Chancellor Joanne Li talks with me about being a maverick, her epiphany about the larger opportunities in the world, being a first generation college student and how that shapes her empathy for students today, her plans for the University of Nebraska at Omaha as an urban college, and much more.

Dr. Li is the first woman of color to serve as UNO's chancellor and the first Asian-American in the history of the University of Nebraska System to hold an executive leadership role. Originally from Hong Kong, Dr. Li is a first-generation college student, earning bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in finance from Florida State University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Dr. Li most recently served as dean of the College of Business at Florida International University, the nation’s fourth-largest public university, and served at other universities prior to that. She brings to UNO 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, with a demonstrated record in improving student outcomes, growing enrollment and programs, enhancing diversity and inclusion, fundraising, and building community partnerships. 

This show, one of a year-long series, is supported in part by The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.