Jon Watts has been appointed senior associate vice chancellor for business and finance at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson announced the appointment July 14.

In the role, Watts will provide day-to-day leadership support for the university’s Office of Business and Finance, overseeing units including Finance, Budget, Human Resources, University Operations and the University Police Department. He will report to Anne Barnes, interim vice chancellor for business and finance, and serve as a member of the university’s Executive Leadership Team.

Watts brings experience from both the public and private sectors to his new role.  Since September 2025, he has served as senior associate vice president and chief operating officer for the University of Nebraska system, where he supports systemwide operations and strategic initiatives. He will continue in that role while providing interim leadership to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Before joining the NU system, Watts spent 15 years at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, including eight and a half years as vice chancellor for business and finance. He also previously served as regional general manager for ALLO Communications.

A native of Kearney, Watts earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a master’s degree in management from Bellevue University.