News

Southeast Community College has named Brooke Hay its new Vice President of Campus Operations and Development. Hay, a professional civil engineer, brings 25 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education and public K-12 systems. She begins her role on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Hay comes to SCC from Lincoln Public Schools, where she served as Assistant Director of Operations. At LPS, she built data-informed, repeatable systems for evaluating building capacity and guiding long-range planning.

Prior to LPS, Hay spent 16 years with the University of Nebraska system in increasingly senior roles, including Assistant Vice President for Facilities, Planning & Capital Programs and Director of Capital Construction. She played a key role in carrying out a $400 million state-backed capital renewal initiative and oversaw the development of campus master plans for the University of Nebraska campuses in Lincoln, Omaha, and Kearney. She also led the consolidation of four separate departments into a unified "One Facilities" operation while preserving each campus's distinct identity and culture.

“SCC is in the midst of one of the most significant transformations in its history and the decisions we make about our campuses now will shape the college for decades,” said Dr. Paul Illich, SCC president. “Brooke has led capital planning and construction on a scale few people in Nebraska have. Her experience with the University of Nebraska’s $400 million capital renewal effort makes her exactly the right leader to help us continue on this transformational trajectory.”

Hay's leadership philosophy rests on three principles: operations as the backbone that enables an institution's mission, inclusive collaboration, and a focus on finding solutions. Throughout her career, she has developed compliance frameworks that reduce risk while empowering teams to serve with confidence, and she views infrastructure and process as essential to creating places where students and employees feel they belong.

“I believe deeply in public education and the role it plays in strengthening lives, communities, and opportunities,” said Hay. “What drew me to SCC is its commitment to doing more for students and for southeast Nebraska through intentional investments in people, places, and the experiences that connect them. I’m excited to join this team at such an important moment and help shape what comes next for our communities and the future of our state.”

Hay holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her early career included work in Residence Life and with Up With People.

Born and raised in York, Hay now lives in Palmyra with her husband, John, and their children, Liatris and Hubbard. She enjoys skiing, rollerskating, books and movies with her family, and she volunteers with local organizations.

Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu