Brooke Envick selected to lead UNK College of Business and Technology
KEARNEY – Following a national search, the University of Nebraska at Kearney has selected Brooke Envick as the next dean of the College of Business and Technology.
She’ll transition to the role on July 1, pending approval from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Envick succeeds Tim Jares, who is retiring after serving as the college’s dean for six years.
“I am truly honored to be selected as the next dean of the College of Business and Technology. I’m excited to build on our strong foundation of excellence, champion innovation and collaborate with our outstanding students, faculty and staff to shape a future of growth, impact and shared success,” Envick said.
A Loper alumna and third-generation UNK professor, Envick joined the faculty here in fall 2017, continuing the legacy of her grandfather Maynard and father Don, both longtime faculty members who were dedicated to advancing education at Kearney State College/UNK.
Envick earned a bachelor’s degree in management and Master of Business Administration from UNK, then completed her doctorate in organizational behavior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She taught at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, for nearly 20 years before returning to her alma mater.
Currently, she’s a professor in the UNK Department of Management and associate dean of faculty and strategic initiatives in the College of Business and Technology, where she’s led efforts in curriculum development and faculty engagement.
As an educator, Envick emphasizes active learning and innovation, engaging students in the knowledge-construction process. Her classes often include experiential learning exercises that encourage student engagement and development.
She’s received numerous teaching accolades during her career, including the UNK College of Business and Technology Outstanding Teaching Award and the Outstanding Educator Award for Innovative and Creative Teaching from the Academy of Educational Leadership. In December, she was recognized with the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award – the most prestigious faculty honor at UNK.
With a focus on entrepreneurship and small business management, Envick’s research complements her classroom instruction. She’s a member of the Institute for Global Business Research and Beta Gamma Sigma, and her research has been widely published in journals such as the Global Journal of Entrepreneurship and International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal.
Envick has received multiple Distinguished Research Awards from the Institute for Global Business Research and Academy of Entrepreneurship, and her work was featured in UNK’s New Frontiers magazine highlighting the best research and creative activity on campus in 2022. She’s also a graduate of the University of Nebraska’s “Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders” program, and she serves on a variety of committees at both the campus and system levels.
“With expertise in creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Envick is known for her active, student-centered teaching style. She brings a clear vision and deep dedication to student success as she steps into this leadership role,” said Julie Shaffer, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.