Ellen Weissinger, interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, has been selected a finalist for the position.

In a Jan. 28 memo to UNL faculty and staff, the search committee announced Weissinger will be taking part in formal interviews on campus Feb. 2-4, and have a public presentation 3:30 p.m. Feb. 2. The presentation will be at Sheldon Museum of Art and is free and open to the public.

The committee in November had identified four finalists, who interviewed on campus in November and December. UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman, in a Jan. 7 memo to faculty and staff, said he determined that while each was qualified, none had the right fit for UNL at this time. The search committee now has unanimously recommended Weissinger for formal interview.

Weissinger, formerly dean of Graduate Studies, was appointed interim vice chancellor Dec. 21, 2009, by Perlman.

Weissinger has held numerous administrative positions at UNL before being appointed dean of Graduate Studies Jan. 18, 2008. She was the associate director of the Buros Institute for Mental Measurements (1992-94), associate dean of Teachers College (1995-99) and executive associate dean of Graduate Studies (2002-08). Weissinger is a professor of educational psychology specializing in quantitative research methodology. At UNL, she has taught research methods courses in the quantitative and qualitative methods in education program, including foundations of educational research, survey methods, experimental methods and evaluation theory. She was recognized with the Teachers College Distinguished Teaching Award in 1999. She specialized in psychometric research and has published three measurement instruments. From 1996 to 2001 she was editor of the Journal of Leisure Research.

The Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is responsible for the administration, coordination, and development of all UNL academic activities and functions. Academic Affairs provides academic leadership for UNL programs and works in cooperation with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The UNL academic deans report directly to the senior vice chancellor.

A Nebraska native and graduate of Omaha North High School, Weissinger earned her undergraduate degree from UNL in 1980. She completed her Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1982 and a doctorate from the University of Maryland in 1985. She taught at the University of Iowa for one year before joining the UNL faculty in 1986. She was promoted to associate professor in 1992 and professor in 1999.

– Kelly Bartling, University Communications