Peterson, Suarez to lead NSCS Board of Trustees

Cap Peterson

A Wayne State graduate and former adjunct instructor at the college, Peterson and his wife, Nana, own Northeast Nebraska Insurance Agency, Inc., and Antiques on Main in Wayne. Peterson has also served as a member of the executive board for the Wayne State College Foundation and received the Wayne State College Distinguished Service Award.

“Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges provide cultural and academic resources that are vital for rural communities,” Peterson said. “I am proud to serve as chair of the Board and look forward to serving the Nebraska State College System. The NSCS has long been an integral part of higher education in Nebraska and I am confident it will continue to provide an excellent educational opportunity for its students long into the future.”

Active in Wayne, Peterson has been chair of the Wayne County Red Cross and member and past master of the Wayne Masonic Lodge. He has served on the Board of the Nebraska School Board Association, Wayne Community School, Wayne Kiwanis, and the Chamber of Commerce.  He was also on the board for United Way and Wayne Industries.

“I look forward to working with Cap. His long service on the Board will enable him to provide a terrific perspective as we continue to provide a high quality, affordable education for our students,” said NSCS Chancellor Stan Carpenter.

Michelle Suarez

Suarez first joined the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees in 2007 and was reappointed in 2008 by Governor Heineman. Along with the vice chair position, Suarez will continue to serve as the chair of the Board’s Enrollment and Marketing Committee.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Suarez has been a teacher and administrator for the Lincoln Public Schools since 1982. While serving the educational community, Suarez has served on numerous community boards and foundations, including the Foundation for LPS, Friendship Home and the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights. Suarez is currently the principal of Everett Elementary, having been the principal at Calvert Elementary from 1997 until her move to Everett in 2010.

“A strong education has the ability to transform lives--education provides opportunities and with opportunities come options, and with options come hope for a better life.” Suarez said. “The NSCS is passionate about providing a quality, accessible education that impacts each individual student as well as families, our community and our state.”

“I am pleased that Michelle has accepted the position as vice chair,” Carpenter said. “She has provided valuable insight and leadership while serving as the chair of the Enrollment and Marketing Committee and has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to our students during her time on the Board.”

Michelle and her husband, John, live in Lincoln and have two daughters – both in college.

The NSCS Board of Trustees also includes chair of the Academic, Personnel and Student Affairs committee Gary Bieganski of Chadron; chair of the Fiscal, Facilities and Audit Committee Bill Roskens of Omaha; Larry Teahon of Chadron; Bob Engles of Auburn; and Roger Breed of Omaha, who is also the Nebraska Commissioner of Education. The student trustees are Riley Machal of Gretna, Chadron State representative; William Jackson of Omaha, Peru State representative; and Katelyn Olenich of Norfolk, Wayne State representative.

The Nebraska State College System serves nearly 9000 students through three geographically diverse institutions. Combined, the three Colleges offer more than 200 degree, certificate and pre-professional programs that are accessible on the campuses, via the Internet and in several locations throughout the state. With more than 250 credentialed faculty members and 50,000 successful graduates, the Nebraska State College System provides significant human and intellectual capital that contributes to the current and future strength of the State of Nebraska.