On Nov. 12, Cynthia Milligan, dean of the College of Business Administration, announced her plans to retire June 30.

Milligan has served as dean of the business college since 1998. She is the eighth dean of the college.

“This is the best position I have had in my varied career,” Milligan said. “I consider it a privilege to work with faculty and leadership at the university and to serve our students. And, I am proud of what we have accomplished to improve the education of our students, the excellence of our faculty, and the reputation of this college.”

During her 11 years as dean she developed a long-term strategic plan that provided a blueprint for the best learning experience for students and the best environment for faculty to achieve their goals.

She developed new programs to enhance the student experience including the creation of a freshman business leadership class that resulted in a dramatic increase in student retention in the college. Currently, the college awards more than $500,000 per year in scholarships to business students. The MBA program is now completely online and growing exponentially.

Milligan

Concerned about ethical behavior in business, Milligan encouraged and supported the growth of the Business Ethics program, and led the establishment of the UNL Leadership Institute to enhance the commitment to ethical decision-making. The leadership institute is one of the strongest centers in the nation researching leadership development.

Faculty at the college have long been involved in global business and education. Following that example, students have been strongly encouraged to take a global view. Most recently a new study abroad program was established in China, which includes internships for students. Milligan was also part of the team that developed the J.D. Edwards Honors Program, now the Jeffrey Raikes School of Computer Science and Management.

Milligan earned a bachelor’s degree in French at the University of Kansas, and a juris doctorate at George Washington University. She practiced law in Washington, D.C., from 1970 to 1977, then was a senior partner in the Lincoln law firm of Rembolt, Ludtke, Parker, Milligan and Berger from 1977 to 1987. She practiced in the areas of general business, international business, taxation, securities, banking, corporate, partnership, estate planning and probate law. From 1987 to 1991 she was education adviser to Gov. Kay Orr and director of the Nebraska department of Banking and Finance, serving as the chief regulator of the financial and securities industries for Nebraska. Prior to being appointed dean in 1998 she was president of Cynthia Milligan and Associates, consultants to the banking industry. She has been adjunct professor of law (taxation) at Georgetown University and University of Nebraska and was an adjunct professor of law in banking at the law college and a guest lecturer in banking at CBA.

Milligan announced her retirement plans in an e-mail to faculty and staff Nov. 12 and personal calls to college supporters and advisers. She plans to help with the transition to a new dean, to be an “active and enthusiastic supporter of the college and the university.” Milligan’s husband is the incoming chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and her note indicates that she sees that opportunity as one in which she would like to participate with him.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished together to improve the education of our students, the excellence of our faculty, and the reputation of this college,” Milligan’s note said. “As you know, 11 years is a long tenure for a dean. I have stayed because I believe so strongly in our mission and have been thrilled to be part of an organization which is changing and improving so steadily.”

A search committee will be appointed to oversee the transition to a new dean.

— Story by Kelly Bartling, University Communications