Diane Mendenhall was named Executive Director of the Nebraska Alumni Association in 2008. Under Mendenhall's leadership, the association adopted a new focus—to help more than 180,000 University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni living across the country and around the world maintain a lifelong connection to the university.

To this end, Mendenhall and the association staff have concentrated on developing programs and events designed to engage alumni with their respective areas of interests at UNL. Highlights include:

• Strong partnerships with the University of Nebraska Foundation, the Nebraska Athletic Department, the UNL Chancellor's Office and the colleges—all of which will allow the alumni association to better serve the needs of alumni.
  
• The growth of the alumni chapters and groups program. Nearly 20 chapters and affiliates have been added during Mendenhall's tenure.
  
• New ways for alumni and friends to connect with the university, and with each other, like the Volunteer Opportunity Bank, Football Fridays, Big Red Weekend, social media and more.
  
• Programs to prepare students for their transition to alumni status, with mentoring and career development opportunities through Scarlet Guard (the association's student organization).

Mendenhall also serves as a member of Chancellor Harvey Perlman's Senior Administrative Team for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In this role, she focuses on opportunities for alumni to support the growth and progress of UNL.

Previous Career Highlights
Before assuming her current position, Mendenhall spent eight and a half years with the Nebraska Athletic Department. During the latter half of her tenure, Mendenhall served in various roles within the Athletic Department's administration, culminating with her role as the Assistant Athletic Director for Development & Ticketing. The total revenue of these two operations, excluding capital campaigns, produced more than $52 million annually, nearly 75 percent of the Athletic Department's yearly budget.

Prior to serving as an Assistant Athletic Director, Mendenhall spent four years as the NU Volleyball Director of Operations. During this time, the Nebraska Volleyball the team compiled a record of 128-9 with three Big 12 Championships, two final four appearances and one national championship.

Before arriving at UNL, Diane was a National Consultant for Curtis and Associates, speaking on motivation and philosophy across the country. She was the first consultant to speak internationally for the communications company. Mendenhall has also served as a head volleyball coach at the collegiate and high school levels.

About Diane
A native of Ogallala, Neb., Mendenhall earned her a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas, where she was a four-year starter for the Jayhawk Volleyball Team and the team captain as a senior. She continues to maintain close ties with the sport, serving as a color analyst for the Husker Sports Network radio broadcasts of Nebraska Volleyball and as an occasional radio host for the Husker Volleyball Show with John Cook.

Mendenhall and her husband, Rich, have one daughter, Ally. She is a 2009 graduate of Yale University and currently works for Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns.