At the July 15 all-campus forum, Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, shared updates on university operations, including results from the 2025 employee engagement survey, budget strategy and recent employee benefits additions.
He was joined by Linda Cunningham, interim executive director of human resources, and Anne Barnes, UNMC vice chancellor for business, finance and business development, and senior vice president and chief financial officer for the University of Nebraska System.
Members of the UNMC community can view the forum.
Cunningham said the 2025 employee engagement survey received a 52% response rate, with 2,642 employees participating. Results showed that most employees enjoy their work, feel it uses their skills effectively and believe it provides a sense of accomplishment. She said pride in working at UNMC remains high, staying consistent with responses from UNMC’s last survey in 2019.
“Thank you to each and every employee who took the time to complete the survey,” Cunningham said. “Survey results will be shared with managers, not just senior leadership, who will lead conversations with their teams exploring the ‘why’ behind responses.”
Cunningham also discussed the new paid parental leave policy, effective July 1.
“This is a huge step forward,” Cunningham said. “It recognizes the real-life needs of working families and offers a benefit that will truly impact employees’ lives.”
Barnes provided an overview of the university’s proactive financial strategy amid uncertainty around federal research funding and limited state increases. UNMC’s approach involves strategic shifting or reallocating research infrastructure costs from federal indirect cost funds (F&A) to state-aided budgets to avoid disruption.
Barnes also addressed employee concerns around the salary freeze and increased workloads, acknowledging the frustration and hardship it presents.
“We absolutely recognize that salaries are top of mind for many,” Barnes said. “But the alternative of funding raises by cutting positions was not acceptable. We chose to preserve jobs.”
She outlined the university’s proactive approach to financial planning in the face of uncertainty at both the state and federal levels. Barnes said UNMC is strategically reallocating internal resources, particularly related to research infrastructure.
“Much of our research infrastructure has historically been supported by federal F&A dollars,” Barnes said. “With a possible cap on those funds being discussed in Washington, we’ve shifted those costs to the state-aided budget to protect core operations.”
Leadership emphasized this is a temporary, proactive step and not a response to financial deficits.
“We’re not cutting for survival,” Dr. Davies said. “We’re planning for sustainability and for growth.”
Paula Kohles, director of the UNMC Financial Aid Office, shared updates on significant changes to graduate student loan programs.
UNMC’s financial aid office is taking proactive steps, including:
- Offering one-on-one support to help students plan ahead.
- Working with donors and foundations to expand scholarship support.
Kohles encouraged students to reach out to the financial aid office, even if they don’t anticipate needing loans this year.
Dr. Davies concluded the forum by reaffirming UNMC’s commitment to transparency, shared governance and long-term stability. Also, he emphasized that well-being is everyone’s responsibility and encouraged kindness, empathy and early support when colleagues show signs of stress.
“Our mission is strong, and it’s carried out by the people in this room and across our campuses,” Dr. Davies said. “We’ve accomplished a lot together over the past year, and we’re not slowing down. Thank you for all that you do at UNMC and for your dedication.”
In other news, Dr. Davies:
- Invited the UNMC community to the Employee Appreciation BBQ on July 23, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza in Omaha.
- Congratulated Barnes, who was named senior vice president and chief financial officer for the NU System, and Chris Kratochvil, MD, who was named vice president for external relations. Both had been serving interim roles at the NU System level; each will continue their roles at UNMC.
- Discussed how UNMC is exploring alternative governance and structural models for IT, including a budget impact analysis of possible realignments.
- Announced Kyle Meyer, PhD, will be stepping down as dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions in 2026, although not retiring.
- Congratulated Michael Ash, MD, as newly appointed CEO of Nebraska Medicine.
- Congratulated Sarah Golden Carlson, JD, as newly appointed assistant vice chancellor and chief compliance officer.
- Congratulated Suzanne Nuss, PhD, as newly appointed assistant dean of the UNMC College of Nursing-Omaha Division.