Katherine Ankerson was appointed Interim Chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on January 12, 2026. Previously she served as UNL’s Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College of Architecture at Nebraska’s flagship, land-grant, Big Ten institution.
An architect and designer, Ankerson is an agile leader and innovative problem solver, award-winning author, and a strong proponent of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement. She leads an ecosystem of inclusive innovation, respecting and celebrating the differences and excellence in multiple disciplines. Her leadership demonstrates a long-ranging breadth of commitment and impact across multiple universities and organizations.
Ankerson earned her academic and professional degrees from Washington State University, including a master’s degree, bachelor’s degree and the professional Bachelor of Architecture. She began her career in architectural private practice, first in Texas for three years, and then in Washington state where she owned and operated a small design firm from 1982-1994. She joined the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1996 as an assistant professor, became a tenured associate professor in 2003, and professor in 2007. In addition to her faculty role, a portion of her duties included associate dean of the UNL College of Architecture from 2008-11. She served as department head and professor of interior architecture and product design at Kansas State University from 2011-16, and dean of the UNL College of Architecture from 2016-22. Her academic career has spanned four universities (including UNL and K-State, as well as Radford University and Washington State University) and is marked by and noted
for a quest for excellence and innovation in higher education.
Ankerson’s leadership experience is broad and has ranged from leading university committees and task
forces to leading North American organizations and boards, including elected positions as the Interior Design Educators’ Council President (2014), Council for Interior Design Accreditation Board Chair (2021), numerous roundtables, focus groups, and many of the industry's highest award selection panels.
An nationally award-winning author and educator, Ankerson was named the International Interior Design Association’s 2020 Educator of the Year, received the 2022 American Institute of Architects Nebraska Award for Architectural/Design Education, recipient of The Nuckolls Lighting Fund 20th Anniversary grant, and inducted as a Fellow in the Interior Design Educators Council and as a member of the International Interior Design Association College of Fellows, in which less than 1% of members are
inducted.
