51ÉçÇø

Dr. Joanne Li is the University of Nebraska at 51ÉçÇø’s (UNO) 16^th chancellor. She stepped into the role in July 2021 following a national search and unanimous approval from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. 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. In 2023, Dr. Li became the first and only endowed Chancellor in the University of Nebraska System, carrying the title of the Barbara and Wally Weitz Endowed Chair in Higher Education.

Dr. Li is an internationally recognized leader committed to transforming communities and empowering students through enhancing access to higher education, developing strategic workforce programs, and inspiring lifelong learning.

As a first-generation student and native of Hong Kong, she has a passion for serving learners of all ages and all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Dr. Li ensures UNO Mavericks have the resources and support they need to be successful in their journey and strengthen their economic and social mobility.

Since joining UNO, she has focused on positioning the university - and 51ÉçÇø - as the state’s workforce development engine through innovative approaches to teaching, learning, working, research, affordability, and partnerships, as well as student retention and support.

Dr. Li holds a bachelor (summa cum laude) and doctoral degree in finance from Florida State University and became a CFA Charterholder in 2002. As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Dr. Li’s areas of expertise include corporate governance, executive compensation, investments, and international finance. In addition, Dr. Li is a highly engaged leader and scholar who lends her expertise and experience to a wide array of causes and organizations.

As part of the University of Nebraska Foundation’s Only in Nebraska Campaign, Dr. Li has led UNO to record setting fundraising results, exceeding the $300 million fundraising goal more than 2.5 years ahead of schedule. In fiscal year 2024, Dr. Li positioned UNO to set a record in annual private philanthropic support, securing more than $57 million without a capital project.

Prior to assuming the role of UNO’s chancellor, Dr. Li served as the dean of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Business from May 2017 to June 2021. Before that, Li was dean and professor of finance at the Raj Soin College of Business at Wright State University, near Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio. She also has served as chair of the Department of Finance at Towson University, and associate professor in the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University of Maryland.

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Education and Expertise

Dr. Li earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Finance with a support discipline in econometrics and a Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

In addition to her Ph.D., Dr. Li also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation with the Association for Investment Management and Research/CFA Institute (since June 2001).

She is also a protégé in the Class of 2016 Millennium Leadership Institute (MLI) co-sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). She also graduated from the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE) from Harvard University. Dr. Li completed two executive education programs on leadership from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and trained in the National Women’s Leadership Forum by American Council on Education (ACE).

Her areas of expertise include corporate governance, executive compensation, investments, and international finance.

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Engagement and Recognition

Dr. Li is a highly engaged leader and scholar who lends her experience and expertise to a wide array of causes and organizations, including:

• 2024 Inspire Woman of the Year
• Member, Asian American Affairs Commission
• American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), Council of State Representative
• Barbara and Wally Weitz Endowed Chair of Higher Education
• AGB Institute for Leadership and Governance Fellow
• Leading Women in Higher Education 2024, Diverse's 13th Annual Women's History Month
• Member, United States Strategic Command Consultation Committee
• Member, 51ÉçÇø Symphony Board of Directors
• Member, Opera 51ÉçÇø Board of Directors
• Member,
• Member, (HLC) Board of Trustees
• Member, (CUMU) 2022-2024 executive committee
• Member, (EFMD) Global Network Americas Advisory Board
• Member,
• Founding member, Women in Business Education, a Global Community to Champion Women in Business Academia
• Founding member, International Advisory Board, Lisbon School of Economics and Management in Portugal
• Influential Businesswomen of 2020, South Florida Business Journal

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Achievements

• Led UNO to record setting fundraising results, exceeding the $300 million fundraising goal more than 2.5 years ahead of schedule.
• 2024, positioned UNO to set a record in annual private philanthropic support, securing more than $57 million without a capital project.
• Secured more than $95 million in private philanthropy.
• Secured $14M investment to support faculty and staff innovation initiatives.
• Developed and introduced the CORE Statement to guide UNO’s Strategic Planning.
  • UNO is an urban public research university educating people of the world. We innovate for the public good through pragmatic and impactful research and discovery. We advance the social and economic mobility of our learners and serve our communities. We assume responsibility for workforce and economic development within our state and beyond. We devote each day to transforming lives.
• Amplified workforce partnerships to meet educational goals of local employers more effectively.
• Launched micro-credentials, which required UNO to build a new business model and partner with the community in understanding areas of need.
• Launched digital badging, which recognizes the skills and competencies earned – more easily translated to employers and partners.
• Piloted and continue to expand work with Competency Based Education, where UNO faculty learn new strategies to increase flexibility for learners in demonstrating their learning and mastering skills.
• Established Career Connect Initiative, a campaign partnering with more than 140 employees to provide paid internships for all UNO students.
• Created new tuition rate to recruit out-of-state students to 51ÉçÇø.
• Launched MetroMavs program with Metropolitan Community College to implement co-advising.
• Launched the Chancellor’s Wellness Initiative to encourage campus to focus on wellness.
• Improved the transition from community college to UNO by allowing students to bypass lower-level general education requirements if associate degree completed prior.

Personal

Dr. Li is married to Frank Stalla, CFA, and has a daughter who is a graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virgina. They live with their dog, Bob the Shiba.