Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

Students Faculty Staff Community
University of Nebraska Omaha logo
Academic Affairs
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
Students Faculty Staff Community
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • Meet our Team
    • Annual Report
    • Accreditation
    • Colleges
    • Centers and Institutes
    • Research and Creative Activity
    • Licensure
    • Communications
  • Curriculum & Programs Backback to Main menu
    • Course Development
    • Program and Unit Development
    • Course, Laboratory, Miscellaneous Fee Proposals
    • Education Policy Advisory Committee
    • General Education and Dual Enrollment
  • Assessment & Review Backback to Main menu
    • Student Learning Outcomes
    • Assessment Committee
    • Assessment Resources
    • Academic Program Review
    • Academic Planning Council
    • General Education Assessment
  • Faculty Life and Retention Backback to Main menu
    • Center for Faculty Excellence
    • Faculty Senate
    • Faculty Advisory Committee
    • Faculty Development Fellowships
    • Leadership Opportunities
    • Fulbright Program
    • Faculty Evaluation and Advancement
    • Faculty Credentials
    • Faculty Workload Policy
    • Faculty Searches and Recruitment
    • Collective Bargaining Agreement 2023-25
    • Documents and Resources
  • Honors & Awards Backback to Main menu
    • Honors & Awards
    • President's Excellence Awards
    • Chancellor's Awards
    • Campus-wide Faculty Awards
    • Staff Awards
    • Student Honors Convocation
    • UNO Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Global Engagement
    • Community Engagement
    • Academic Communities
    • Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships
  • Initiatives
  • Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund Projects

Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award

  1. UNO
  2. Academic Affairs
  3. Honors & Awards
  4. Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award

  • Related Resources

  • Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Distinguished Research or Creative Activity Award
  • Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award
  • Faculty Service Learning Award
  • Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award
  • Outstanding Honors Faculty Award
  • Additional Resources

  • Faculty Awards
  • Faculty Honors Convocation Program
  • Staff Awards

Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award

Recognizing Jodi Benenson: 2024 Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award Recipient

Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award

The Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award recognizes excellence in global or community engagement. Global engagement refers to the many ways faculty work to connect UNO to the world through their teaching, research and creative activity, and service. UNO defines community engagement as the “collaboration between the University and its local, regional, national and global communities for the exchange of knowledge and resources.”


Jodi Benenson Headshot Photo

Jodi Benenson, Ph.D.

School of Public Administration
College of Public Affairs and Community Service


Dr. Jodi Benenson, Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration and program chair of the Master of Public Administration, has exemplary dedication to community engagement and her deep commitment to fostering civic engagement, and social impact has made her a standout leader in the community. With a distinct background that spans professional roles and academic pursuits, she has consistently sought to build bridges between higher education and community service. Her contributions and engagement expand far beyond the classroom into local, national, and international connections.

Dr. Benenson’s ability to create and foster meaningful partnerships is one of her key strengths. She has collaborated with schools, nonprofit organizations, and various community groups, aligning the needs of these stakeholders with academic resources to promote positive, lasting change. These partnerships testify to her ability to foster collaboration, enhance community capacity, and address complex social challenges.

Dr. Benenson’s commitment to research, teaching, and service is evident in her work. She advocates for integrating community engagement into the academic curriculum, ensuring that students gain real-world experience while contributing to the public good. Through her work, Dr. Benenson has helped shape the next generation of public servants, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to lead and serve in an increasingly complex world. Her students consistently benefit from her mentorship and her unwavering dedication to their success.

Her leadership in community engagement and her dedication to student success have all contributed to her well-deserved recognition with the Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award. Her work has left a lasting mark on the University and the broader community, making her a truly deserving recipient of this honor.


Nomination Information

Download the Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award nomination criteria and form.

Important Dates

  • March 1: Nomination Deadline
  • April 1: Nominee documentation due

Past Award Winners

Year Recipient Department/School
2023 Jon Santo Psychology
2022 Sofia Jawed-Wessel Health and Kinesiology
2021 Lana Obradovic Political Science
2020 Mark Celinscak History
2019 Tej Adidam Marketing and Entrepreneurship
2019 Chris Allen Communication
2019 Joseph Allen Psychology

View a complete list of previous award recipients

Contact Us

  • Academic Affairs
  • Phone: 402.554.2262
  • Email: academic.affairs@unomaha.edu

Related Resources

  • Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Distinguished Research or Creative Activity Award
  • Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award
  • Faculty Service Learning Award
  • Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award
  • Outstanding Honors Faculty Award

Additional Resources

  • Faculty Awards
  • Faculty Honors Convocation Program
  • Staff Awards

Academic Affairs

Contact Us
  • Academic Affairs
  • 202 Eppley Administration Building
  • 6001 Dodge Street
  • Omaha, NE 68182   map
  • 402.554.2262
  • academic.affairs@unomaha.edu
Social media
Resources
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Service Learning Academy
  • Information Technology Services
  • Catalogs
  • Academic Calendar

Next Steps

  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)

Just For You

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List

Popular Services and Resources

  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • The Maverick Store
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence

Affiliates

  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • ©  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • MavsReport

Social Media


Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.