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The North Omaha Initiative

Expanding Availability of Higher Education

A bronze statue of three jazz musicians—one playing a trombone, another singing, and the third playing a saxophone—stands under lush green trees. The statue captures the energy of North Omaha’s rich jazz history, with warm sunlight filtering through the branches.

Photo courtesy of Visit Omaha

🎯 Project Focus: The North Omaha Initiative is a community-driven education program that brings UNO courses directly to North Omaha community spaces. By offering college courses at the Urban League of Nebraska and other local sites, this initiative aims to increase UNO enrollment by reducing barriers to higher education and strengthen ties between UNO and the North Omaha community​.

💡 Why It Matters

  • Financial and logistical barriers limit college access: By offering tuition assistance and on-site academic support, this initiative helps non-traditional and first-generation students enroll and persist.
  • Education drives economic and social mobility: Creating pathways for degree completion and career advancement supports long-term workforce and economic growth.

🚀 Key Initiatives

  • UNO Courses in North Omaha
    • Offers 12-15 credit hours per semester at the Urban League of Nebraska and potential future sites like the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation.
    • Courses in Black Studies, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, and Gerontology provide a broad range of options.
  • Student Support & Transition Services
    • Provides a dedicated Transition Specialist to help students with enrollment, advising, and financial aid navigation.
    • Includes tuition assistance and Open Educational Resources (OER) to reduce financial barriers.
  • Community Engagement & Expansion
    • Builds partnerships with local organizations, schools, and churches to increase awareness and enrollment.
    • Creates pathways for students to transition from community-based courses to UNO’s main campus.

📈 Impact Goals

  • Enroll 400-500 students over three years, with a goal of 85% or higher retention.
  • Improve academic performance and graduation rates for students from North Omaha.
  • Strengthen community partnerships, reinforcing UNO’s commitment to education and workforce development.
  • Create a model for community-based higher education, expanding access beyond UNO’s main campus.