Deb Fiddelke

Journalism alumna Deb Fiddelke has been selected by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications to participate in Masters Week 2009. This prestigious honor recognizes graduates of the college who have distinguished themselves in their professions and careers. Masters Week brings successful alumni into contact with students through class visitations, campus tours and meetings with clubs and organizations.

After graduating in 1991, Fiddelke went to work for U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter. In 1994, she moved to Ohio to work for the U.S Senate campaign of Mike DeWine. In 1995, she became press secretary for U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce, a Republican from Ohio. Later that year, she became press secretary for U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel. Then she became press director in charge of writing speeches, opinion articles and press releases. In 2001, she became Hagel’s senior policy adviser and led his efforts on climate change legislation. A year later, Fiddelke moved into the White House. She worked on the Council of Environmental Quality and coordinated legislative efforts related to environmental issues. There she served as the White House liaison to the U.S. Senate and later became deputy assistant to the president for Legislative Affairs. Fiddelke concluded a six-year stint in the White House earlier this year, where she finished up as deputy assistant to the president for Legislative Affairs. Fiddelke’s latest job was with Chicago 2016, the organization that worked to bring the 2016 Olympics to the Windy City.

Masters Week was founded in 1964 by then-Chancellor Clifford Hardin. More than 200 alumni have returned to campus as masters since the program’s inception.

UNL faculty nominate alumni each winter for the next year’s program. A committee appointed by the chancellor selects masters. The Office of the Chancellor and the Nebraska Alumni Association sponsors Masters Week.