Being at the top of the tallest building on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s City Campus has its advantages.
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Joseph Francisco, known around the office as Joe, has a fantastic view of Memorial Stadium from his desk.
It’s a good thing he’s a big Husker football fan.
Francisco got his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and wasn’t sure, at first, what he wanted to study. He had many interests, including chemical engineering, chemistry and music.
“Going to the university was an opportunity to explore new opportunities,” Francisco said. “It really fits in with our college motto, ‘Let curiosity move you.’ ”
Students shouldn’t worry so much about what they’ll get their degree in, he said. Instead, he advises them to use college as a chance to find out what excites them.
Francisco has received numerous awards and fellowships. From 1998 to 2001, he was the atmospheric and ocean science editor for the journal Pure and Applied Geophysics. He co-authored the textbook “Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics” and has published more than 475 peer-reviewed publications in the fields of atmospheric chemistry, chemical kinetics, quantum chemistry, laser photochemistry and spectroscopy.
In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Francisco to the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science. Francisco was honored on the floor of the 113th U.S. House of Representatives.
Francisco said that he’s proud of all of his accomplishments and that none stand above the rest.
“They represent challenges with achievements,” he said. “When you achieve something that people appreciate and value, it makes you feel good that you’ve done something useful.”
June Griffin, the associate dean of undergraduate education at the college, said because of Francisco’s positive attitude, the office works not only efficiently, but happily.
“He’s good at encouraging collaboration,” she said. “All of the deans in the college work really well together.”
Francisco said he really wants to make sure students take advantage of the global experiences UNL offers. Students need the confidence to work with people on a global level, but they should also learn about different cultures, he said.
Terri Pieper, the director of marketing and communications at the college, wants students to know Francisco is always willing to help them with any problems.
Just because the college is the largest on campus doesn’t mean the dean’s office can’t give students individualized attention. Pieper said the college’s goal is to make it feel like a small college while being part of a bigger community.
“For students, knowing that the 12th floor [of Oldfather Hall] isn’t off-limits is important,” Pieper said. “The door is always open.”
That’s because for Francisco, it’s all about serving students.
“The most rewarding part about being a dean is helping people,” he said. “We help faculty, we help staff, and we help students achieve their goals for the university.”
