Dan E. Ernst

Retired, former Associate Executive Director, Nebraska Council of School Administrators

Dr. Dan Ernst recently retired as the Associate Executive Director of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), 2007-2024. His key responsibilities included mentoring and training programs for new school superintendents and principals, in addition to working as a Registered Lobbyist for NCSA. He continues to work with school administrators across Nebraska as a resource and consultant. As a former active NCSA member, he served as Chairman of NCSA from 2004-2005 and was a member of the Legislative Committee from 2003 to 2012. Ernst served on the Board of Directors for the Educators Health Alliance (EHA) from 2002 to 2012 and served as Chairman 2010 to 2011. EHA is the organization responsible for the administration of the health insurance plan for over 80,000 teachers and administrators.

Ernst presently serves as a member on the Nebraska Safety Center Advisory Board, (Pupil Transportation) and has served on numerous committees for the Nebraska Department of Education and within his local communities. Ernst has spent his entire professional career involved in education. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State College; Master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney; Educational Specialist and Educational Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Aurora Nebraska native
has served in Nebraska schools as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. Prior to employment as the NCSA Associate Executive Director, Ernst served as Superintendent of Schools with School District 145 (Waverly) from 1994 to 2007. He was recognized as the Nebraska Superintendent of the Year in 1994 and has received numerous recognition and awards throughout his tenure as a school administrator.

Ernst and his wife Dixie, reside in Lincoln, NE and enjoy spending time as grandparents.