Chancellor-Elect Ronnie D. Green assumed full authority as chancellor May 8, effectively becoming the 20th leader of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and commencing a new era of campus leadership.

“It’s a privilege and honor for me to serve as the chancellor of Nebraska’s flagship land-grant university,” Green said. “(It’s exciting) serving as the chancellor of UNL at a time where we’re building upon a 147-year-strong foundation … to become a bigger university – to serve more students and to serve them more efficiently and more effectively – as well as building our research and scholarship and our creative activity for our reach here in Nebraska and around the world.”

On April 6, University of Nebraska System President Hank Bounds appointed Green – who had served six years as the university’s vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources – to become UNL’s new leader. The appointment is pending the approval of the NU Board of Regents, which convenes May 27.

Reporting to the NU system president, the chancellor is the chief executive officer at Nebraska, which serves more than 25,000 students in nine academic colleges, employs more than 6,500 faculty and staff, has an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion and research expenditures of more than $275 million, and includes a nationally prominent Division I athletics program.

In an introductory video to campus, Green expressed enthusiasm and optimism that the university’s best days are ahead. He said students, faculty and staff, alumni as well as the city of Lincoln and the state of Nebraska look forward to “the time ahead – athletically, academically, creatively and in scholarship and research, where we seek to lead the world in being a great land-grant university.”

May 9 also marks a transition in leadership in other areas across campus. Marjorie Kostelnik assumes the post of interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Ron Yoder steps into the role of vice chancellor for IANR. Green served in both capacities before being named chancellor. Beth Doll will serve as acting dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences during Kostelnik’s tenure in academic affairs. The appointments are pending Board of Regents approval.

Green succeeds Harvey Perlman, who led the university through a period of unprecedented growth and change during his 16-year tenure as the university’s top leader.