Michelle Birkel of Lincoln
has been named the new executive director of Southeast Community College’s
Educational Foundation. Birkel replaces Dr. Jack Huck, who spent seven years in
the same role and is now serving as president of the Foundation Board.
“My goal is to become familiar with the great
history of SCC and to meet current staff and faculty,” she said. “Evaluating and implementing a comprehensive advancement program
that includes planned and deferred giving, major gifts, annual campaigns,
corporate, and foundation gifts is something I am looking forward to as well.”
Birkel has extensive
fundraising experience at the Pius X Foundation, Catholic Social Services and
the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lincoln/Lancaster County. She is eager to bring
in more scholarship dollars and to advance the mission of the Foundation.
“At Pius X, one of the most gratifying parts of my
job was implementing and administrating their scholarship program so families
and students could afford the tuition and be able to attend Pius X,” she said.
“I am looking forward to doing this at the SCC Educational Foundation as well,
to help students lighten their financial burden and to allow them to focus on
learning and their career.”
Originally from Bellwood,
Birkel graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a business
degree. She and her husband Paul have four children and two grandchildren.