In December 2025, Peter G. McCornick, Ph.D. will step down from his role of executive director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and retire from the University of Nebraska after nearly a decade of leading the institute. DWFI extends its deepest gratitude for McCornick’s exceptional leadership and dedication. His visionary guidance has been instrumental in advancing our mission and his tenure has been marked by significant growth, expanded global reach, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring a water- and food-secure world.
Since joining DWFI, Dr. McCornick’s visionary leadership has propelled the Institute to new heights. Under his guidance, DWFI has solidified its position as a global thought leader in sustainable water management for agriculture. Key accomplishments and milestones during his impactful decade include:
- Bringing Nebraska’s Leadership to the Global Stage: Under Dr. McCornick’s leadership, DWFI has leveraged the agricultural and water management expertise of the University of Nebraska (NU) and extended it with strong state, national and international partnerships to have the greatest impact. A cornerstone of Dr. McCornick's legacy is the cultivation of robust international partnerships, expanding DWFI, NU and the state of Nebraska’s global presence and influence. His leadership fostered deeper ties with organizations like the World Water Council, the Nature Conservancy and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). He also played a foundational role in the FAO Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG), serving on its steering committee since its inception. DWFI's active participation in prestigious international forums such as World Water Week, the Africa Food Systems Forum, the World Meteorological Organization's Drought Resilience +10 Conference, and the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue underscores his dedication to driving global dialogue and solutions for water and food security.
- Expanded Research Footprint: Dr. McCornick championed the expansion of DWFI's research portfolio, leading to advancements in the areas of high-productivity commercial agriculture, smallholder agricultural water management, and the intricate connections between environmental and human health in agricultural systems. This includes the continued growth and collaboration of decision support tools for growers in Nebraska and across the region, optimizing nutrient and water quality management. Dr. McCornick’s leadership and support led to significant initiatives, including a USAID-funded Feed the Future Lab led by the institute and a recent $3.5 million Gates Foundation grant to expand "Irrigation as a Service" in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, Dr. McCornick was instrumental in the formation of the Water, Climate and Health Program (WCHP) in 2020 through a joint effort by the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, DWFI, and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. This program, funded by a $5 million gift from the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation, focuses on interdisciplinary research, education, and solutions for public health challenges related to water and climate globally and in Nebraska, leveraging the Nebraska Water Center's 60-year history in water quality.
- A Global Platform for Knowledge Exchange: The Water for Food Global Conference, a pivotal event under Dr. McCornick's leadership, has consistently served as a global forum for thought leaders addressing critical issues of feeding a growing planet while conserving natural resources. Since its inception in 2009, the conference has significantly expanded its reach, attracting top industries, agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions worldwide. DWFI, along with state partners, has also hosted numerous delegations from around the world, showcasing Nebraska's expertise in productive and sustainable irrigated agriculture through effective governance and water resource conservation. This ongoing growth and broad participation, including a diverse array of international organizations and private sector entities, continuously elevates the global profile of DWFI and amplifies Nebraska's leadership in agricultural water management.
- Cultivating Future Leaders: Beyond research and partnerships, Dr. McCornick has been deeply committed to education and capacity building. His consistent support for DWFI-supported students and Faculty Fellows across all four University of Nebraska campuses are testaments to his dedication to nurturing the next generation of water and food security experts. These connections are vital to the institute's interdisciplinary research and outreach efforts, strengthening the connection between the institute's global mission and the University of Nebraska's expertise.
- Strategic future planning: Dr. McCornick led DWFI through a comprehensive strategic planning process, setting the course for future work. This collaborative process resulted in a refreshed 5-year strategic framework, reinforcing DWFI’s commitment to interdisciplinary research, impactful outreach, and cultivating the next generation of water and food security leaders. This deliberate planning ensures the Institute remains at the forefront of addressing critical global challenges, leveraging Nebraska's unique strengths to drive innovative and sustainable solutions for a water- and food-secure world.
As Dr. McCornick concludes his tenure, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute extends its profound gratitude for his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication. His visionary guidance has left an indelible mark, shaping the Institute into a leading force in the pursuit of a water and food secure world. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors, confident that his contributions will have a lasting impact for generations to come.