NU names new leader of distance/online education operations

Mary Paulett Niemiec has been appointed as NU’s associate vice president for distance education and director of University of Nebraska Online Worldwide.

Niemiec currently is executive director of external education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she develops, directs and promotes the university’s online, blended and professional development programs.

Mary Paulett Niemiec

“I am very pleased that Mary Niemiec will lead the University of Nebraska’s efforts in online education,” NU President James B. Milliken said. “While we have made significant progress in growing enrollment in our online programs, developing new programs to meet market demands and increasing collaborations among our campuses, there is still much work to be done.”

Niemiec’s appointment at NU begins Aug. 15. She will lead efforts to achieve the broad goals of University of Nebraska Online Worldwide, which include:

• Serving the people of Nebraska and beyond through expanded online education opportunities;
  
• Growing online enrollment nationally and internationally by developing a leadership position in online education;
  
• Growing revenue from online programs; and
  
• Leveraging the collaboration among the university’s four campuses in the development, administration and marketing of distance education programs and courses.