Grotrian Set to Lead Premier Partnerships

Grotrian Set to Lead Premier Partnerships

By Dan Silvia, Communications Manager

Jim Grotrian has joined the University as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Grotrian, who started December 1, comes to the University after a 17-year career at Metropolitan Community College including the last seven years as Executive Vice President.

Grotrian is excited about the challenges that Bellevue University offers and is looking forward to leading the Premier Partnerships team.

“I am fortunate to have a role here at the University that will primarily focus on leading the Premier Partnership area of the University that is experiencing and has experienced tremendous and positive growth,” Grotrian said. “I am looking forward to getting to know the team and the University in my first few weeks. Then, I’ll be leveraging my existing network of friends and colleagues around the country at many community colleges and helping to build a network of students that can experience the Bellevue University curriculum.”

Grotrian said the unique requirements of adult learners have challenged higher education institutions to stay ahead of the curve.

“Adult learners approach to furthering their education has challenged higher education to really make sure we are staying current,” he said. “We constantly rethink our academic programs and making sure people see them as affordable and relevant to what they want to achieve in their lives. I’m confident that Bellevue is on the right track and thinks about that every day.”

Grotrian’s role at Metro put him in charge of day-to-day operations for the college and had him wearing multiple hats. One of the achievements he is most proud of is the development and implementation of the school’s master building plan which included the $90 million development of the Fort Omaha campus most of which will be completed this summer.

Grotrian earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He also got his start in the administrative side of higher education at the school. He credits Dr. Wayne Samuelson for kick starting his career.

“He was a pioneer in our business,” Grotrian said. “He first gave me an opportunity when I was an undergraduate in college and I needed a job. I was really fortunate in that he helped shape my perspective on how to work with people.”

Grotrian hails from Johnson, Nebraska, about 65 miles south of Bellevue. His family has lived there since pre-Civil War days.

“My roots run really deep in the state of Nebraska,” he said. “I’m involved in the family farm operation. I hunt. I fish. I’m a bird watcher. I consider myself a practicing conservationist.”