Background

Since its inception in 1908, engagement and outreach to the Omaha community has been a cornerstone of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). The university utilizes outreach to enhance teaching and research through service learning, internships, practica and research.

A component of UNO’s constitution focuses on offering public service to the citizens of the state: “UNO exists for the purpose of providing appropriate educational opportunities, discovering and disseminating knowledge through research and teaching, and offering public service to the citizens of the State, particularly the residents of the Omaha metropolitan area…”

UNO has been recognized for the following engagement efforts:

2006: Among the first universities to receive "Community Engagement Classification" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

2006: Listed in the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

2009 "Honorable Mention," Washington Center's Higher Education Civic Engagement Award

2010: Finalists for the President's Award, a top award in the general service category of the Presidents Honor Roll

2011: Listed among 141 institutions recognized "with distinction" and on the Presidents Honor Roll

Top 25 "Best Neighbor" colleges and universities among 125 institutions who participated in the survey "Saviors of Our Cities: A Survey of Best College and University Civic Partnerships"

UNO's Service Learning Program recognized as an "Academic Program to Look For" among 42 programs listed nationally by U.S. News and World Report

In addition to its national recognition, UNO holds numerous engagement programs and activities including: UNO Service Learning Academy (SLA) and Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, Brennan Labor Institute, Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC), Center for Public Affairs Research, Summer Works, Aim for the Stars, and UNO/Building Bright Futures Initiative.

For more information on the CEC please review the Community Information Presentation.