Jody Boyer Receives 2026 Excellence in Part-time Teaching Award
Jody Boyer
Studio Art
College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
UNO is proud to recognize Jody Boyer, adjunct instructor of Studio Art in the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, as the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Part-time Teaching Award. This award honors her unwavering dedication, professionalism, and compassion for her students.
Why this recipient
Boyer’s extensive experience provides her with the expertise to offer valuable support and guidance to her students.
Her accomplishments include:
- Over 20 years of service to UNO.
- Providing impactful community engagement in her courses.
- Consistently strong student course evaluations, with ratings above 4.5 in nearly every category.
- Applied research-backed teaching methods to support student learning.
- Supported UNO's recruitment initiatives through outreach and engagement activities.
Making an impact
Boyer’s teaching emphasizes experiential and community-engaged learning. Boyer strives to push her students to become professional artists through public exhibitions, collaborating with community organizations and professionalizing their artistic voices through projects that extend beyond campus. A recent partnership with WhyArts and the Community Engagement Center allowed students to help create and install the Community Visions II mural, providing hands-on experience while contributing to a lasting public artwork.
Boyer also draws on her experience as a practicing artist and educator to help students navigate the transition from the classroom to build successful lives as practicing artists. Through mentorship, networking opportunities, and career-focused instruction, she supports students to build their authentic lives as artists and creative professionals.
The big picture
Boyer's work reflects UNO's commitment to educating all learners through innovative instruction, experiential learning, and community engagement. By creating opportunities for students to apply their skills in professional settings, collaborate with community partners, and build confidence in their artistic identities, she advances UNO's mission of transforming lives through education.
Past Award Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Department/School |
| 2025 | Philip Froese | English |
| 2024 | Ashley Harlow | Department of Management |
| 2023 | Coral Hannah | Teacher Education |
Nomination Information
The Excellence in Part-time Teaching Award recognizes exceptional teaching and instructional activity by part-time faculty members at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). Dedicated and effective instructors are a university’s most important asset. At UNO, we have among us those whose performance merits special attention.
The Excellence in Part-time Teaching Award application consists of a nomination form and nomination materials, all of which are due electronically on the following dates:
- Nomination form: March 1
- Nomination materials: April 1
Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award nomination form