by Jackie Ostrowicki, Assistant Vice President, External Relations and Director of Marketing, Brand and Digital Media, University of Nebraska System
On July 1, 2024, Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. began his term as the University of Nebraska System’s ninth president. A first-generation college student, heart surgeon and longtime college administrator, Gold is no stranger to our university.
For the last decade, he has led the University of Nebraska Medical Center through a period of record growth. Along with serving as UNMC chancellor and chair of the board of UNMC’s clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, Gold assumed executive vice president and provost duties in 2021, becoming the university system’s chief academic officer. And, from 2017 to 2021, Gold concurrently held the role of University of Nebraska at Omaha chancellor, leading the state’s metropolitan university.
You might say that Gold is comfortable wearing many different hats.
Born in Manhattan, he is a product of the New York City public school system. He grew up in humble circumstances and attended Cornell University on scholarships, graduating with a degree in engineering.
He met his wife, Dr. Robin Hayworth, while they were both in college. Gold and Hayworth wed before attending medical school together at the Weill Cornell College of Medicine; they are celebrating 50 years together this summer.
Gold completed his general surgery residency at The New York–Presbyterian Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he later served as the administrative chief resident. He completed his cardiothoracic surgical fellowship training at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston with additional training in pediatric cardiac surgery at the Boston Children’s Hospital, both of Harvard Medical School.
After completing his medical training, Gold served in academic and clinical leadership roles at the Weill Cornell College of Medicine and New York Presbyterian Medical Center. He taught as a professor and was division chief of children’s cardiac surgery, where he was an active academic cardiac surgeon. He also served at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine as professor, department chair and heart center director.
On 9/11, Gold was asked to join the trauma team working at Ground Zero. “I remember being able to reach up and hold the air in my very hand,” he reminisced. The experience brought home that life is fleeting; Gold decided that making
a difference would be his legacy.
He began by moving to Ohio to become chancellor of the University of Toledo’s academic and clinical health sciences, where he led five colleges and graduate studies. His next stop would be Nebraska.
Gold likes to say that he is a Nebraskan not by birth, but by choice.
He has put his time in Nebraska to good use, transforming UNMC through high-impact facilities and initiatives. He brought together Nebraska Medicine and UNMC under a single governance structure; grew UNMC research grants and contracts from $89 million to $250 million; raised over $800 million in private philanthropy; and expanded programming across rural and urban Nebraska.
“I really began to appreciate the breadth and depth of our 500-mile-wide campus,” he said.
His time as chancellor of UNO focused on supporting students and elevating community partnerships and engagement – both core to UNO’s mission and values. “The really great universities of our country all have large, successful urban campuses,” Gold said.
As he recruited faculty and grew UNO’s research portfolio, Gold also strengthened and grew UNO/UNMC collaboration. Examples include UNO’s Biomechanics Research Building and the Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP), which provides a direct pipeline to medical school at UNMC for students who want to provide healthcare to underrepresented communities.
At both UNO and UNMC – and now, at the University of Nebraska System – Gold focused on partnerships and on people. “Surround yourself with the very best people, make sure they have the resources they need, and stay out of their way. That is how great things happen,” he said.
“Whether faculty, staff, students or community partners, it’s important to work together to create excellence and to face challenges. The way we treat one another underscores our success.”
Collaboration and transparency are important values to Gold. A servant leader, he is focused on listening and learning as he continues to build trust and relationships.
Gold is excited about the journey ahead. “I believe that great things are in store. Every tool we need is already in the tool chest,” he said. As he looks toward the future, he believes there is immense opportunity:
“We all want to see a thriving University of Nebraska that every young person dreams of attending – a university poised to change the world.”
NEW DEANS
New Deans Look Back and Look Forward
Like Gold, UNO’s four newest deans were all promoted from within. Together, they have a combined 85 years of experience at and service to the university. We asked each of them: What are you most proud of during your time at UNO and what is your vision for the future?
Gaylene Armstrong, Ph.D.
Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service
LOOKING BACK
I am most proud of our success in developing a vibrant faculty and student culture. This collective strength has fostered nationally-ranked academic excellence, increased our community-engaged research portfolio by over $12 million, and strengthened partnerships with agencies and nonprofits organizations across Nebraska – in turn, creating student opportunities that are unparalleled in the nation.
LOOKING FORWARD
I most welcome this leadership opportunity to elevate and optimize our community collaborations locally and globally to the benefit of Nebraska. Growing a dynamic, inspirational and talented faculty will help attract, develop and graduate students who will be foundational in generating solutions to the complex challenges and social issues. Key to success will be the integration of emerging technology, expansion of our research portfolio and nationally ranked academic programs.
Melanie Bloom, Ph.D.
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
LOOKING BACK
The work that we have done to recruit and retain talented students in the College of Arts and Sciences is extremely impactful. I have had the privilege of developing several scholarship programs to support new and returning students in the college. Through my involvement in these programs, I have developed a better understanding of our students’ struggles but also their strengths. Witnessing their journeys at UNO and celebrating their successes is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
LOOKING FORWARD
The sky’s is the limit for UNO’s College of Arts and Sciences. My vision for the future includes increasing support for our students, financially, academically and social-emotionally. I also hope to elevate the amazing work being done by our faculty. This includes promoting the impact of their teaching and research in the UNO community and beyond. Finally, I hope to develop a stronger alumni network to ensure that students’ relationships with college endure beyond their time with us.
Juan Casas, Ph.D.
Dean of Graduate Studies
LOOKING BACK
I am a firm believer in the transformative ability of education. UNO offers a wide selection of graduate programs with world-class faculty that provide students with the training they need to find good jobs. Our graduates are well-positioned to confront the challenges and embrace opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Moreover, they also add creatively to our culture across different artistic mediums. I am incredibly proud that we have set enrollment records for two of the last three years and have grown the number of underrepresented students pursuing graduate education.
LOOKING FORWARD
This is an exciting time to be in higher education and graduate education in particular. The future will continue to be about meeting students where they’re at and offering the programming they need to be successful while meeting the workforce needs of the state, region and country. Flexible micro-credentials, certificates and degrees provide the options for training, upskilling and reskilling students need. I look forward to continuing to elevate and celebrate the work of our students and faculty. I am incredibly proud and humbled to be a part of the collective teamwork and professionalism exhibited by the Office of Graduate Studies staff, UNO administration, College Deans, faculty, and staff in service of our students, alumni and their lifelong learning needs.
Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D.
Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services
LOOKING BACK
I am perhaps most proud of my collaborative work in STEM Education that contributed to many UNO National Science Foundation grants, and that helped us to become a national leader in STEM and to my appointment on NSF’s Advisory Board for the Improvement of Undergraduate STEM Education.
LOOKING FORWARD
My vision builds upon that collective journey and strives to support our amazing faculty and staff in their many shared innovations for our students, while also facilitating that excellence that we can only accomplish together.
