In a historic appointment, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents unanimously confirmed Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, as the 16th chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha effective July 1, 2021. She is the first woman of color to serve as UNO chancellor and the first Asian-American in the history of the University of Nebraska System to hold an executive leadership role.
Dr. Li previously served as dean of the College of Business at Florida International University, the nation’s fourth-largest public university. A first-generation college student who went on to graduate summa cum laude, Dr. Li brings to UNO 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education. She has a demonstrated record in improving student outcomes, growing enrollment and programs, enhancing diversity and inclusion, fundraising, and building community partnerships. Dr. Li holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in finance from Florida State University. She has previously served at Wright State University, Towson University, and Loyola University of Maryland.