SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Dr. Jeff Bradshaw, Extension Entomologist at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, has been named as Associate Research and Extension Director Intern for the Panhandle Center and Panhandle Extension District. His new assignment was announced by Dr. Jack Whittier, Research and Extension Director for the Panhandle.
Jim Schild, who had served as associate director since 2013, first in an interim capacity and then permanent, will return to his previous role as an Extension Educator.
 “I’m grateful to Jim for the support, guidance, wisdom and experience he has shown during the three years I have been Director,” Whittier said. “I wish him well in the future.”
Schild was Interim Associate Research and Extension Director when Whittier was hired as Panhandle Research and Extension Director in June 2014.
“Jim has been an excellent resource during these three years,” Whittier said. As Whittier has gained experience, he has determined that the administrative model for the associate director position should be modified.

With the approval of the deans at UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, beginning July 1, the associate director intern position is a 50-percent assignment. Bradshaw will maintain a 50-percent role in his present duties. He has begun to transition into the associate director role.
The new model for the AREDI position is intended to provide a training opportunity for current research or extension professionals who might want to pursue future positions in administration to gain experience through an internship. The AREDI will assist the director with administrative duties in the Panhandle District for 12 to 18 months, with the possibility of extension.            
The AREDI will learn about administrative duties while participating with the director in statewide administrative discussions and retreats. The AREDI will participate as a member of the Nebraska Extension Leadership Team, and also will be responsible for special projects within the Panhandle District.
Bradshaw’s primary responsibilities will be at the Panhandle Center, which will allow Whittier to work more directly at the county level.
“Having Jeff with primary oversight for the Center will provide the framework for me to concentrate more energy in counties and better learn and understand this aspect of the R&E Director responsibilities,” Whittier said.
Bradshaw said: “It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Nebraska as your entomologist at ‘the people’s university’. I am humbled to be entrusted with this added role to help foster the impactful collaboration of our exceptional scientists and educators at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center. I am looking forward to reaching out to agencies and organizations in our communities to develop meaningful partnerships around bold ideas and a shared vision for agriculture and natural resources.”
Bradshaw has been on the faculty at the Panhandle Center since 2010. He received a Ph.D. in entomology and plant pathology in 2007 from Iowa State University, and received his M.S. and B.S. degrees in zoology (in 2001 and 1998, respectively) from Southern Illinois University. He received an associate’s degree with a specialization in biology and chemistry in 1996 from Illinois Central College.
Before moving to Nebraska, Bradshaw was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to that, he was an extension postdoctoral research assistant at Iowa State University.
The Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff houses a dozen faculty members in UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who conduct research and extension activities related to beef production; crops and water use; natural resources; and community vitality. Research facilities include the Scottsbluff Ag Lab, the Mitchell Ag Lab, the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney and Sioux County Experimental Range.
Bradshaw also will help lead the 16-county Panhandle Extension District, where approximately 20 Extension educators, as well as 4-H assistants and support staff, provide Extension programming to western and north-central Nebraska from 12 county-based Extension Offices.