Steering Committee & Advisory Boards
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is responsible for helping to identify essential research and leadership initiatives to inform the main research foci of the Rural Center. The Steering Committee is comprised of knowledgeable individuals with various backgrounds and differing strengths regarding issues facing rural communities, research in educational practice, and community outreach.
| Members: | |
| Beth Birnstihl, PhD | Associate Dean, Cooperative Extension Division |
| Miles Bryant, EdD | Professor, Educational Administration |
| Ruth Heaton, PhD | Associate Professor, Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education |
| Jody Isernhagen, EdD | Associate Professor, Educational Administration |
| Chris Marvin, PhD | Associate Professor, Special Education and Communication Disorders |
| Sandra Scofield, PhD | Director, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative |
National Leadership Advisory Board
The State Leadership Advisory Board will function to maintain bi-directional communication and contact between community stakeholders and the R2Ed leadership team to obtain information, feedback, and recommendations for the ongoing work of the Center. Members of this board hold significant leadership positions in Nebraska, have particular expertise and investment in quality education in rural settings, and represent stakeholders at various levels.
| Members: | |
| Matt Blomstedt | Executive Director, Nebraska ESU Coordinating Council |
| Roger Breed, EdD | Commissioner, Nebraska Department of Education |
| Michael Dulaney, PhD | Executive Director, Nebraska Council of School Administrators |
| Chad Dumas | Principal, Gibbon High School |
| Kathleen Fimple, PhD | Academic Programs Officer, Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education |
| Jon Habben, PhD | Executive Director, Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association |
| Craig Kautz | Superintendent, Hastings, Nebraska Public Schools |
National Research Advisory Board
The National Leadership Advisory Board will function to inform and be informed by critical issues and events within the national rural education research and practice communities. Consisting of researchers and practitioners, this board will identify promising areas of research, development, and dissemination for the entire field. Members are stakeholders in rural education from regionally stratified areas and include researchers, members of rural education organizations, and practitioners.
| Members: | |
| Patti Chance, PhD | Chair, Department of Educational Leadership, San Diego State University |
| Lou Cicchinelli, PhD | Executive Vice President, Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) |
| Patricia Hardré, PhD | Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research, Jeannie Rainbolt College of Education, University of Oklahoma |
| Robert Mahaffey, PhD | Director of Marketing and Communications, Rural School and Community Trust |
| Steve Nelson, PhD | Director, Office of Planning and Outreach, Education Northwest |
| Ray Patrick, EdD | President, National Rural Education Association |
| Rachel Tompkins, EdD | Senior Fellow, Rural School and Community Trust |
State Leadership Advisory Board
The National Research Advisory Board will inform and be informed by the research studies and help identify research questions critical to improving rural education. Members are nationally or internationally renowned with expertise in research related to rural education.