Story 60 - Priceless Staff

NHRI could not live out its mission if not for the tireless work of leaders behind the scenes. Over the years, many incredible directors, researchers, and graduate assistants have pushed the program to new heights through their innovation, commitment, and character. These individuals, no matter their titles, make up the NHRI staff.

Since the days of Dr. Hall and Dr. Clifton, NHRRF has continued its legacy of developing leadership through investment relationships much to the credit of the directors who served this organization: Dr. Galen Dodge (1965 - 1992), Dr. Susan Fritz (1994 - 1998), Janet Kauffman (1998 - 2008), and Dr. Lindsay Hastings (2008-2020), Dr. Hannah Sunderman (2020 - 2022), Dr. Marianne Lorensen (2022 - Present). NHRI has seen many locations and funding sources throughout its history.

After 75 years, NHRI Leadership Mentoring continues to stand proud today, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of college students and young people. With its current home in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC), NHRI Leadership Mentoring hopes to continue its legacy for many years to come.

Click here to read the Fall 2024 NHRI’s online newsletter.

Meet NHRI’s 2024-2025 Program Staff

NHRI Program Director

Dr. Marianne Lorensen is the Program Director of NHRI Leadership Mentoring. She oversees mentor-mentee matches, advises the staff advisor team, teaches the NHRI Class, and manages the NHRI Class teaching team.

In addition to her work with NHRI, Dr. Lorensen is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC) department and the course coordinator for ALEC 102—a multi-section introduction to leadership course taken by students across UNL. Dr. Lorensen's teaching doesn't stop with the NHRI class—she teaches many other undergraduate leadership courses in the ALEC department.

NHRI Research Director

Dr. Lindsay Hastings is the NHRI Research Director. Her research centers around advancing scholar and practitioner knowledge in leadership mentoring (via generativity and social responsibility), community leadership development, and youth leadership.

In addition to her work with NHRI, Dr. Hastings is the Clifton Professor in Mentoring Research for the Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC) department. She teaches various undergraduate and graduate leadership courses and serves as the department's Graduate Chair. Her extension role takes her all across Nebraska to deliver research-based presentations and workshops on leadership and community development.

NHRI Financial Associate

Christina Franklin serves as the Financial Associate for NHRI. In her role, she manages NHRI's financial responsibilities by helping to maintain non-profit status, ensuring all fundraising efforts are set up properly and providing oversight on our working balances. Christina also handles Graduate Assistant contracts, making sure that our NHRI Graduate Assistants are fully prepared in their roles.

In addition to her work with NHRI, Christina is pivotal in the ALEC department, serving as the Administrative Associate for the ALEC Department Head, Dr. Mark Balschweid. She also oversees all department personnel files and employment processes, ensuring smooth operations within the department.

Doctoral Assistant/Graduate Assistant

The NHRI team further includes two graduate assistants. Nick Knopik is NHRI's Doctoral Assistant, primarily focusing on program and student development. Nick works closely with the staff advisors, manages NHRI's alumni database, leads fundraising efforts, and conducts research on NHRI mentors. His Ph.D. research involves developing a new curriculum for NHRI project meetings focused on developing self-authorship and leader identity development in leadership mentors.

Lizzy Kenes serves as NHRI's Master's Assistant, focusing on NHRI communication and programming. In her role, she manages NHRI's Instagram and Facebook accounts, making sure mentors and alumni are being well informed. Lizzy also helps organize key events like the Fall Kickoff and Senior Celebration and oversees the House Cup, a friendly competition that encourages mentor participation in NHRI events!

Staff Advisors

Staff advisors are critical to the success of each NHRI project. These student leaders shepherd and steward investment relationships, ensuring the health and well-being of every leadership mentor and leadership mentee. Staff advisors also hold mentors accountable to their investment promise. NHRI seniors selected as staff advisors are assigned to a project other than their own. For example, the JP South Staff Advisor might be from the Teenage Project. This approach is designed to ensure NHRI students sharpen each other’s investment relationship capabilities and think critically about the conduct and development of their relationships.

Tri-Chairs

Tri-chairs are student leaders within each project who run the week-to-week business of a project meeting. They lead get-to-know-you activities, facilitate one-on-one sharing, and work with their staff advisor to plan retreats. Tri-chairs are integral in developing project culture and building rapport among the leadership mentors.