The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture welcomed Lisa Hilfiker on March 14 as the new administrative associate for graduate support. She will provide essential support to the department’s distance and resident graduate programs and will serve as the main point of contact for faculty and students regarding applications, admissions, student progress and graduation.
Hilfiker, a lifelong Lincoln area resident, holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is currently working on a master’s degree in higher education administration at Nebraska.
“As a graduate student myself, I am bringing a student perspective to this position which I hope will help me to better guide students, prospective and current, from applications through graduation,” Hilfiker said.
Hilfiker previously worked as the administrative coordinator at Nebraska’s Explore Center, the undergraduate advising home for undeclared students and those who wish to go on to a pre-health or pre-law professional school.
Hilfiker’s family are all current or former Huskers. Her husband, James, earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering at Nebraska, her son will receive his doctorate in electrical engineering in May, and her daughter is a sophomore biology major with the goal becoming a physician’s assistant. Their dog, Lucy, is a Husker by default.
“I am very excited to get to know the graduate students and aid them on their academic journey,” Hilfiker said. “Everyone has been so kind, and I am looking forward to developing relationships and getting to know everyone in the department.”
