Laurie Bellows has been selected as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s interim vice chancellor for student affairs, and Tim Carr has been appointed to the post of interim associate vice chancellor and dean of graduate education.

Donde Plowman, the university’s executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, made the announcements April 27. Both administrators will step into their new roles July 1; the appointments are pending Board of Regents approval.

“Dr. Bellows has provided excellent leadership as acting dean of graduate studies, where she provided oversight of graduate recruitment, admissions and student support services,” Plowman said. “She has worked closely with deans, department and graduate chairs and faculty across campus, and provided leadership for graduate student development. Her practical experience and working knowledge of student affairs as well as the university establishes her as the right person for the interim position.”

A search for a permanent vice chancellor will begin in fall 2018, Plowman said. Juan Franco, who has led the Division of Student Affairs since 2006, announced March 31 that he would step down July 1 to join the faculty of the College of Education and Human Sciences.

“I know the student affairs team will welcome and support Dr. Bellows in her interim leadership role as student affairs transitions to its next chapter,” Plowman said.

Bellows, a professor of practice in educational psychology, was associate dean of graduate studies before being named last year as acting dean. In addition to directing the McNair Scholars Program, Bellows is the university’s Higher Learning Commission accreditation liaison and led the university’s most recent and successful re-accreditation process. She will continue as the university’s HLC liaison.

“At Nebraska, faculty and staff have a tradition of being committed to student learning and development,” Bellows said. “I am looking forward to working with Chancellor (Ronnie) Green, Executive Vice Chancellor Plowman and the talented staff in the Division of Student Affairs as we continue to build upon an already strong foundation.”

Bellows has more than 18 years of experience in teaching, learning and student development. Before moving into her role as associate dean, Bellows was assistant dean and director of graduate student development in the Office of Graduate Studies. Bellows earned her doctorate in psychological and cultural studies from Nebraska.

Carr will become interim associate vice chancellor and dean of graduate education. In this role Carr will be the chief academic and administrative officer for graduate education at the university. Carr’s responsibilities will include setting the strategic vision for graduate education and for the Office of Graduate Studies while working with other deans, department chairs and program chairs to advance graduate and postdoctoral education across the university.

“Chancellor Green’s ambitious goals for graduate education make this role, which has been significantly re-crafted from what it was before, extremely important,” Plowman said.

A member of Plowman’s senior leadership team, Carr will also collaborate with the provost and the executive graduate council within the four-institution University of Nebraska system.

Carr is currently department chair and the Jean Sundell Tinstman Professor of Nutrition and Health Sciences. He was previously acting associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Carr has been a faculty member at Nebraska since 1996; he previously had faculty appointments at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the University of Minnesota.

Carr earned his master’s in food science and his doctorate in nutritional 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 over 60 research articles, three textbooks, nine book chapters for textbooks, and numerous magazine and newspaper articles on diet and health issues. Carr has received several research and teaching awards, including the prestigious Donald and Mary Lee Swanson Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004 and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education in 2010. Carr has lectured on diet and health issues throughout the United States and in Europe, Asia, and South America. Carr has been a consultant to the World Health Organization and private industry, and is on the editorial boards for two professional journals.

“I am confident Tim will provide excellent interim leadership for graduate education,” Plowman said. “He is a widely respected leader at Nebraska and in his field. His experience both at the university and in his field make him an ideal addition to our leadership team. We have some of the best graduate programs in the country and we are excited that Tim will help us grow even stronger.”

The search for permanent leadership for graduate studies will begin in fall 2017.