University of Nebraska at Omaha
2011 Chancellor's Strategic Planning Awards
The annual Chancellor’s Strategic Planning Awards at UNO are designed to recognize units, both academic and non-academic, and cross-disciplinary initiatives that exemplify a commitment to furthering UNO’s strategic goals - a focus on helping UNO’s diverse student body reach their potential, a commitment to academic excellence, and an active engagement with the community and region. The awards have been presented by the Chancellor since 2004.
2011 Awardees
Student Focus
UNO Athletes and Elders: A Community of Interest
A Partnership of the UNO Department of Gerontology, the UNO Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega, and the UNO Department of Athletics, and Desert Ministries
Initiated in 2009, this program is a partnership of the UNO Department of Gerontology, the UNO Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega , the UNO Department of Athletics and Desert Ministries, a local non-profit. The program, which is managed by students in the UNO Chapter of the gerontology national academic honor society, Sigma Phi Omega, has grown steadily with support from a small grant from the DOROT College Initiative for Intergenerational Programs. Desert Ministries helps to match the teams with the senior facilities in Omaha and train student volunteers. The goal of the project is to strengthen positive intergenerational relations by establishing a tradition for each of the UNO athletic teams to adopt an assisted living facility or nursing home each year. The teams visit their facility at the beginning of the semester to meet with the residents and discuss the upcoming season. Throughout the year, contact between team members and seniors may lead to ongoing relationships and. Each year the program develops broader engagement of the seniors and the UNO student athletes. The intergenerational contacts are enjoyable and beneficial for all. Student athletes gain new fans and friends as well as insights into aging that may help them make better decisions throughout life. Gerontology students gain actual experience in program management, and seniors’ connection with community and youth is refreshed. As participating seniors have said, “We like sports too!”
Academic excellence
UNO Honors Program
For the past 32 years, the UNO Honors Program has been specifically designed to engage talented students by providing them with the highest level of academic opportunities while they are completing their studies at UNO. Students in the Honors program come from across campus in many majors and represent the highest level of academic achievement on our campus. During the most recent university wide research fair, all six of the winning presentations were made by students in the Honors Program. In the past five years, Honors program students seeking acceptance to graduate and professional schools have had 100% success. The average rate of graduation for the past five years for students in the Honors Program has been 4.29 years. UNO Honors students participate in a wide variety of community service activities in addition to their course work and each student must complete an honors thesis mentored by a faculty advisor during the program.
Community Engagement
The Physical Activity in Health Promotion Program
UNO School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
The premise of this program is to help advance the field of physical activity promotion through engagement and service to the community. Nine graduate students and three interns in the program are funded by grants secured to help improve the health of women and children throughout the community. Among the projects are “Fit Minded”, “Ready for Recess”, “Movin’ After School” and “Healthy Families”. In each of these programs, UNO students collaborate with a variety of community partners to improve the health of participants. The community projects within the Physical Activity in Health Promotion program provide a stellar example of an academic unit that is involved across the Omaha area community with numerous community agencies such as Douglas County Health Department, Live Well Omaha and Activate Omaha.
Previous UNO Strategic Planning Awardees
2004-05
Student Focus: School of Social Work
Academic Excellence: Department of Information Systems and Quantitative Analyses
Community Engagement: UNO Center for Economic Education
2005-06
Student Focus: First Year Experience
Academic Excellence: Department of Criminal Justice
Community Engagement: International Studies and Programs
2006-07
Student Focus: Project Achieve
Academic Excellence: School of Communication
Community Engagement: Center for Public Affairs Research
2007-08
Student Focus: Library Science Education
Academic Excellence: School of Public Administration
Community Engagement: Public Relations Student Society of America-UNO Chapter
2008-09
Student Focus: Division of Continuing Studies
Academic Excellence: Department of Economics and Real Estate
Community Engagement: Center for Innovation in Arts Education
2009-10
Student Focus: CBA Maverick Investment Program
Academic Excellence: The Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility
Community Engagement: Neighborhood Center’s Graffiti Scan Program