Organizational Structure
NSWERS Organizational Structure
Governance and Oversight
The Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS) operates as a public entity established under the Nebraska Interlocal Cooperation Act. NSWERS maintains Nebraska’s P-20W information system, integrating education and workforce data to support research, policy development, and decision-making.
NSWERS is governed by an Executive Council, which provides strategic oversight, policy direction, and fiduciary accountability. This governance structure ensures that NSWERS operates transparently, responsibly, and in alignment with state and federal laws.
Executive Council
The NSWERS Executive Council is the governing body of NSWERS and consists of four representatives from Nebraska’s education sectors:
- Nebraska Commissioner of Education (or designee)
- President of the University of Nebraska (or designee)
- Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System (or designee)
- A President from one of Nebraska’s Community Colleges (elected by the community college presidents)
The Executive Council is responsible for:
- Defining strategic priorities and approving NSWERS’ annual budget.
- Establishing policies for data governance, security, and reporting.
- Overseeing NSWERS’ Executive Director, who manages day-to-day operations.
- Appointing representatives to advisory committees.
NSWERS Committees
To support governance and operations, NSWERS has standing committees that provide expertise and recommendations:
- Management Committee – Oversees operational management and strategic implementation.
- Advisory Committee – Engages stakeholders outside the NSWERS partner agencies to inform objectives.
- Technology Committee – Guides data infrastructure, integration, and security standards.
Roles and Responsibilities
NSWERS Executive Director
The Executive Director serves as the principal executive agent of NSWERS, responsible for:
- Executing the policies and priorities set by the Executive Council.
- Managing the technical, research, and administrative functions of NSWERS.
- Ensuring compliance with governance policies and state/federal regulations.
NSWERS Partners, Affiliates, and Contributors
NSWERS collaborates with public agencies and institutions responsible for collecting and maintaining educational and workforce data. These include:
- Partners – Nebraska Department of Education, University of Nebraska System, Nebraska State College System, and Nebraska’s Community Colleges.
- Affiliates – Entities required by law to contribute information but are not signatories to the NSWERS Interlocal Agreement.
- Contributors – Other organizations that share relevant information, such as the National Student Clearinghouse.
Data Privacy and Security
NSWERS operates under strict data privacy policies to protect information while ensuring its responsible use for evaluation and analysis.
Data Management and Security Measures
NSWERS adheres to state and federal laws, including:
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
- Social Security Act (SSA) regulations on workforce data privacy
- Nebraska state laws governing data protection and confidentiality
Access to data is role-based and requires appropriate authorization, training, and legal agreements. NSWERS does not release individual-level data to unauthorized entities and ensures that public reports contain only aggregated, de-identified data.