About
Barbara Weitz
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, she boasts an impressive academic background, which began at Westside High School and continued with a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College in 1970. She earned her Masters of Public Administration from New York University in 1973, a Masters of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1991, and was a PhD candidate at the Mandel School at Case Western Reserve University.
In 1969, she blazed a trail as the first female summer substitute mail carrier. After graduation, her professional journey led her to roles in the Governor’s Office of Minnesota and in the research department at G.A. Saxton & Company, a Wall Street investment firm, in New York.
She also dedicated a substantial portion of her career to the UNO Grace Abbott School of Social Work, starting as a Graduate Assistant in 1987 and later transitioning to a full-time instructor from 1991-2007.
Her engagement in community work is extensive. Among other roles, she has served as the Founding Board Chair for the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Midlands, national board member of the Samaritan Institute, and has been involved in various church-related committees. She showcased her leadership skills through Board participation, including Avenue Scholars, Building Bright Futures, Nebraska Families and Children Foundation, Urban League of Nebraska, Omaha Women’s Fund, chaired the grants committee at the University of Nebraska Foundation, as well as the University of Nebraska Omaha and Carleton College capital campaign committees.
In 2018, she was elected to the Board of Regents. She has served on all four of the regent committees, and is currently chairing the Audit and Risk Management and Academic Affairs committees.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. Awards and honors in her name include the Four Year Regent Scholarship in 1966, the Graduate Dean Thesis Award in 1991, the UNO Outstanding Teaching Award, the Women’s Center for Advancement’s Tribute to Women Annual Award, and the Greater Omaha Women’s Fund Women’s Spirit Award. Her written contributions include publications in renowned journals and book chapters including a significant report on Women and Leadership in 2007 for the Omaha Women’s Fund.
In addition, she was named outstanding College of Public Affairs Alumna of the year at UNO, Order of the Tower and Outstanding UNO Alumna from the Alumni Association. On a personal note, she is married to Wally Weitz. They share three children and six grandchildren.