Mike Zeleny, chief of staff and associate to the chancellor since January 2018, is a senior adviser and reports on a wide variety of strategic and executive duties, including both internal and external relations.

Zeleny previously served as associate vice chancellor for research and economic development. He worked more than 20 years in the Office of Research and Economic Development, assisting with the university’s research growth and building its economic development mission. He is active in several community organizations and has served as director of the university’s Emergency Operations Command and chair of its Sesquicentennial Steering Committee.

Zeleny, who is originally from Exeter, Nebraska, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the university in 1993 and a Master of Business Administration in 1996.