Dr. Jean Haar Selected as Recipient of 2019 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Educational Administration Impact Award

07 May 2019    

Dr. Jean Haar, Dean of the College of Education at Minnesota State University-Mankato and a Ph.D. alum of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Educational Administration, was recently awarded the Department’s Impact Award for her influence as an administrative leader.

The award, which is in its inaugural year, recognizes a distinguished alum of the Department who has made a significant impact in the field, communities, and organizations. Dean Haar’s professional work and accomplishments, since receipt of her doctoral degree in 2002 were the basis for her selection.

As leader of the college, Dr. Haar sees a responsibility to diversity the state’s educator workforce and to more adequately prepare racially conscious educators.

“I have been actively engaged in systemic change and professional growth that better equipped faculty and administrators to support educator candidates of color and prepare all candidates to be racially conscious educators and that leads us to our vision.”

In reflecting on her work, she references a drive to achieve the college’s vision of inspiring lifelong learning and professional engagement through racial consciousness, social justice, and inclusion within a global context. Her commitment to this goal mirrors concerns of education leaders throughout the U.S.

In describing her work at MSU-Mankato, she noted, “We are invested in preparing an equity-minded, professional workforce that addresses persistent, systemic opportunity gaps. The college, and its partnering districts, have actively engaged in changing practices, programs and policies that have resulted in the recruitment and retention of aspiring educators of color and that have resulted in improving the preparation of all aspiring educators to meet the needs of a diverse student population.”

“It’s exciting for us to recognize the significant impact and difference-making work Dr. Haar has contributed as a leader in education,” said Dr. Nick Pace, Chair of the Department of Educational Administration. “We’re gratified to count her as an alum of Nebraska Educational Administration and the first recipient of this new award.”

Dr. Haar received a Bachelor’s in English and her Master of Educational Administration degree from South Dakota State University before earning her Ph.D. from UNL in 2002. Since then she has served the role as Founding Director for the Center for Engaged Leadership, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State-Mankato.

Dr. Haar describes her time at UNL as an enjoyable and amazing experience that has helped her greatly in her professional career.

“The program and the faculty provided me with a wealth of knowledge, experiences and resources that prepared me to fully engage as a leader in my profession. It is a privilege to be recognized by those I respect and who invest so much of their time in guiding others to reach their full potential.”

Dr. Haar has been invited to serve as a keynote speaker at the 33^rd Annual Women in Educational Leadership Conference, in Lincoln, Nebraska in October, 2019.

Founded in 1913, the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers masters and doctoral level degrees in P-12 school leadership, educational leadership, community colleges, and higher education.