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The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) seeks a visionary leader and accomplished scholar to lead the prestigious School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

As a Metropolitan University of distinction, and Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution, the University of Nebraska at Omaha transforms and improves the quality of life locally, nationally, and globally. UNO is recognized as the premier Metropolitan University throughout the United States and the world.

The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (SCCJ) is a nationally recognized leader in criminological research, education, and community engaged scholarship, housed within the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) led by criminologist Dean Gaylene Armstrong. Uniquely, UNO entities, the college, and the SCCJ extend their reach beyond the Omaha campus to serve students at the University of Nebraska Lincoln campus. The school is consistently ranked among the top criminal justice programs in the nation, with its Bachelor of Science program ranked #17, its Master’s program ranked #5, and its Ph.D. program ranked #13 by U.S. News & World Report.

With more than 1,100 students across its Omaha and Lincoln campuses, the SCCJ offers one of the largest and most vibrant academic communities in the field. The school delivers five degree programs, from the BS through the MA, MS, and PhD, along with a fast-track (Bachelor to MS degree) options, graduate certificates, dual degree pathways, and extensive online opportunities, ensuring that students at all stages have flexible, high-quality routes to advancement.

The faculty of the UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice are nationally recognized leaders whose scholarship shapes the disciplinary direction. As one of the most productive criminology faculties in the country, the SCCJ scholars advance cutting edge research across victimology, policing, corrections, terrorism prevention, biosocial criminology, and the etiology of criminal behavior. Their work is showcased through major research labs and centers including the Victimology and Victim Studies Research Lab, the Advancing Research in Corrections Lab, the Criminological Research of Counterterrorism and Security, the Violence Intervention and Policing Research Lab, the Nebraska Collaborative for Violence Intervention and Prevention, the Nebraska Center for Justice Research, the Juvenile Justice Institute, and in partnership with the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center (NCITE), demonstrating both scholarly excellence and national influence. Faculty routinely publish in top journals, secure competitive federal funding, and serve as trusted advisors to policymakers and justice system leaders, reinforcing the school’s reputation as a premier hub for innovation and evidence-based practice in criminology and criminal justice. The SCCJ’s robust partnerships locally and nationally have resulted in more than $10 million new externally funded grants and contracts since January 1, 2025.

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is deeply embedded in the community, maintaining strong, enduring partnerships with a wide array of criminal justice agencies and organizations. Students and faculty collaborate closely with federal, state, and local partners including the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Secret Service, Omaha and other metropolitan police departments, Nebraska Probation, and the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services creating pathways for internships, applied research, and evidence-based innovation. These partnerships extend into the school’s specialized applied research centers and labs, where faculty and students work alongside practitioners to address real world challenges through data driven solutions. Through these initiatives, the SCCJ serves as a trusted resource for agencies seeking rigorous analysis, program evaluation, policy guidance, and professional training, reinforcing its role as a vital contributor to public safety and community wellbeing across Nebraska and beyond.

The SCCJ’s commitment to expanding educational horizons includes faculty-led study abroad programs, a diverse suite of experiential learning options, and interdisciplinary collaborations. As a future-oriented school operating at the intersection of research excellence and community impact, the SCCJ is poised for significant strategic growth. The next School Director is expected to not only expand the capacity and expertise of our faculty, but also lead efforts to update and expand curriculum programming in ways that are responsive to workforce development needs, support continued excellence in research and graduate education, and cultivate an environment that prioritizes the success of our undergraduate students and engages all faculty and staff in both Omaha and Lincoln campuses. The Director will steward a nationally recognized faculty and an expanding research enterprise, advance interdisciplinary collaboration, and shape the preparation of future scholars and leaders across the justice system. This is a rare opportunity to provide strategic leadership to one of the country’s premier criminology and criminal justice programs at a pivotal moment of institutional strength and trajectory.

The director is the chief academic and administrative officer of the school responsible for providing vision, strategic direction, and operational oversight. This role is responsible for outcomes that foster excellence in teaching, research, and service while promoting a positive and collaborative environment. The director leads faculty and staff, oversees curriculum development, ensures compliance with institutional policies, and leads efforts in budgeting, resource allocation, and personnel decisions. Additionally, the director represents the school within the college, university, and community; advocates for its needs; and builds partnerships that advance its mission and goals.

The director serves as a key member of the dean’s executive team to advance the College of Public Affairs and Community Service goals and is the largest unit in the college. The SCCJ offers undergraduate degree programs on both the Omaha and Lincoln campuses of the University of Nebraska system, and nationally ranked graduate degrees and certificates on the Omaha campus including the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The SCCJ Director also oversees two research units, the Nebraska Center for Justice Research and the Juvenile Justice Institute. The SCCJ is one of five academic units within the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS), which also houses Aviation, Gerontology, Public Administration, Social Work and several research units. UNO is one of four campuses of the University of Nebraska and is in the heart of Nebraska’s largest metropolitan area with over 1,000,000 residents.

More information, including full lists of responsibilities and qualifications, can be found in the institutional profile linked above.

How to Apply

Applications should consist of a substantial letter of interest, a CV, and a list of five professional references with full contact information and a note indicating the nature of your working relationship with each. No references will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to:

UNODirectorSCCJ@academicsearch.org

The position is open until filled but only applications received by Monday, March 23, 2026, can be assured full consideration. The University is being assisted by Academic Search. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting senior consultant Chris Butler at Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org. Further information about the University of Nebraska at Omaha is available at https://www.unomaha.edu/.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer.