KEARNEY – After more than a decade of dedicated service, Jon Watts is leaving his position at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The longtime UNK employee and current vice chancellor for business and finance has accepted a new opportunity as regional general manager for Nebraska-based ALLO Communications. He’ll make the transition Nov. 30.
A Kearney native, Watts joined UNK in 2010 as assistant director of business services and was promoted to director of business services and accounts payable in 2013. He’s served as vice chancellor for business and finance since June 2016, providing direction and oversight for universitywide budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, compliance, facilities maintenance and construction.
During his time as chief business officer, Watts helped deliver $290 million in construction, renovation and expansion projects on campus, including new residence halls, a 90,000-square-foot STEM building and the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex.
He also played a key role in the development of University Village, a 104-acre site that combines educational, residential, commercial and recreational opportunities to create a vibrant neighborhood that connects urban and rural Nebraska. The public-private development includes the Regional Engagement Center, Element 30 housing project, Ernest Grundy Tennis Center, Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center and UNK’s Village Flats apartments, along with the Nebraska Medicine cancer center that’s expected to open in December.
In addition to investing in campus facilities, Watts supported numerous initiatives that increased scholarship funding for UNK students. The average amount of debt incurred by students who begin and complete their studies at UNK has decreased by $4,100 since 2016.
Watts served on countless UNK and NU System committees and is a graduate of the Leadership UNK, Leadership Kearney and Leadership Nebraska programs. He received the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year award in 2012 and Distinguished Leadership Kearney Alumni Award in 2016.
“Jon’s innovative and collaborative leadership style has led to tremendous success for our university during his time here,” said Charlie Bicak, interim chancellor. “He has been a great partner and an incredible asset to UNK, and he will leave an indelible mark on the university.”
Watts and his family will remain in Kearney, where he’s active with Buffalo County Community Partners, the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation and CHI Health Good Samaritan Foundation. His office will be located in the new Regional Engagement Center at University Village.
Jane Sheldon, associate vice chancellor for business and finance, will assume the additional title and responsibilities of chief business officer for UNK on an interim basis. She previously held this role following Barbara Johnson’s departure in 2016.
The UNK Division of Business and Finance manages the university’s financial operations to support and promote academic excellence, fiscal responsibility and public accountability. The vice chancellor for business and finance leads a team of nine full-time employees who oversee operations consisting of more than 250 full-time, part-time and student employees.
