Carla Dirkschneider started her tenure at Clarkson College in 2003, where she taught for five years before becoming the Program Director for the Health Care Business and Health Information Management programs in 2008. She assumed the Vice President of Enrollment and Retention (VPER) position in July of 2023. In her role as VPER, she leads and supports the following departments/areas: Enrollment and Advising, Financial Aid, Information Technology, Institutional Effectiveness, Registrar, Student Life & Academic Success (Library, Bookstore, Food & Apparel, Success Center, Testing Center, Counseling Services, and the Residence Hall), and the Center for Teaching and Learning. In addition, Ms. Dirkschneider plays an active role in accreditation, strategic planning, quality & process improvement initiatives, as well as serving as an adjunct faculty. She truly loves everything about education.
Ms. Dirkschneider grew up in Dodge, a small town in northeast Nebraska and has lived in Omaha since attending college. Her educational history includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from College of Saint Mary, a Master of Science in Health Care Business Leadership from Clarkson College, and she is currently working on her Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University. She is also credentialed as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
In addition to her duties at Clarkson College, Ms. Dirkschneider likes to volunteer her services as an accreditation peer reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education's (CAHIIM) health information management programs, as well as participate on CAHIIM's Health Science Accreditation Council. She also serves on the Nebraska Health Collaborative Board of Directors for CyncHealth and is actively involved with the Clarkson College Alumni Association and the Nebraska Health Information Management Association (NHIMA).
Ms. Dirkschneider's favorite quote is one of the guiding principles she tries to live by each and every day:
“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way” – Napoleon Hill.
This motto has served her well professionally. In 2017, Ms. Dirkschneider was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Award Winner by the Midland Business Journal and in 2018, NHIMA awarded her with the Distinguished Member award for her dedication and contributions to the health information management profession. Outside of work, Ms. Dirkschneider enjoys reading, playing card games, going to Broadway plays, taking her nephews to NE football games, and generally spending time with family and friends.
Conference Presenter, “Getting Work Done Together: Student Enrollment in Turbulent Times” CACUBO 2023 Annual Conference, Omaha, NE. October 2023.
Conference Presenter, “Strategy Adaptations during Uncertain Times” Leadership in the 21st Century: Ushering in the Postindustrial Paradigm, Indianapolis, IN. October 2021.
Conference Presenter, “Professional Communications: The Good, Bad and the Ugly” Nebraska Health Information Management Association, Kearney, NE. April 2016.
Guest Speaker, “Health Care Business Careers” Papillion-LaVista High School and Elkhorn High Schools, December 2013, April 2014, December 2014, May 2015, December 2015, December 2016, February 2017, May 2017, December 2017, April 2018, May 2018, December 2018, May 2019, December 2019, May 2021, November, 2022, May 2022.
Conference Presenter, “Working Together…Radiology and HIM” Nebraska Student Radiology Technology Association (NSRT), August 2013.
Conference Presenter, “Cyber-faculty and the Virtual Adjunct” International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education National Conference, Las Vegas, NV. April 2011.
Webinar Presenter “Target: ICD-10-CM/PCS” Co-Presenter for the Private Practice Associates Group, April 2011.
Guest Speaker, “Target: ICD-10-CM/PCS” Co-Presenter for the Private Practice Associates Group, Bellevue NE. March 2011.
Master’s Capstone Project, “Development of Accreditation Standards and Marketing Plan for Project Management Curriculum”. Omaha, Nebraska; Spring 2007.