Task Forces: Providing Academic Support

Providing Academic Support and Career Awareness

Task Force Chairs Announced

June 08, 2007

Chair: Chancellor John Christensen

University of Nebraska at Omaha

John E. Christensen was named chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in May, 2007, having served as interim chancellor from September 2006. The university’s 14th leader, Christensen is the first UNO graduate to lead his alma mater in the institution’s 98 year history.

Christensen began his UNO career in 1978 as a faculty member in the College of Education’s Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. He subsequently served as chair of that department for 12 years, prior to being named dean of the College of Education in 1999. He was appointed vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs in 2004. During his career, Christensen has presented at dozens of conferences and published several articles and professional reports focused on education and education related issues.

His involvement at the community level has been both broad and deep, ranging from being on the board of directors for the Omaha Community Partnership to being a member of the Omaha 2000 Steering Committee. He has also served on various school district advisory boards as well as several other education-related organizations.

Christensen holds degrees from Dana College, UNO and the University of Kansas.

Vice-Chair: Ben Gray

Chairman, Omaha Public Schools African American Achievement Council

Ben Gray was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He joined KETV Channel 7 in 1973 as a photo lab assistant and six months later was promoted to Photo Lab Manager.

In 1976, Ben moved into the newsroom, taking the positions of reporter and photographer. In 1979, he also became the producer and host of "Kaleidoscope," a weekly half-hour program that highlights a range of subjects of interest to the community in general and minority communities in particular.

He has received recognition for local, regional, and national awards as reporter, photographer and show host. Ben is also actively involved in the community, specifically with at-risk youth. He is Chairman of the Omaha Public Schools African-American Achievement Council. This is a community-based group started by the Omaha Public Schools in and effort to include the community in helping to close the achievement gap between black and white students. Ben also serves on the Girls Inc. Board of Directors and is currently working with Empower Omaha!