Jones named dean of education and human sciences

Sherri Jones has been named dean of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences.

Jones will officially assume the position on July 1, pending University of Nebraska Board of Regents approval. The university conducted a national search for this position. Donde Plowman, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, made the announcement Feb. 25.

“I could not be more pleased for the College of Education and Human Sciences to have Dr. Jones assume the role of dean. She is a talented, experienced, and well-respected scholar and department executive officer, and a Nebraskan who is committed and passionate about the university’s work,” Plowman said. “Sherri will step into the role as dean and make an immediate impact. I look forward to working with her to take the college to the next level of notoriety and excellence.”

Jones is a professor in and chair of the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

During the past seven years, Jones has developed a collaborative culture that enhanced research, improved grant productivity, increased partnerships with the campus and community, expanded clinical services, and bolstered opportunities for study abroad. She is also director of the Barkley Memorial Center, which houses three training programs, two clinics, nine research laboratories, three partner service agencies, and the Nebraska Hearing Aid Banks. She was recognized in 2005 with the college’s New Achiever Award and, in 2008, with the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Research from East Carolina University.

“As dean, I will work hard to build on the college’s strong traditions, advance the work of faculty, staff and students, and continue to develop its relationship with the Nebraska community,” Jones said. “Exciting times are ahead as we work toward the university’s N150 aspirations, and I look forward to further elevating the college to national and international prominence.”

Education and human sciences at Nebraska is a one-of-a-kind college that includes seven academic departments that address the physical, intellectual, social and economic well-being of individuals, families, schools and communities as they function in the Cornhusker State and throughout the world. Jones will work with fellow deans and campus leaders, along with the college’s leadership team and department chairs, to support the mission and vision of the college and its role within the university and state.

Jones earned her degrees at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln: Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and audiology, Master of Science in audiology, and doctorate in psychological and cultural studies with an audiology and hearing science emphasis.

After earning her doctorate, Jones spent nine years at the University of Missouri where she held research and assistant professor positions in the medical school’s surgery department, otolaryngology division and was doctoral faculty for its interdisciplinary neuroscience program. She also served eight years as professor of communication sciences and disorders at East Carolina University. Jones returned to Nebraska following a national search for director of the Barkley Memorial Center.

Her research focuses on the influence of genetic and environmental factors on auditory and vestibular development and aging and has been funded by the Department of Defense, the Deafness Research Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. Her techniques have been adopted in laboratories around the world and her work has been featured in peer-reviewed articles, books and presentations.