dollars (operational or capital) that need prioritization. We need to work with our businesses, our partners in the communities, our external funding sources (endowments, grants, research, etc.) towards a common win-win solution. In general, you cannot keep cutting resources and expect to have a successful outcome.
4. How would you work to support the University’s efforts to recruit students from across the state and the country?
This is a very appropriate question and needs immediate action. Nebraska high school graduation rates are projected to decline by 15% creating fewer college applicants and a reduction of skilled graduates. We must be able to recruit students from beyond the Nebraska bounders to meet our needs in Nebraska. I have been able to double our department staffing over 10-years due to recruiting across the United States. We need to create an environment that students will want to come to Nebraska, whether that is an improved athletic program (volleyball is a great example) or academics that pull in faculty and research to grow our programs. Given the proper leadership, incentives and focus, students will come, especially if we create a reason for them to stay after university training.
5. In the last few years there has been quite a bit of leadership turnover at the University System. With a new President coming in, as well as other new administrators, how will you help keep those leaders in place and increase stability for the University of Nebraska?
This is a big reason why I am running for a Regent position. As I understand, the Regents may be part of the reason why they are leaving. During my campaign, I have visited with Deans, faculty and others about this topic. The general consensus relates to: ineffective communications and collaboration between the regents and many at the universities.
This is another primary reason why I am running for regent. There needs to be effective collaboration and alignment of strategies, a listening ear, and a culture change. These are related to top leadership which appears to be related to Board actions. We must be able to retain our top talent and build a growth mindset. We currently have two open presidential roles for two of our universities. It is very challenging to lead without key roles in place or expecting leaders to do multiple roles.
6. Research is a priority for the University. How would you support those efforts as a Regent?
I totally agree that research is and should be a top priority. However, it is challenging to bring in new research or faculty when we are cutting or eliminating programs. Although we have a start, we are not competing with the rest of the Big 10 universities. The technology growth in Indiana and Kansas is happening now. For example, Kansas University of Engineering is the only Tier-1 designated institution in the state and immediate region. Undergraduate engineering students at KU learn from and work alongside world-renowned faculty members in state-of-the-art facilities. We need to push more resources into research and partner with investors and businesses to grow more talent and development in Nebraska.
7. What are your thoughts on the leadership of the Athletic Department over the last few years? Is there anything you would do differently?
I was under the impression that the vast majority of Nebraskans respected and valued Trev Alberts in this role. If you look at the improvements for many programs, it would suggest he was creating many successful programs. I hope we are able to recruit and retain similar talent going forward.
8. What are your thoughts on renovating Memorial Stadium?
I do understand there is an interest to renovate the South end of Memorial Stadium, but I have heard mixed responses from both ticket holders and fiscal conservatives. I would recommend getting more feedback on the rationale to make sure it is both cost effective and desired by our loyal fan base, especially the current ticket holders.
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LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – In the two weeks since arriving on campus, Dana Holgorsen has spent most of his waking hours in the Huskers facility and film room.
In addition to prepping for Wisconsin, Nebraska’s new offensive coordinator said he is still learning the offense and players’ names. As for why he would want to take on such a gargantuan task midseason?
“I was bored,” he said with a laugh in his first time speaking to reporters. “I was slated to go back to Fort Worth on Sunday night and [Matt] Rhule called and said I need your help.”
While Holgorsen’s appointment officially runs through the end of the regular season, Rhule has stated he hopes the former Houston and West Virginia head coach stays in Lincoln. For now, Holgorsen is just focused on getting up to speed.
“I don’t know what December is going to look like, I don’t know what January is going to look like. I don’t care,” he said. “100 percent of my focus is trying to get our offense better to where we can win against Wisconsin Saturday.”
Holgorsen didn’t need to be here long to know the perimeter blocking needs work.
“There’s some good sized kids out there,” he said, identifying Janiran Bonner, Isaiah Neyor, Jahmal Banks and Carter Nelson by numbers only. “These guys are big bodies. I’m like ‘Why are you not blocking worth a crap on the perimeter?’ It’s embarrassing. First thing I said to them is that if you don’t start blocking out there, you’re not going to get the ball thrown to you. This past week was our best perimeter blocking of the season.”
Wisconsin has won 10 straight meetings with Nebraska, including four straight in Lincoln. An end to those streaks would finally give Nebraska win No. 6 and bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016.
“It’s shocking to me that it’s been that long that a program like this hasn’t been to a bowl game,” he said. “Doesn’t make any sense to me. But it is where we’re at. We tried everything we could to win that game last week, and we had a chance still. We’ll do everything we can this week and we’ll have a chance to.”
After Wisconsin fired OC Phil Longo over the weekend, Holgorsen will now be the veteran offensive coordinator Saturday against the Badgers.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Dana Holgorsen, the new offensive coordinator and playcaller of Nebraska football, took the stage on Tuesday for his first media availability since he arrived in Lincoln.
Unsurprisingly, if you have followed Holgorsen throughout his career especially during stops as head coach at Houston and West Virginia, the Huskers’ new OC gave point-blank honesty and matter-of-fact thoughts on the players in the building. Those evaluations were based solely on game film, practice reps and, as it should be, football-exclusive factors.
Afterward, Inside Nebraska’s Zack Carpenter and Tim Verghese jumped in front of the camera to break down Holgorsen’s first game calling the shots on offense against USC, what his next one against Wisconsin could or will look like, and a breakdown of his press conference interview.
Watch their analysis – plus the Holgorsen interview in its entirety – in the video links below and on the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel. Subscribe to our channel for FREE to get even more daily content on all things Nebraska. Listen to the audio version on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The No. 20 Nebraska women’s basketball team put out a statement in its first road trip of the early 2024-25 season. Behind a school-record 20 three-pointers, the Huskers destroyed South Dakota in a 113-70 thrashing at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls on Saturday.
Four NU players put up double-digit points, including a team-high 23 from five-star freshman Britt Prince in her second game after returning from injury. She was an outstanding 10-for-13 from the field with four assists. Reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Natalie Potts added 22 points with seven rebounds while Alexis Markowski (14), Kendall Moriarity (13) and Kendall Coley (12) also added to the stat sheet.
Nebraska shot over 63% from the field and went 20-for-34 from deep in a performance that will keep the Huskers’ confidence riding high going into Tuesday’s contest at home.
Here’s all you need to know as NU welcomes in North Alabama for a week night matchup.
How to Follow Along
Matchup: No. 20 Nebraska (4-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. North Alabama (2-2, 0-0 Atlantic Sun)
When: Tuesday, November 19
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE
Time: 7 p.m. CST
Watch: B1G+
Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
North Alabama Scout
Head Coach: Candi Whitaker | 1st Season | 233-224 (.510) Career HC Record | 7 WNBA Draftees, 2x DII NCAA Tournament Appearances | Past head coaching stops at Missouri Western (DII), Texas Tech and UMKC.
2023-2024 Record: 12-18 (8-8 Atlantic Sun, T-6th) | 1x Third Team All-ASUN, 1x ASUN All-Freshman Team | Did not qualify for the postseason.
All-Time Series: First meeting.
Fun Fact: North Alabama head coach Candi Whitaker is no stranger to the Huskers, despite it being the first meeting between the two programs. The starting point guard for Texas Tech during her playing days, Whitaker led the Red Raiders to a pair of victories over Nebraska. In 2001 Tech won 66-50 and followed up with a 99-57 thumping of NU in 2002.
Key Returners: Alyssa Clutter, G, Jr. | Veronaye Charlton, G, Soph. | Rhema Pegues, G, Jr. | Sara Wohlgemuth, G, Gr. | Katie Criswell, G, Soph. | India Howard, F, Jr.
Key Additions: Charity Gallegos, G, Sr. (Cal-State San Marcos) | Jazzy Klinge, F, Jr. (Johnson County CC) | Sarang West, G, Jr. (Allen CC).
Key Departures: Alexis Callins, G, Gr. (Union) | Allie Craig Cruce, F (Eligibility).
Outlook: It’s a new era for North Alabama women’s basketball in just the school’s third season as part Division I and the FCS after coming up from Division II. UNA did not renew the contract of former head coach Missy Tiber, who led the Lions to a 172-147 record over 11 seasons.
Instead, athletic director Josh Looney brought along his hire from Missouri Western Candi Whitaker. Looney hired Whitaker at MWSU in 2019, in which she led the Griffons to an overall record of 100-47 with an Division II Elite Eight Appearance in 2022, 2024 MIAA Regular Season Championship and 2024 MIAA Coach of the Year. Whitaker also brings key experience as a head coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (two postseason appearances) from 2006-12 and Texas Tech–her alma mater– where she averaged just over 10 wins a season.
The Lions are .500 early in Whitaker’s first season, beating UT Martin (66-63) and South Alabama (71-62) while losing to Tennessee Tech (73-64) and a most recent trip to Kansas (81-64).
Only two players averaged double-digit points last season and both Alexis Callins (Union) and Allie Craig Cruce (graduated) are both gone from the roster. However, the Lions returned most of their roster that went 12-18 in 2023-2024. Give credit to Whitaker, who unlocked the abilities of Cameron Jones (10.5 PPG) and Emma Kate Tittle (9.3 PPG) who were the bottom two scorers from last season.
Cal-State San Marcos transfer Charity Gallegas has been leading the way with 11.3 points per game with Clutter (7.8 PPG), Katie Criswell (6.8 PPG) and India Howard (5.8 PPG) all adding help. Transfer forward Jazzy Klinge has also provided four points and two rebounds per game off the bench. She came in from Allen Community College where she was a first-team NJCAA All-American last season.
For a program trying to find its footing in the Division I scene, a hire like Whitaker should spell confidence moving forward. However, it could be a painful couple years before seeing the rewards. A 10th-place voting in the ASUN preseason poll points toward a rough season, and the Huskers will most likely be their second consecutive blowout loss for the Lions.
MORE: Nebraska Volleyball Setter Claims Fourth Weekly Big Ten Conference Honor
MORE: Carriker Chronicles: Dawson Merritt on Choosing Nebraska Over Alabama & More
MORE: Huskers Have Two Chances for Win No. 6
MORE: Nebraska Volleyball Remains at No. 2 in Latest AVCA Rankings
MORE: What Will it Take for Nebraska Football to Turn the Corner?
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
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