Marjorie Kostelnik, dean of education and human sciences, has been selected to lead the University of Nebraska system’s efforts to reduce costs.

Kostelnik will become senior associate to President Hank Bounds and tasked with implementing budget response team recommendations. The appointment begins July 1.

In a message to the university, Chancellor Ronnie Green announced that a national search will be launched to replace Kostelnik. Beth Doll, associate dean of education and human sciences, will step in as interim dean.

Beth Doll

“Marjorie’s vision and understanding of leading organizations through change will be extremely beneficial as the (system) positively transforms to become more efficient and better compete in the increasingly dynamic higher education landscape,” Green said in the message. “There is no question we will miss Marjorie tremendously at our flagship university, but we are confident that her thoughtfulness and insight will be helpful across the system, and we look forward to continuing to work with her.”

Kostelnik joined Nebraska in 2000 as dean of the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences. In 2003, Kostelnik helped guide a merger between that college with teachers college to become one of the first colleges of education and human sciences in the United States.

Kostelnik is a renowned educator and thought leader in early childhood education. She served on the faculty of Michigan State University for 22 years before joining Nebraska.

For more information about the university system’s budget planning, click here.