Board Changes: Reynaga and Maher Join, Peterson Continues

The Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges is proud to announce the addition of Danny Reynaga and Brian Maher and congratulate Cap Peterson on being reappointed to the Board. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Danny and Brian to the Board of Trustees and are pleased to have Cap continue to serve with us," said John Chaney, Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will be instrumental in guiding Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State Colleges towards continued success and making a meaningful difference in the lives of the students we serve." 

Peterson and Reynaga were appointed by Governor Pillen and confirmed by the Legislature and will serve a six-year term. As the Commissioner of the State Board of Education, Maher serves as an Ex-Officio member. 

Trustee Danny Reynaga 

Danny Reynaga is an attorney from Mitchell, Nebraska. He earned his bachelor's degree from Chadron State College and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He has served as a Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges (2013-14) and the Commission on Latino-Americans (2017-2021).

 "I am excited to be joining a board that has proven itself time and time again as a champion of educational opportunities and helps guide a State College System that has positioned itself as a true leader in the world of higher education," said Trustee Reynaga.  He credits his parents, Adolfo and Dora Reynaga, for their steadfast faith in education that reshaped their immigrant beginnings into a lifetime of achievements, exemplified by this Board of Trustees nomination— what Trustee Reynaga calls "a true emblem of the timeless American dream."

Trustee Cap Peterson

Cap Peterson was first appointed to the Board in 2005 and has humbly served for the past 18 years. Trustee Peterson owns Northeast NE Insurance Agency, Inc. and Antiques on Main in Wayne. Trustee Peterson is a graduate of Wayne State College and a former adjunct instructor.

"As a Wayne State graduate and long-term Wayne resident, I understand the challenges of the rural areas served by the State Colleges and realize how vital each College is to their region. If the Colleges are thriving in Chadron, Peru, and Wayne, opportunities for students and their rural communities are endless. As a member of the Board of Trustees, I plan to continue my work to keep four-year degrees affordable and accessible for all Nebraskans at the State Colleges," said Trustee Peterson.

Trustee Brian Maher

Dr. Brian Maher became the Commissioner of the State Board of Education on July 1, 2023, and serves as a member of the Board in that role. He previously served as the CEO and Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Regents.

"With the State Colleges' roots in teacher education, as the Normal Schools, I look forward to working with the Board to address the teacher workforce shortage in Nebraska. Creating seamless pathways for our next generation of teachers is essential and offering invaluable perspectives to foster even greater student success."

"With its roots in teacher education as the Normal Schools, the State Colleges hold tremendous potential for addressing Nebraska's critical teacher workforce shortage. Collaborating with the Board, I look forward to creating innovative solutions that pave seamless pathways for the next generation of educators," said Dr. Brian Maher, Commissioner of the State Board of Education.

Committees Assignments Announced

Chair of the Board, John Chaney, recently announced new committee assignments. Each committee's composition is strategically designed to leverage the exceptional talents of our Trustees, fostering collaboration and encouraging innovative solutions that align with the mission and values of the Nebraska State Colleges. The updated committee roster is below:

Academic and Personnel Committee

• Chair: Marjean Terrell
• Vice Chair: Brian Maher

Fiscal, Facilities, and Audit Committee

• Chair: Jess Zeiss
• Vice Chair: Bob Engles

Student Affairs, Enrollment, and Marketing Committee

• Chair: Danny Reynaga
• Vice Chair: Cap Peterson

Executive Committee

• Chair: John Chaney
• Vice Chair: Bob Engles, 
• Marjean Terrell