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Mary Niemiec | Associate Vice President for Distance Education, University of Nebraska

Mary Niemiec | Associate Vice President for Distance Education, University of Nebraska

Current Position and Past Experience
Mary Niemiec is the Associate Vice President for Distance Education for the University of Nebraska. She is also Director of University of Nebraska Online Worldwide – the University‐wide online education initiative collectively offering more than 100 online programs from four campuses – University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska Medical Campus.

In her role at the University of Nebraska, Niemiec is responsible for directing the distance education strategy for the system, creating opportunities for collaboration among the faculty and staff across the University and, promoting and supporting the online academic programs offered by the NU campuses. She works with University and campus leadership to evaluate and recommend policies (including tuition) and practices affecting students who study at a distance.

Niemiec has worked in higher education for more than 20 years, primarily in the area of outreach, online and blended learning. Previous to joining the University of Nebraska team, Niemiec was Executive Director for External Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Niemiec has served in a variety of leadership and volunteer roles with several professional organizations and was conference chair for the Online Learning Consortium (formerly the Sloan Consortium) Blended Learning Workshop and Conference for eight years. She is currently a member of the board of directors for the University Professional Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and a member of the advisory board for the Center of Online Leadership and Strategy.

Education, Honors and Achievements
Niemiec has received several recognitions including the University of Illinois at Chicago Model Administrator/Alumnus Award by The American Society of Public Administration, Greater Chicago Chapter. She was also honored as an OLC (formerly Sloan-C) Fellow for her leadership in blended learning.

Personal Details and Community Involvement
Niemiec has been active in her local community both as a volunteer and as an elected municipal trustee for the Village of Homer Glen Illinois for 12 years. Prior to that she was a member of the Committee to Incorporate the Village of Homer Glen. She was also a founding member of the Homer Glen Foundation (a nonprofit foundation committed to community and nature) and continues to serve on the board.

Connect
Mary Niemiec can be found on LinkedIn.

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AACRAO Paper 2023