Awards and Recognitions

In recognition of excellence in a variety of capacities, the Institute and several members of our staff have received awards at the national and state levels, including:

• Visionary Leadership Award from the Simms/Mann Institute. Samuel J. Meisels, founding executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, was named the 2019 winner of the visionary leadership award by the Simms/Mann Institute—one of the highest career honors given to early childhood experts.

• National Association of State Boards of Education Friend of Education Award. The Buffett Institute was honored as the 2020 Friend of Education by the National Association of State Boards of Education. This national award is given annually to an individual or organization whose contributions to PreK−12 education are significant and enduring.

State

• Richard D. Holland Presidential Chair in Early Childhood Development. The University of Nebraska awarded an endowed presidential chair to Samuel J. Meisels in 2017. This award is the highest academic honor the university can confer on its faculty and recognizes those who are leading scholars within a discipline. Recipients of the award are selected based on outstanding teaching and research ability, academic promise, and career accomplishments.

• Nebraska State Education Association Friend of Education Award. The Buffett Institute was honored as the 2018 Friend of Education by the Nebraska State Education Association. This state award is given annually to an individual or organization that has made a statewide contribution to education or educators.

• Nebraska Head Start State Children’s Champion Award. Kathleen Gallagher, director of research and evaluation at the Buffett Institute, received the 2021 Nebraska Head Start State Children’s Champion Award, which celebrates the important contributions of an individual or organization to Head Start children and families.

• University of Nebraska 2022 President’s Excellence Award. Dalhia Lloyd, director of professional learning at the Buffett Institute, serves on UNL’s Racial Literacy Roundtables leadership team, which plans and delivers virtual professional learning sessions for pre-service teachers to help them develop racial literacy skills. This team received the university’s 2022 President’s Excellence Award.

• Plambeck Early Childhood Pioneer Award. Samuel J. Meisels received the 2022 Plambeck Early Childhood Pioneer Award honoring his 50-year career and dedication to children and families. Named for LaVonne Plambeck, a champion for early childhood education in Nebraska, the award is given annually to individuals who are deeply invested in early childhood education.