As chief of staff, Phil Bakken serves as a trusted adviser to the President, helping to implement the University’s priorities in collaboration with senior leadership and external stakeholders. He coordinates and facilitates a broad range of University-wide initiatives, with a focus on those spanning multiple departments or programmatic areas. He also manages the Office of the President.

Prior to joining the Office of the President in 2016, Phil worked in the Office of Research and Economic Development at UNL, connecting the private sector with University resources through research and development collaborations, professional and scientific exchanges, access to instrumentation and facilities, internships and cooperative agreements, faculty consulting, technology licensing, and professional development and training. In recognition of this work, Phil was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Invaluable Service.

Phil currently serves on the Nebraska Workforce Development Board and Invest Nebraska Board of Directors. He is also a member of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE).

A native of Fremont, Phil received his bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University.