Marysz Rames, Ed.D.
Dr. Marysz Rames was appointed the 13th president of Wayne State College by the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees on June 18, 2015. She came to Wayne State from Dakota State University in Madison, S.D., where she had served as interim president since Aug. 15, 2014. 
President Rames’ time at Wayne State has been marked by a strong focus on the future of the college’s academic programs, partnerships, strategic enrollment planning, fundraising, raising the visibility of the college, renovation of campus facilities, and the college’s new Center for Applied Technology.
Enrollment Growth
Under the leadership of Rames, Wayne State identified and executed five components of a plan designed to grow Wayne State’s enrollment, which for Fall 2018 resulted in the largest class of new students since 1995 and the third largest since 1970. The college also saw a 14.83 percent increase in new transfer students with 240 and a 24% jump in graduate students to hit 660 for the fall semester. Wayne State opened the 2019-20 academic year with a nearly 7% increase in enrollment.
Rames has led a strategic enrollment plan that has focused on excellent and relevant academic programs, especially those in tune with changing workforce requirements; a solid integrated marketing plan along with a comprehensive recruitment communication plan; an appropriate admissions strategy that supports creative and innovative recruitment efforts based on robust data and realignment of staff to better serve prospective students and their parents; a vigorous scholarship plan that rewards students for their commitment to furthering their education and supports the college’s efforts to maintain the affordability of a Wayne State degree; and support services that help students reach their goal of earning their degree.
New Programs
During her time as the leader of Wayne State, the college has added agricultural engineering and mechanical engineering in partnership with UNL College of Engineering; plant biology-ecology and management and applied science in partnership with UNL Agriculture; fermentation science; agricultural communication and leadership; forensic science; pre-public health with UNMC; pre-athletic training; accelerated nursing with UNMC; manufacturing management; Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP) with UNL Law; and online undergraduate options in criminal justice, business administration, and human resource management. Rames also oversaw the creation of graduate programs in special education (MSE), public affairs (MSOM), and cross-curricular education (MSE).
New Partnerships
Rames’ partnership-building efforts have included the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for 2+2 engineering (mechanical, agricultural, Pathways to Engineering program) and 2+2 agriculture (applied science, animal science, plant biology-ecology and management, agribusiness, entomology); community college partnerships with Metropolitan CC for a dynamic pathway to a Bachelor of Technology degree, Western Iowa Tech, Central CC, Northeast CC, and Indian Hills CC; international partnerships with the ministries of education of Curacao and Aruba; partnerships with Regional School Districts that include ESU2: Pathways 2 Tomorrow (including eight regional school districts), Mastering the Arts Grant, Native Culture Awareness Grant, Academies of Grand Island Senior High (GISH), Norfolk Catholic High School, Students to Teachers through Educator Pathways (STEP) with South Sioux City, Norfolk, O’Neill, West Point/Beemer, and Advisory Council to Educator Preparation (ACEP); and work with business and industry to form the Industrial Technology External Advisory Council and Geothermal Greenhouse project.
Dr. Rames' Education
- Ed.D. Adult and Higher Education, University of South Dakota (Vermillion), 1997
- MSE Educational Administration, University of Northern Colorado, 1986
- B.S. Business Administration, Communication Studies (Minor in Economics), University of Northern Colorado, 1982
Previous Leadership Experience
During her time at Dakota State, Rames was instrumental in promoting a strong shared governance system, finalizing the university’s five-year strategic plan, revitalizing the university’s Foundation, and actively raising funds to increase scholarships. Rames also worked with the legislature and others in several major new construction and renovation projects.
Prior to her interim appointment, Rames served as the vice president for student affairs from 2000 until June 2015 at South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings. As the senior student affairs officer, she oversaw numerous university divisions and initiatives, including, but not limited to, enrollment management, student success, strategic planning, fundraising/fiscal management, diversity and inclusion, collaborative partnerships, leadership development, and increasing efficiency and effectiveness for students.