Greetings from the New UNL Chancellor

Dr. Rodney D. Bennett is the 21st chancellor of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Nebraska’s flagship, Land-Grant and Big Ten institution. He is a 30-year veteran of higher education with a track record of growing research, increasing student success and building impactful partnerships.

Chancellor Bennett came to Nebraska after nine years of successful leadership at the University of Southern Mississippi. During his tenure as president, USM was reclassified from a Carnegie R2 to an R1 university, signaling growth in research prestige and funding. Dr. Bennett also invested in programs to support student recruitment, retention and outcomes, including for the 30 percent of USM students who were first-generation. His efforts led to an improvement in the university’s six-year graduation rate.

He also held roles at the University of Georgia for more than a decade, Winthrop University in South Carolina, and Middle Tennessee State University. Chancellor Bennett values community leadership and service. He has served on numerous boards, including the Mississippi Aquarium, Northeast Georgia Girl Scouts of America, Catholic Health East (Philadelphia), and St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens, Georgia. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Past Sire Archon for Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, The Boulé.

Dr. Bennett earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, a master’s degree in educational administration, and an education specialist degree from Middle Tennessee State. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from Tennessee State University. He and his wife, Temple, are the parents of two adult daughters, Colby and Logan.