Helmbrecht named Dean

CHADRON – Following a national search, Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht has been named the Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences as announced by Chadron State College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly.
Helmbrecht, who has been serving in the role since June 30, is no stranger to CSC. She was a 10-year member of the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation faculty, before serving as interim dean last academic year.
"I am truly honored to continue as the Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences at Chadron State College," Helmbrecht said. "This college means a great deal to me, and I’m looking forward to working alongside dedicated students, faculty, and staff. Together, we can do great things."
In a school that includes diverse disciplines, Helmbrecht said she plans to support faculty, staff, and students by listening and being available.
“There are a variety of needs that must be met and it's hard to identify what those are from within my own office. I intend to get out of my office as much as I can and meet people in their spaces. I want to engage meaningfully with students and faculty, and continue to be active on campus. Supporting students and seeing them achieve their goals is what motivated me to continue this path in higher education, and I never want to lose that,” she said.
Helmbrecht said her immediate priorities are to continue building a vision for the school, aligning initiatives with the college’s and system office’s strategic plans, focusing on curriculum review and alignment, encouraging the inclusion of innovative teaching strategies, and providing time and support for programs facing re-accreditation visits in 2025-26.
She said she is excited to continue reviewing processes for increased efficiency and building relationships with external partners.
“I believe there are many opportunities for students within our region to take their learning and extracurricular experiences to the next level,” Helmbrecht said.
Helmbrecht earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Central Michigan University, a master’s in physical education from the University of Nebraska Kearney, and a doctorate in health education from A.T. Still University. She finds her background in health education and wellness helps her lead with a humanistic approach.
“This is work and we have lives outside of CSC. I want all employees to honor that balance so when they show up to campus, they can be present and stay focused, and when they leave work, they can maintain time for themselves and/or their families. If we don't take care of ourselves outside of work, we can't achieve our goals while we're at work,” she said.
While at CSC, Helmbrecht has helped many achieve their goals by serving as an advocate for students, wellness, and mental health. She became the institution’s first female Faculty Athletic Representative in 2021 and was named CSC’s Campus Wellness Officer in early 2023 after successfully authoring an application for a $100,000 wellness grant from the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska. She said the grant was intended to help students and assist with the workload of CSC’s counselors. A separate grant from Healthy Blue allowed Helmbrecht to initiate a bike-sharing program on campus that will begin its fourth year this fall
In the community, Helmbrecht, who graduated from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Emerging Leaders Program in 2022, is the president of the Northwest Nebraska Trails Association, a group involved in maintaining trails for hiking and non-motorized vehicles. She is the former secretary of Bike Walk Nebraska, a member of the American College of Health Association, and a certified group fitness instructor by the American Council on Exercise. Additionally, she and other instructors provide free yoga sessions on campus during the academic year.