Nicholas J. Pace

Professor & Interim Dean, College of Education & Human Sciences

Department of Educational Administration University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Address: CPEH 135C
Lincoln NE 68588-0234
Phone: 402-472-2913 On-campus 2-2913
Email: nick.pace@unl.edu
Social Media

he/him/his

Dr. Pace joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2017 as professor and chair of the Department of Educational Administration. In fall of 2023, he was named acting dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, which later changed to interim dean.

His research focuses primarily on the principalship. He has researched and written on the school experiences of gay and lesbian students, as well as the use of role play activities, case studies, and other tools in the preparation of school leaders. His most recent project is a second edition of a book entitled, The Principal’s Hot Seat Observing Real-World Dilemmas which features video footage of an authentic role play exercise for principals, was published in 2022 with co-authors Drs. Shavonna Holman and Cailen O'Shea. Other books include Reality Calling and Seeking Balance, which tell the story of a fictional principal’s first year on the job. Dr. Pace’s other scholarly interests include school administrator wellness and the ways school leaders seek to grow and improve their leadership practice. In addition, Dr. Pace has an interest in qualitative research, mentoring, inclusivity, and school culture and climate.

He has taught a variety of courses related to change leadership, orientation to school administration and standards for administrators, the principalship, human relations, and activities/extra-curricular programming, and administrators’ use of technology.

Prior to arriving at Nebraska, Dr. Pace served as a faculty member and administrator at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and as a middle and high school principal, teacher, coach, and as a mental health social worker.

Education

Ed.D. Educational Leadership, University of Northern Iowa, 2005
M.S.E., Educational Administration, Drake University, 1997
B.A., Sociology, University of Northern Iowa, 1992

Areas of Expertise

Principalship
School culture and climate
School administrator wellness and life balance
Mentoring

Teaching and Advising

Dr. Pace advises students who are completing qualitative dissertations related to P-12 school leadership.

Select Publications

Diehl-Yang, C. & Pace, N. J. (2018). I didn’t see this coming. In D. Griffith & J. Ryan (Eds.), Case studies for inclusive educators and leaders.Burlington, Canada: Word & Deed Publishing
Pace, N. J. (2014). Seeking balance: The story of a principal’s second semester. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Pace, N. J. (2013). Reality calling: The story of a principal’s first semester. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Pace, N. J. (2011). The principal’s hot seat: Observing real-world dilemmas. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Pace, N. J. (2009). The principal’s challenge: Learning from gay and lesbian students. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Pace, N. J. & Gilson, T. W. (2013). Champion or chump: Using a book-length case study to evaluate a mythical principal. Educational Leadership Review. 14(1).
Olsen, H. M. & Pace, N. J. (2013). Playing for keeps. American School Board Journal, 200(7), 31-32.
Abrego, J., Abrego M., Gilson, T. Pace, N., Selke, M., & Smith P. (2013). Graduate program redesign for the preparation of 21st Century educational leaders. Southern Journal of Education Administration, 2(1), 15-30.
Lasswell, T. A., Pace, N. J. & Reed, G. A. (2008). Weighing in: Rural Iowa principal’s perceptions of state-mandated teaching evaluation standards. The Rural Educator, 29(3), 40-44.
Pace, N. J., Lasswell, T. A. & Reed, G. A. (2008). Evaluation as usual? Iowa principal’s perceptions of state-mandated teaching and evaluation standards. Iowa Educational Leadership, X(1), 7-12.
Pace, N. J. (2007). I’ve completely changed: The transforming impact of the Matthew Shepard Scholarship. Journal of Advanced Academics, 18(3), 344-371. (peer reviewed)
Pace, N. J. (2005). Safe proms in high-risk times. The Education Digest, 70(7), 45-51.
Pace, N. J. (2004). Gay, rural, and coming out: A case study of one school’s experience. The Rural Educator, 23(3), 14-18.
Pace, N. J. (2004). You’ve gotta’ talking him out of it. Principal Leadership, 4(9), 34-39.
Robinson, V. L., Blaine, T, & Pace, N. J. (2004). Voices in the hallways: Three rural Iowa schools. The Rural Educator, 25(3), 1-4.

Current Research and Projects

Dr. Pace is currently working on a second edition of The Principal’s Hot Seat: Observing Real-World Dilemmas in collaboration with Drs. Shavonna Holman and Cailen O’Shea.

Courses Taught

EDAD 948: Instructional Leadership: Emerging Practices and Trends
EDAD 811: Principal Practicum

Honors and Recognition

2020, Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Program Fellow
2015, Inducted, Iowa Academy of Education
2012, UNI College of Education Award for Outstanding Scholarship
2012, UNI Diversity Matters Award2010, Iowa Friend of Civil Rights Award

Experience

2023-Present, Acting Dean, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2017-2023, Professor & Chairperson, Educational Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2015-2017, Professor & Department Head, Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, University of Northern Iowa
2008-2015, Associate Professor & Principalship Program Coordinator, University of Northern Iowa
2005-2008, Assistant Professor & Principalship Program Coordinator, University of Northern Iowa
2000-2005, Instructor & Student Teaching Coordinator, University of Northern Iowa
1998-2000, Principal, North Tama County Junior-Senior High School, Traer, IA
1996-1998, Teacher, Davis County High School, Bloomfield, IA
1994-1996, Teacher, Seymour Community School, Seymour, IA
1992-1993, Social Worker, Missouri Department of Mental Health, Kansas City, MO

Memberships

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA)
National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA)
National Rural Education Association