After more than three decades at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Rik Barrera, associate dean of operations and chief of staff in the College of Business, plans to retire. A reception will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4 in room 231 of Howard L. Hawks Hall.
Born into a military family, Barrera lived in Germany; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Ord, California; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and Fort Bliss, Texas. He moved to Nebraska as an active-duty U.S. Army officer to serve as chair and professor of military science in the Army ROTC program.
"My family and I love the Midwest and the university because of the family-friendly environment, good schools and lower cost of living than many places we have lived," Barrera said.
Following a distinguished 21-year career in the U.S. Army, he joined the university as a business manager in the Beadle Business Center.
"It was a brand-new position within the new concept of business centers, and I loved getting to build the position and business center from scratch. It's always a challenge to start something new, but that really appealed to me," he said.
When Barrera joined the College of Business in 2011, Donde Plowman had recently been appointed dean. As part of the management team, he helped lead the construction of Howard L. Hawks Hall, home to the College of Business.
“When Rik joined the College of Business, his administrative expertise brought a sense of professionalism to the way we did things, and he empowered staff to take charge of their work environment," Plowman said. "I will always be grateful to Rik for helping lead the detailed planning that went into designing Hawks Hall, a building that continues to be a testament to dreaming big."
Colleagues credit Barrera with helping navigate the complex project while keeping people and partnerships at the forefront.
Barrera’s role evolved into associate dean of operations and chief of staff with oversight of budget and finance, human resources, facilities, IT, and diversity and inclusion efforts. He also taught a leadership course at the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management.
“Rik’s leadership shaped our operations, our people and our culture, including the successful development of Hawks Hall,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “He led complex systems with clarity and built strong partnerships across the college and campus. We are deeply grateful for his service, his commitment to the College of Business, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.”
Known for his collaborative approach and willingness to partner across campus, Barrera served on numerous university committees. As a member of the university's College of Administrative and Business Officers (CABO), his peers valued his insight and collegiality.
“Working with Rik as a college academic business officer, I’ve had the opportunity to see his leadership up close,” said James Volkmer, assistant vice chancellor in the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, who leads CABO. “He approaches every challenge with thoughtfulness and integrity and has a rare ability to bring people together. His leadership has had a lasting impact on his colleagues across the university.”
Colleagues say Barrera's influence can be seen throughout Hawks Hall and in the many relationships he built over the years. Known for his calm presence and steady guidance, he often emphasized the importance of people feeling supported and valued in their work.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here and having eight grandkids around us. In the Army ROTC, I was proud to shape future leaders of our military. In the Beadle Business Center, I was proud of the culture we developed for the staff there. At the College of Business, I was also proud of the staff we hired and developed," Barrera said. "My most fun and rewarding project was leading the planning and construction of Howard Hawks Hall."
As he steps into retirement, Barrera reflects on a career shaped by service, first to his country and then to the university and the college.
“I’ve always believed that leadership is about helping others succeed and become better. Leadership is about people, not programs or processes,” Barrera said. “The university gave me the opportunity to do meaningful work alongside incredible people, and that’s what I’ll carry with me.”
