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   from the issue of December 6, 2007

     
 
Novobilski picks UNL for ACE fellowship

 BY KIM HACHIYA, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Andy Novobilski couldn't have made a better choice when he decided to spend his American Council on Education fellowship year at UNL.


ACE FELLOW - Andy Novobiliski, chair of computer science and engineering at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, opted to spend his American...
 
ACE FELLOW - Andy Novobiliski, chair of computer science and engineering at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, opted to spend his American Council on Education fellowship year at UNL. Photo by Kim Hachiya/University Communications.

 
The chair of computer science and engineering at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga wanted to observe the action at a doctoral extensive university. He is particularly interested in how that kind of institution interacts with its various publics, including its state legislature. He was interested in observing the influence of "big time" athletics. He wanted to observe a university system rather than a single-campus institution. And he wanted a safe community, because his wife and four children would come with him.

From 43 contenders, he winnowed to a short list that included UNL. And conversations with former ACE Fellows like Rita Kean, UNL's dean of undergraduate studies, convinced him that UNL would be a good fit.

Since his arrival in August, he's observed the comings and goings in the Athletic Department, the on-going controversy over the future of State Fair Park, and the beginning of what may be prove to be an incendiary issue - the petition to put to public vote a proposal to end affirmative action policies.

"It's been a great year so far," he said. "And I think maybe the best is yet to come."

Novobilski said he's been amazed that folks at UNL are so open to having him observe and participate. He has helped coordinate a project between UNL and the Downtown Lincoln Association that would help revitalize retailing downtown.

Among his observations so far:

• Nebraska is like Tennessee in that its students, faculty and staff have a strong work ethic and strong sense of identity.

• Football is an important point of pride.

• UNL has a large and effective group of individuals in support positions who carry out much of the daily work allowing its leadership to focus on big picture tasks.

• UNL has a collaborative environment with a lot of "dotted line" relationships. For example, he said, when issues overlap between administrative units, it appears that folks are willing to cross reporting lines to get work done.

Novobilski has been in academe since 2000. After earning his undergraduate degree in computer science from Drexel University in Philadelphia, he spent 20 years in Texas running his own computer software company and chipping away at master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Two mentors at Chattanooga recommended he apply for an ACE fellowship, which is a leadership development program for higher education administrators. In addition to Kean, Ali Moeller, a professor in the College of Education and Human Sciences, have served as ACE fellows.

During the year, Novobilski meets several times with others in his fellowship class of 39. They also visit participating institutions and have a wrap-up seminar at the end of the academic year.


GO TO: ISSUE OF DECEMBER 6

NEWS HEADLINES FOR DECEMBER 6

ANDRILL
Novobilski picks UNL for ACE fellowship
Production taps into UNL bullying research
SEASONAL WATERING
Campus shops offer diverse options
Faculty, staff offer feedback on strategic plan
NU joins Web-based comparison program

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