Leadership

Nebraska Methodist College - The Josie Harper Campus

Deb Carlson, Ph.D.

President and CEO

Dr. Deb Carlson was named president and CEO of Nebraska Methodist College – The Josie Harper Campus (NMC) in August 2017, becoming the third president and CEO of NMC since the school became a degree-granting institution in 1985.

In her previous role as the Executive Vice President, she provided direction for the college's strategic planning, operations, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, leadership development and succession planning, facility management, engagement and wellness. In addition, she provided oversight and strategic guidance over compliance, institutional research, the Division of Professional Development and Community Partnerships, business office, financial aid, food services, bookstore, student health, facilities, student housing and library services.

Dr. Carlson first joined Nebraska Methodist College in 2004 as an associate professor in Arts and Sciences teaching psychology and statistics. In 2008, she moved to the position of Director of Institutional Research and in 2011 became the Vice President for Organizational Development.

Prior to NMC, Carlson taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was a research professor for the Center for Instructional Innovation. She started her career in teaching at Wayne State College.

Dr. Carlson serves on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and a member of the Lean Committee for the Methodist Health System. She serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the WELLCOM (organization committed to worksite wellness) and on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association. She is a Quality Trained Evaluator for the Edgerton Nebraska Quality Program and a peer review for the Higher Learning Commission. She was Faculty Senate President and received the NMC Collaboration Award and a UNL Faculty Teaching Award given by the UNL Parent Group. Recent awards include; 2017 Community Service Award from the West Omaha Cosmopolitan Club, 2016 Honorary NMC Alumni Award and ESGR Patriate Award for employer support of the Guard and Reserve, 2014 Light of Wellness Award for leadership.

Outside of her profession, Carlson is married to the “best husband ever”, mother of four amazing children and three grandchildren. Her interest include, reading, learning, horses and being a facilitator, presenter, author and statistician for a cancer survivorship program (A Time to Heal).