Tim Carr, associate vice chancellor and dean of graduate education, has announced that he will retire, effective Aug. 31.
He has served as the chief academic and administrative officer for graduate education at Nebraska for the past four years, overseeing and facilitating the strategic vision for graduate education, strengthening the quality of the university’s graduate programs, and developing strategies to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Since joining Nebraska’s faculty in 1996, the professor of nutrition and health sciences has served as graduate program chair for 14 years, chair of the department for six years, and acting associate dean in the College of Education and Human Sciences for a year before being appointed interim and then permanent associate vice chancellor and dean of graduate education. Prior to joining Nebraska, Carr held faculty appointments at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the University of Minnesota.
“I have devoted my professional career to educating and training students, particularly graduate students, and it has been an honor to help guide and continue the momentum of Nebraska’s graduate and postdoctoral education programs,” Carr said. “I am grateful to our faculty and support staff for adapting to the many changes we made in support of our graduate students and programs.”
Under his leadership, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln had the largest graduating classes of master’s and doctoral students in its history. He guided the creation of five new degree programs, 17 graduate certificates, and 84 degree specializations. He also created “The Graduate Report,” a weekly news and announcement bulletin for graduate students, and led monthly “Graduate Dialogue” sessions to foster ongoing communication within the graduate community.
“The university is profoundly grateful for Tim’s scholarship, collaborative leadership, and service to our institution,” said Elizabeth Spiller, executive vice chancellor. “He has brought a remarkable level of patience and attention to detail to furthering the excellence of our graduate programs and the opportunities for our graduate students across the university. His contributions have been transformational and we will miss him.”
Carr earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and Master of Science and doctoral degrees, both focused on food and nutrition sciences, from the University of Arizona. His research focuses on cholesterol transport in the body and how dietary factors influence cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. He has published more than 70 research articles, three textbooks, nine book chapters for textbooks, and numerous magazine and newspaper articles on diet and health issues.
He has received several research and teaching awards, including the Donald and Mary Lee Swanson Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004 and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education in 2010. He has been a consultant to the World Health Organization and private industry, and is on the editorial boards for two professional journals.
The search for the university’s next associate vice chancellor and dean of graduate education will be announced once a committee has been finalized.
