William J. Nunez, who has served as associate to the chancellor and chief of staff for Chancellor Ronnie Green as well as former Chancellor Harvey Perlman, has been named as interim vice chancellor for business and finance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, effective Jan. 5.

Green announced Nunez’ selection, pending approval from the Board of Regents, in a Dec. 15 letter to campus.

Nunez succeeds Christine Jackson, who retires Jan 4 after 17 years in the role of vice chancellor of business and finance for Nebraska’s flagship, land-grant institution.

Following a national search and a thorough campus-wide process, the position remained unfilled. Four finalists for the position were interviewed on campus in early November.

“After careful evaluation and analysis of the current national landscape, where a significant number of higher education business and finance leaders are being recruited, coupled with our immediate needs for leadership as we transform our business operations, I reached out to Dr. William Nunez to serve in this very important role,” Green said.

Nunez has been a member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s senior administrative team since 2003. He worked as director of the Office of Institutional Research and Planning before joining the chancellor’s office in 2010. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business and master’s and doctoral degrees in education. Before joining the University of Nebraska, he served in the Office of Planning and Budget at the University of Louisville in Kentucky for 12 years.

“Bill brings tremendous experience and knowledge to the role regarding university fiscal and administrative operations, capital and strategic planning processes, as well as governance and policy acumen,” Green said. “His deep knowledge of UNL and its operations will be invaluable in the transition and building period ahead as we evaluate and transform our budget processes and delivery of business services.’

Green said Nunez has earned the trust and respect of faculty, staff and administrators during his tenure at Nebraska.

“I am confident Bill will provide seamless transition following the retirement of our great friend and colleague Christine Jackson,” Green added. “We wish Christine the very best as she enters this next phase of her life. On behalf of all the UNL family, I cannot thank her enough for 17 amazing years of phenomenal leadership for our university.”