David Brinkerhoff is Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of Sociology at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he has been since 1978, serving as Associate Vice Chancellor since 1991. Dr. Brinkerhoff has taught family and parent-child relationships, covering such topics as children's work in the family and the effect of economic marginality on the family. He also focuses on such issues as introducing technology in the classroom. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Washington in Seattle, with B.S. and M.S. degrees from Brigham Young University.
Suzanne Ortega was named Vice Provost for Advanced Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri, Columbia in the fall of 2000. Previously she served as an Associate Dean in Graduate Studies and Professor of Sociology at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, teaching both introductory sociology and social problems. Dr. Ortega's interests are directed toward the social psychological consequences of inequality. She is currently working on a National Institute of Mental Health grant to examine rural-urban differences in help-seeking for depression and alcohol abuse. Other projects include a Center for Substance Abuse Treatment contract for a statewide assessment of… substance abuse treatment needs and a Pew Charitable Trust Preparing Future Faculty grant. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Vanderbilt University.