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Kurt Elder, NCTA Alumni President
Can you share a little about your background and where you are from?
I’m from Imperial Nebraska. I graduated high school in 1999 and didn’t really want to go to college. I wanted to farm with my family and related businesses; however, in the course of my high school years I did earn a scholarship to McCook Community College (MCC). Briefly, I was active in FFA and found success in Range Judging - placing in the top ten at a five-state regional competition. Livestock judging on the other … just wasn’t a fit. I mean, I tried but that’s a talent. Anyway, at the urging of family I enrolled at MCC to give it a try and attend for one week. I quickly knew that it wasn’t for me and took my education and future firmly in my own hands. I traveled to NCTA to meet with Dr. Don Woodburn. Before I left that day, he offered me a comparable scholarship and that is how I got my start at NCTA!
What did you study while at college/university?
At NCTA I double major in Agriculture Business, and Agriculture Production Systems. At Chadon State College I earned a BAS in Computers and Technology. At UNL I earned a masters in Community and Regional Planning and another Leadership Education.
What are some of your favorite memories or experiences as a student?
Three memories come to mind.
(1) When I attended there were a number of dances held each year in the student union. To that end Dr. Jo Bek would teach country dance lessons a few times each year. I came from a dancing family (square, county, etc.) so it was fun helping others learn. It was such a community building experience.
(2) I had a great network of friends (Miranda Lehman Buntley, Lisa Thiessen Bahns , Arlan Mients, and the late Stacey Christensen among others) to grow with. I know that’s a common refrain, but I wanted to be sure to thank them in this little public way for the memories.
(3) I vividly remember 9/11 2001, and I remember the faculty & staff taking time to help students process the world as it unfolded. Alan Hodges and Cathy Nutt are faculty that really helped me begin to process that experience.
How has your education here influenced your career or life path?
NCTA gave me the opportunity to see that I was good at school (e.g., I think I graduated high school with a 2.6 GPA). NCTA was the right size, and pace for me to transition into new opportunities. NCTA gave me space to develop my own voice and sharpen my curiosity.
What is your current profession/role, and how did you get there?
I work for the City of Lincoln Urban Development Department as Senior Planner (e.g., Working title). My most recent biography that I used for a lector series at the UN College of Engineering reads, “With over 17 years of dedication to urban development and planning, my work at the City of Lincoln and its nonprofit partners is driven by a commitment to community enhancement, socio-economic research, neighborhood development, applied statistics, and efficient program implementation. As a certified AICP and GISP professional, I align my efforts with the organization's mission, fostering growth through informed planning, data analysis and AI. My approach brings diverse perspectives to our initiatives by leveraging extensive experience to meet the city’s and its residents' evolving needs. My diverse academic background, including studies in planning, leadership development, public administration, social geography, agriculture, and statistics informs this work.
I graduated from NCTA and returned home to work for an internet provider startup, Chase3000. My time working in the computer lab came with learning additional skills that proved useful. I got to climb large towers, administer servers, setup broadband service in people home and setup relays across southwest Nebraska and northeast Colorado. In time I knew I need to make more money to ‘get into farming’ so I attended Charon State College (CSC) with my fellow NCTA graduate Bahns to obtain a BAS in Computer Technology. While I was studying for my CCNP (i.e., think internet development and security) I was impacted by the site of an elderly native America eating discarded food from a waste receptible, from his bare hands, on a winter morning day. A light bulb went off and I knew wanted to do something else, other than farming. I went into community and regional planning & leadership education master dual degree at UNL after I graduated from CSC.
I also, have my own practice, ‘Information Art’ where I work with clients to solve problems through planning, data analysis, and project management.
Are there particular accomplishments or experiences you’re most proud of?
Having a family aside. Being a union president, being the Nebraska GIS/LIS association president, putting on an annual precision ag conference, helping to build an online system for RentWise to increase renter education, being recognized as one of Lincolns 20 under forty, publishing several books, and running marathons.
What motivated you to serve as alumni president?
I have said numerous times that there is no place like NCTA to those who ask me about my time there. Giving time to the alumni has always been on my to-do list, and I was looking for a new adventure when I had a chance run in with Kristin Houska with the Nebraska Foundation. We discussed an opening on the board and chose to run for that seat.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term?
In my first year on the board, I want to (a) get our digital footprint defined, (b) update our by-laws, (c) identify new alumni leaders to create a space for mentorship and transition and (d) I want to call some many of you to build our community.
How do you see alumni playing a role in supporting current students and the college?
As a board I see value in supporting student engagement in events that the Curtis Community puts on. Also, I see us as mentors who can help students navigate a world that is becoming increasingly data-driven and complex. We aren't just names on a list; we are the 'living proof' that technical education is a powerful launchpad.
What message would you like to share with fellow alumni?
To my fellow Aggies—especially those of you running businesses, managing operations, and keeping our rural economies moving—my message is one of shared stewardship. I’ve spent the last 15 years looking at the 'big picture' for the City of Lincoln, and through my private practice, I’ve worked with local leaders from Norfolk to Gothenburg to help revitalize their downtowns. If that experience has taught me anything, it’s that a healthy community isn't built on grand, sweeping promises; it’s built on the quiet, consistent work of people like us. Showing up and being present are so important. I truly believe that 'the smallest deed is better than the grandest intention'. Whether it’s mentoring a new hire, investing in a piece of tech that makes your shop more efficient, or just showing up for a neighbor, those are the deeds that actually move the needle and make our communities, wherever, a better place.
How can alumni get more involved or reconnect with the college?
The most impactful way to reconnect is to visit nebraskaaggies.org/about to share your story and how your NCTA education has served your career or business. I’d be truly appreciative to see you at our annual meeting this June, but you can also make a lasting difference by simply spreading the good word about our campus or volunteering as a local recruiter in your area. If you find yourself in a position to give, please reach out to the foundation via email or phone to help us invest in the next generation of technical leaders. Your engagement is a meaningful way to respect our shared technical heritage while ensuring the college remains a cornerstone for Nebraska’s future.
Keep an eye on the website! It’s a connection spot to all the great work in our alumni sphere. From the graduation books to the fantastic alumni/outreach efforts that the college produces. All good ways to stay connected.
Do you have any advice for current students as they prepare for their futures?
My best advice is to master your technical craft at NCTA while never losing sight of the people your work is meant to serve. I have found in my own career that the smallest deed is far more valuable than the grandest intention, so focus on showing up and doing the work with integrity every day. As you step into your future, look for opportunities to grow by staying curious and learning from the seasoned voices around you. You have been given a versatile and high-quality foundation here; use it to be a proactive problem-solver for your community.