LINCOLN, Neb. — A familiar face to the University of Nebraska will likely be the university’s next president. On Wednesday, the Nebraska Board of Regents voted unanimously to select Dr. Jeffrey Gold as the priority candidate for president. 

“The university is currently at a crossroads. We are currently experiencing incredible challenges but also opportunities,” Regent Elizabeth O'Connor said. “I’m very, very excited to see what he’s going to accomplish.”

Gold is currently the chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and vice president of the University of Nebraska system. He previously served in a dual role as UNMC and University of Nebraska-Omaha chancellor. Prior to coming to Nebraska, Gold was the chancellor of the University of Toledo’s academic and clinical health sciences.

As the priority candidate, Gold will now undergo a 30-day vetting period involving public meetings and media interviews. After that, the Board of Regents will vote on appointing him as president.

The board received criticism recently for the amount of time it was taking to appoint a new president. The university has been without a permanent president for seven months.

Stay tuned to News Channel Nebraska for more on this developing story.