The Maverick Trailblazer Award

This award recognizes exceptional contributions to our university and beyond through outstanding achievements in teaching, research/creative activity, and/or service.

The award offers an opportunity to celebrate and honor those who have demonstrated excellence and commitment across multiple areas of academic and community engagement.

Help us celebrate UNO’s excellence by nominating a deserving colleague (self-nominations are also accepted).

Award Details

• Award Amount: $3,000

• Selection Process: The Faculty Senate will select three finalists, from which one winner will be chosen.

• Eligibility: Open to all full-time faculty members at UNO.

• Criteria: Recognition of excellence in teaching, research/creative activity, and/or service.

• Presentation: The winner is required to deliver a community-focused keynote presentation as part of a special ceremony recognizing their accomplishments in Fall 2026.

• Application Due Date: The full application is due on March 18, 2026.

Nominate a Maverick

Do you have a colleague that you believe would be an excellent candidate for the Maverick Trailblazer award? Submit their info and UNO Faculty Senate will reach out to them and let them know that someone thinks they should apply!

Submit your nomination

Apply for the Award

The full application is due on March 18, 2026. Nominations for this award must include the following items:

1. Letter of nomination highlighting the nominee’s exceptional contributions and why they should be awarded the Maverick Trailblazer award. Self-nominations will be accepted. Nominations should be less than 500 words.

2. Letter of support from a colleague, professional industry colleague, community member, University student, or supervisor (ie: department chair or college dean).

3. Nominee’s Curriculum vitae

4. Lecture proposal – In 2 pages or less, nominees should submit a proposal as to how their teaching, research, creative activity, or service exemplify the Maverick Spirit, reflecting your work as a connector, collaborator, and/or innovator. This proposal should also outline their public lecture including the topic, and general flow of the lecture.

5. Video Pitch - Nominees are required to submit a video link (ie: Yuja or YouTube) with a no more than 5-minute “pitch” presentation. This video should help the committee get to know the nominee and better understand what the lecture will entail if the nominee is chosen.

Evaluation of Applications

The Engagement Committee of Faculty Senate will review the nominations for the Maverick Trailblazer Award and make a recommendation to the Faculty Senate for each year’s award.

Applications will be evaluated holistically, for their connections, collaborations, and innovations that make this faculty member a transformative trailblazer during their time at UNO.

The award-winning faculty should embody the Maverick Spirit through strength, resilience, curiosity, independent thinking, and entrepreneurism in their everyday deeds and collective endeavors. The award-winning faculty should embody the Maverick Spirit representing outstanding examples of UNO faculty, and in general be well-rounded in their contributions. UNO has awards for teaching, for research, for community engagement — this award represents “best of show” for faculty.

One of the goals of this award is to showcase the amazing faculty we have on campus. In consideration of applications, the committee should make an effort to circulate the award among the various UNO Colleges.

Need Assistance?

Please email UNO Faculty Senate at unofacultysenate@unomaha.edu if you have a question.