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Academic Affairs News

Monday, September 14, 2026
  1. UNO
  2. Academic Affairs
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indextrue178898162438862863802News CenterThe Academic Affairs New Center1462078800000Academic Affairs News Center/news/indexAcademic Affairssite://Academic Affairs/news/indexswheat16751169300930792423117893926104751789362000000
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1788843600000First-time freshmen, graduate students, and transfer students are driving another year of stable enrollment for the University of Nebraska at Omaha. /news/2026/20260824_first-day-of-class-kick-back_008-web.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/20260824_first-day-of-class-kick-back_008-web.jpgwww20260824_first-day-of-class-kick-back_008-web.jpg1037191200800The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Durango Days First Day of Class Kick Back was held at UNO Dodge Campus Housing’s Maverick Village. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications. Five UNO students smile and hold signs with messages including “Future Alumni,” “Manifesting 4.0 Energy,” and “Catch Me on the Dean’s List” during an outdoor campus event. ///YouTube

First-time freshmen, graduate students, and transfer students are driving another year of stable enrollment for the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) according to new data from UNO’s Division of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success (IESS). 

➡️ What’s new: While UNO’s total headcount of 14,810 total students is a 1% decrease from the Fall 2025 semester, UNO’s graduate enrollment of 3,157 students is up .4%.  

💡Why it matters: Increases in graduate students, first-time freshmen (1.4%), and transfer students (7.2%) reflects progress in ongoing efforts to strengthen Omaha’s workforce by: 

  • Equipping working professionals with new or expanded skills through graduate education.  
    Streamlining the transfer experience through initiatives like UNO and Metropolitan Community College’s (MCC) Momentum partnership.  
  • Strategic travel and outreach for undergraduate recruitment team with 118,000 miles traveled and over 1,100 recruitment events.
  • Additionally, 6,640 students enrolled in Summer 2026 semester courses, a slight increase from Summer 2025.  

📈 By the numbers:  

  • The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences (CEHHS) saw increases in both undergraduate enrollment (2.2%) and graduate enrollment (5.4%).  
  • The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) saw undergraduate enrollment increase nearly 1%.  
  • The College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) graduate enrollment increased by 10.1%.  

🎤 What they’re saying: “This year’s enrollment data shows we are a university that meets learners where they are in their educational journey. Whether you are transferring to, building your skills as a graduate student, or starting your journey as a college freshman, the path to a fulfilling career that makes a difference in our city and our state runs through UNO,” UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA said.  

💻 Read more:  

  • 2026 U.S. News Report Lists 10 UNO Grad Programs Among Best in the Nation 
  • UNO Ranked No. 1 for Traditional and Online Education by Military Times 
  • UNO Leads Nebraska in 2026 WSJ College Rankings for Value, Mobility, Experience 
  • Report: UNO Alumni Fuel $2.4 Billion Boost to Omaha’s Economy
////Yes/news/2026/08/uno-welcomes-nearly-15,000-mavericks-for-fall-2026departmentOffice of Strategic Marketing and Communicationsphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryGeneral Publiclocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/08/uno-welcomes-nearly-15,000-mavericks-for-fall-2026wwwuno-welcomes-nearly-15,000-mavericks-for-fall-2026Standard Page - wwwUNO Welcomes Nearly 15,000 Mavericks for Fall 2026First-time freshmen, graduate students, and transfer students are driving another year of stable enrollment for the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Sam PeshekFirst-time freshmen, graduate students, and transfer students are driving another year of stable enrollment for the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Sep 8, 2026 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1787954400000Relive all the excitement from UNO’s Official Welcome Week!/news/2026/08/durango-days-1.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/durango-days-1.jpgwwwdurango-days-1.jpg3053671200800GLO with MavPro was held in the Pep Bowl during Durango Days on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, August 27, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin) A crowd at a nighttime concert cheers and raises glowing multicolored foam sticks behind a metal barrier, illuminated by vibrant pink, purple, blue, and green lights./news/2026/08/durango-days-2.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/durango-days-2.jpgwwwdurango-days-2.jpg1990361200800Two groups of cheerleaders perform on a football field, with one group forming a stunt and tossing teammates into the air while another group in red skirts and white tops performs with white pom-poms in the foreground.University of Nebraska at Omaha students kicked off the fall semester by attending MavFest, a men’s soccer game, and convocation on Dodge Campus in Omaha, Nebraska, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The men’s soccer team was play Florida International. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/durango-days-3.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/durango-days-3.jpgwwwdurango-days-3.jpg1219741200800A woman at a podium with a microphone addresses a crowd.University of Nebraska at Omaha students kicked off the fall semester by attending MavFest, a men’s soccer game, and convocation on Dodge Campus in Omaha, Nebraska, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Here, Chancellor Joanne Li welcomes students. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/durango-days-4.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/durango-days-4.jpgwwwdurango-days-4.jpg2401121200800Five students pose outdoors, smiling and holding colorful signs with messages about academics, energy, food, and the dean’s list.Durango Days: First Day of Class Kick Back was held at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Dodge Campus housing’s Maverick Village in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday, August 24, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/durango-days-5.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/durango-days-5.jpgwwwdurango-days-5.jpg2114461200800Three friends smile and pose together outdoors while holding cups of shaved ice at a colorful food stand.Durango Days: First Day of Class Kick Back was held at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Dodge Campus housing’s Maverick Village in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday, August 24, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/movie-night-1.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/movie-night-1.jpgwwwmovie-night-1.jpg1854401200800THREE STUDENTS SMILE AND POSE WHILE HOLDING PRETZELS IN FRONT OF A PRETZEL STAND OUTSIDE AT NIGHT.Durango Days: Mav Movie Night was held at the Health and Wellness Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/movie-night-2.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/movie-night-2.jpgwwwmovie-night-2.jpg3082581200800A large group of people gathers on blankets and chairs inside a basketball gym for a movie night, with a large inflatable movie screen set up on the court.Durango Days: Mav Movie Night was held at the Health and Wellness Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/camel.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/camel.jpgwwwcamel.jpg1680811200800A student smiles and poses while a camel sniffs his face,A student poses with a camel during Durango Days Hump Day at the Maverick Monument on August 26, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/rso-1.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/rso-1.jpgwwwrso-1.jpg2334421200800Three students pose behind a table at a campus event, with a large “Black Excellence” banner and university-themed display in front of them. The table features a QR code, informational materials, and candy.Students attended the Registered Student Involvement Fair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Health and Wellness Center during Durango Days in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/rso-2.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/rso-2.jpgwwwrso-2.jpg2536641200800Students gather around a table at a campus involvement fair, talking with representatives and looking at event materials, a laptop, and sign-up sheets.Students attended the Registered Student Involvement Fair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Health and Wellness Center during Durango Days in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/glo-1.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/glo-1.jpgwwwglo-1.jpg1422461200800A crowd gathers at a nighttime event, waving colorful glow sticks as silhouetted people move through fog and bright stage lighting.GLO with MavPro was held in the Pep Bowl during Durango Days on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, August 27, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)/news/2026/08/glo-2.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/glo-2.jpgwwwglo-2.jpg1634831200800A group of people at a nighttime event smile and raise colorful glowing foam sticks while standing behind a crowd barrier under blue and green lighting.GLO with MavPro was held in the Pep Bowl during Durango Days on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, August 27, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)YouTube

Welcome Week has officially come and gone, leaving the UNO community with new memories and plenty of vigor for the exciting semester of discovery that lies ahead.  

Throughout Welcome Week, UNO student organizations and groups, departments across campus, local businesses, and community sponsors gathered to welcome new Mavericks, build formidable relationships and friendships, and look ahead to another year of campus and community connection. 

Highlights from Durango Days 2026

🤘MavFEST and Convocation

Hundreds of new and returning students kicked off the week at MavFEST across the Milo Bail Student Center Plaza, jamming out to music, snagging free swag and meals, and getting ready to catch the first Omaha Men’s Soccer game! Chancellor Li gave students an official Maverick welcome! 

🍦 First Day of Class Kick Back

After the first official day of classes, students were able to unwind, courtesy of UNO Housing & Residence Life, with Kona Ice, yard games, music, and a photo booth at the University Village Clubhouse! 

🥨 Movie Night 

Pretzels in hand, students gathered for a late-night screening of Project Hail Mary at the H& K gym! 🛸👽🪐 

🐪 Hump Day! 

For a mid-week pick-me-up, students got to meet and pose with camels by the Maverick Monument to celebrate making it halfway through week one! Students also received free swag and sandwiches from Pickleman's and Chick-Fil-A!

🎟️ RSO Involvement Fair 

Student organizations shined at the RSO Involvement Fair hosted by Student Leadership and Involvement. New Mavs were introduced to academic and professional organizations, cultural groups, Greek life, recreational groups, and so much more! 

🚀 GLO! at UNO 

Hundreds of students packed the Pep Bowl for a late-night glow-in-the-dark dance party! Covered head to toe in galactic goo, good vibes and great music had Mavs celebrating the good things to come this semester! 

////Yes/news/2026/08/snapshots-2026-durango-daysdepartmentUNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communicationsphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryParents and FamiliesGeneral PublicCurrent StudentsFacultyProspective StudentsStaffMediaAlumnilocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/08/snapshots-2026-durango-dayswwwsnapshots-2026-durango-daysStandard Page - wwwSnapshots: 2026 Durango DaysRelive all the excitement from UNO’s Official Welcome Week!Marlo LarsenRelive all the excitement from UNO’s Official Welcome Week!Aug 28, 2026 5:00 PM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1786640520000The Board of Regents also approved the design report for a new baseball and softball clubhouse for Omaha Athletics; construction to commence Monday. /news/2026/08/adrian-header-photo.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/adrian-header-photo.jpgwwwadrian-header-photo.jpg2265361200800A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)A rendering of a new training facility on UNO's campus with the name 'Howard L. Hawks Training Center' on the front./news/clubhouse-1.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/clubhouse-1.jpgwwwclubhouse-1.jpg2332591200800A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Rendering provided by HDR) A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/clubhouse-3-web.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/clubhouse-3-web.jpgwwwclubhouse-3-web.jpg3074671200800A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Rendering provided by HDR) A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/hawks-web-4.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/hawks-web-4.jpgwwwhawks-web-4.jpg2300291200800A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/hawks-center-3.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/hawks-center-3.jpgwwwhawks-center-3.jpg2494601200800A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/2026/08/adrian-1.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/adrian-1.jpgwwwadrian-1.jpg1784601200800A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/2026/08/adrian-2.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/adrian-2.jpgwwwadrian-2.jpg2183401200800A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/2026/08/adrian-3.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/adrian-3.jpgwwwadrian-3.jpg2761361200800A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/2026/08/adreian-4.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/adreian-4.jpgwwwadreian-4.jpg2368261200800A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)/news/2026/08/adrian-5.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/adrian-5.jpgwwwadrian-5.jpg1854171200800A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR).A new training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is being named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks. (Artist's rendering/courtesy of HDR)YouTube

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Thursday approved the naming of a new $55 million training center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks, who passed away in 2024. An intermediate design report for a $12.5 million baseball and softball clubhouse project also received approval by the regents. 

The two projects, part of the third phase of Omaha Athletics’ Campus Masterplan, represent a $67.5 million privately funded investment in the holistic student-athlete experience at UNO. Located south of Center Street, the projects will modernize UNO’s athletic facilities and elevate the university as a rising national power among NCAA Division I programs. 

The Hawks Family is among a group of donors, all of whom generously funded these facilities. 

Howard L. Hawks Training Center

Located just east of Baxter Arena and connected by an elevated skywalk, the Howard L. Hawks Training Center will house modern competition and practice courts, community event areas and student-athlete support services, including academics, strength and performance, nutrition, mental health, locker rooms and lounges for select sport programs. The facility is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2028. 

A rendering of the new Howard L. Hawks Training Center being constructed at UNO. The Board of Regents approved the naming of the center on Thursday. (Rendering provided by HDR)

Howard Hawks was a co-founder of Tenaska, one of the nation’s largest independent energy companies. He and his wife, Rhonda, provided decades of leadership, philanthropy and service to the University of Nebraska. They have supported various projects spanning academics, healthcare and athletics across several campuses. An alumnus of UNO’s MBA program, Hawks spent 18 years on the Board of Regents, twice serving as chairman. 

  • Adrian Dowell, UNO Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics: “The extraordinary generosity of the Hawks family and project donors continues to elevate what is possible for UNO. Howard Hawks believed deeply in this university and its students, and these transformational facilities will honor his legacy while creating an incredible impact for our student-athletes, our campus and the greater Omaha community. We are incredibly grateful for our supporters who continue to believe in our vision and help us raise the standard for Omaha Athletics.” 

Baseball and Softball Clubhouse

Approval of the intermediate design report allows construction of the baseball and softball clubhouse to officially begin, with construction to commence Monday. The two-story clubhouse, located at Maverick Park, will overlook Connie Claussen Field and Tal Anderson Field. 

The facility will become the daily home base for Maverick Baseball and Softball, bringing student-athletes, coaches and support staff under one roof for the first time in school history. It will house year-round training areas, sports medicine, locker rooms, lounges and coaching offices. The facility is scheduled for completion in July 2027.  

A rendering of the new baseball and softball clubhouse at Maverick Park. The Board of Regents approved the clubhouse’s intermediate design report on Thursday. (Rendering provided by HDR)

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During fiscal year 2025, a record $416.6 million was committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, a record 60,602 donors supported the University of Nebraska. Alumni engagement and fundraising are efficient, with the University of Nebraska receiving more than $7 in gifts for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University's Future is the current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at  OnlyinNebraska.org.

////Yes/news/2026/08/regents-approve-naming-of-new-uno-training-center-for-howard-hawksdepartmentphoneemailhmitchell9@omavs.com, connie.white@nufoundation.orgcategoryFacultyAlumniAthleticsCurrent StudentsGeneral PublicMedialocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/08/regents-approve-naming-of-new-uno-training-center-for-howard-hawkswwwregents-approve-naming-of-new-uno-training-center-for-howard-hawksRegents Approve Naming of New UNO Training Center for Howard L. HawksRegents Approve Naming of New UNO Training Center for Howard L. HawksThe Board of Regents also approved the design report for a new baseball and softball clubhouse for Omaha Athletics; construction to commence Monday. Hannah Mitchell - Omaha Athletics & Connie White - University of Nebraska FoundationThe Board of Regents also approved the design report for a new baseball and softball clubhouse for Omaha Athletics; construction to commence Monday. Aug 13, 2026 12:02 PM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1788282000000More than 500 Mavericks graduated this summer. /news/2026/08/img/20260508_undergrad-commencement_32.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/img/20260508_undergrad-commencement_32.jpgwww20260508_undergrad-commencement_32.jpg1949061200800The University of Nebraska at Omaha Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony was held at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday, May 8, 2026. (UNO/Ryan Soderlin)A student wearing a cap and gown waves as he walks across the stage after receiving his diploma. ///YouTube

This summer, 510 Mavericks graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), becoming the newest members of the alumni network and beginning the next chapter of their journey! 

This number marks the largest graduating summer class in recent years: 

  • 2026: 510 graduates 
  • 2025: 408 graduates 
  • 2024: 431 graduates 

Of the 510 graduates, 309 were undergraduate students and 201 were graduate students. 11 students participated in undergraduate certification offerings, and 28 in graduate certification offerings. 

The summer graduates list is now available for publication.  

Students who received academic honors are so indicated.  

Quick Reference

  • Cum Laude: GPA of 3.51 - 3.62 
  • Magna Cum Laude: GPA of 3.63 - 3.86 
  • Summa Cum Laude: GPA of 3.87 and above 

Extra Muros distinctions are so indicated for those students with transfer credits who have not completed the required 60 semester hours of credit within the University of Nebraska (NU) System required for cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude honors.

////Yes/news/2026/08/uno-celebrates-highest-number-of-summer-graduates-in-recent-yearsdepartmentOffice of Strategic Marketing and Communicationsphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryCollege of Information Science and TechnologyGraduate StudiesInternational ProgramsCollege of Arts and SciencesCollege of Education, Health, and Human SciencesCollege of Communication, Fine Arts and MediaCollege of Business AdministrationCollege of Public Affairs and Community Servicelocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/08/uno-celebrates-highest-number-of-summer-graduates-in-recent-yearswwwuno-celebrates-highest-number-of-summer-graduates-in-recent-yearsUNO Celebrates Highest Number of Summer Graduates in Recent YearsUNO Celebrates Highest Number of Summer Graduates in Recent YearsMore than 500 Mavericks graduated this summer. Marlo LarsenMore than 500 Mavericks graduated this summer. Sep 1, 2026 12:00 PM
Academic Affairs News
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1789102800000Applications for the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Funds will reopen in December, while funding awards will continue on the original July timeline. /_shared/images/1200x800/campanile/20250813_campanile_001.jpgnavigationNosite://www/_shared/images/1200x800/campanile/20250813_campanile_001.jpgwww20250813_campanile_001.jpg2306901200800Looking west toward the Henningson Memorial Campanile.///YouTube

Over the past three years, the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Funds have supported ideas designed to strengthen the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Now, the program is taking a brief pause to learn from those who have received funding and use that feedback to shape its next round.

From 3D printing for healthcare education and workforce development to AI-CCORE, Weitz-funded projects demonstrate the range of innovation happening across UNO and the ways faculty, staff, and students are using new approaches to prepare learners and serve the community.

As the initiative celebrates three successful years, UNO is taking time to look at what has been accomplished and how the program can continue to support innovative work across campus.


➡️ What’s new

  • UNO will pause the upcoming Weitz Innovation and Excellence Funds application period until December while the university gathers feedback from previous recipients through a survey.

  • As UNO prepares for the next phase of funded initiatives, feedback from previous recipients will be an important part of continuing that success.

  • The pause will allow UNO to learn from the experiences of those who have participated in the program and use that feedback to inform the next application cycle.

  • Importantly, the change to the application timeline will not change the funding award timeline. Awards will continue to be made on the original July schedule.


💡 Why it matters

  • The Weitz Innovation and Excellence Funds provide a way to support that work — giving Mavericks room to experiment, build, and discover.

⚡ What’s next

  • The Weitz Innovation and Excellence Funds application period will pause until December as UNO collects feedback from previous recipients.

  • Funding awards will remain on the original July timeline.

  • In the meantime, UNO will use what it has learned from three years of Weitz-funded innovation — and from the people who helped make that work possible — to strengthen the program for its next chapter.


Check out past funded projects.

////Yes/news/2026/09/weitz-innovation-and-excellence-funds-pause-on-applicationsdepartmentOffice of the Chancellorphoneemailpaigemessenger@unomaha.educategoryStaffFacultylocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/09/weitz-innovation-and-excellence-funds-pause-on-applicationswwwweitz-innovation-and-excellence-funds-pause-on-applicationsWeitz Innovation and Excellence Funds Pause on ApplicationsWeitz Innovation and Excellence Funds Pause on ApplicationsApplications for the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Funds will reopen in December, while funding awards will continue on the original July timeline. Paige MessengerApplications for the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Funds will reopen in December, while funding awards will continue on the original July timeline. Sep 11, 2026 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesNo1786424400000Grace Spaulding, a 2026 University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) graduate, has been selected to receive the Phi Kappa Phi Sherrill Carlson Fellowship. /news/2026/08/img/spaulding_primary_headshot.jpegnavigationYessite://Academic Affairs/news/2026/08/img/spaulding_primary_headshot.jpegAcademic Affairsspaulding_primary_headshot.jpeg414321200801Grace Spaulding, Phi Kappa Phi Sherrill Carlson Fellowship RecipientGrace Spaulding headshot///YouTube

Spaulding earned her bachelor's degree in art history from UNO and will begin pursuing a Ph.D. in art history at the University of Illinois Chicago this fall. The Sherrill Carlson Fellowship, named for former Washington State University chapter president and longtime Phi Kappa Phi supporter Sherrill Carlson, is one of the nation's most competitive graduate fellowships. The award provides $35,000 to support graduate study and recognizes exceptional academic achievement, leadership, service, and potential for future scholarly contributions.

During her time at UNO, Spaulding distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher, curator, and campus leader. She graduated with a 3.89 GPA, earned recognition as UNO's Outstanding Art History Undergraduate, and completed her undergraduate thesis and research under Dr. Adrian Duran in the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media (CFAM). She presented her research at multiple regional and national conferences, as well as internationally at the International Network for Health Workforce Education. Spaulding also served as assistant curator for Experiences in Femininity, a juried exhibition highlighting women artists and writers. She curated the annual Goodrich Art Exhibition and worked in the University of Nebraska Medical Center's McGoogan Health Sciences Library Special Collections and Archives, contributing to archival preservation and oral history initiatives.

Spaulding’s academic interests focus on the intersection of art history, medicine, memory, and caregiving. Inspired by personal experiences caring for her grandmother during Alzheimer's disease and by research opportunities at UNO, Spaulding's scholarship explores how art represents the human experience of illness and care. At UIC, her research interests will focus on early modern medical illustration in art history.

Fellowship recipients are selected based on graduate potential, academic achievement, leadership, service, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and admission to an approved graduate or professional program. Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phi's Fellowship Program has supported outstanding students pursuing graduate education. This year, the Society awarded two $35,000 named fellowships, six $15,000 fellowships, and 40 fellowships of $8,500.

Left////No/news/2026/08/grace-spaulding-pkp-fellowshipdepartmentphoneemailacademic.affairs@unomaha.educategoryAcademic Affairslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://Academic Affairs/news/2026/08/grace-spaulding-pkp-fellowshipAcademic Affairsgrace-spaulding-pkp-fellowshipUNO Graduate Receives Prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Sherrill Carlson FellowshipUNO Graduate Receives Prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Sherrill Carlson FellowshipGrace Spaulding, a 2026 University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) graduate, has been selected to receive the Phi Kappa Phi Sherrill Carlson Fellowship.Grace Spaulding, Phi Kappa Phi Sherrill Carlson Fellowship RecipientAcademic AffairsGrace Spaulding, a 2026 University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) graduate, has been selected to receive the Phi Kappa Phi Sherrill Carlson Fellowship.Aug 11, 2026 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesNo1786338000000UNO is recognizing faculty who earned promotion and/or tenure this year, key milestones that reflect excellence in teaching, research, and service. /news/2024/09/img/151102_maverickmonument_003a.jpgnavigationYessite://Academic Affairs/news/2024/09/img/151102_maverickmonument_003a.jpgAcademic Affairs151102_maverickmonument_003a.jpg9153831200800Maverick Monument on the UNO Dodge campus. There are fall colored leaves and a blue sky in the back ground.///YouTube

What’s new

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is proud to announce the latest cohort of faculty to be promoted, with some also receiving continuous appointment, across its colleges, effective with the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Why it matters

Faculty achievement drives student success, research innovation, and community impact—core to UNO’s role as a metropolitan research university. These milestones strengthen UNO’s ability to deliver high-quality education and advance knowledge that benefits Omaha and beyond.

Zoom in

Honorees include those promoted to professor and lecturer ranks, as well as faculty awarded tenure and promotion to associate professor.

College of Arts and Sciences

Promotion
  • Samantha Ammons, Professor, Sociology and Anthropology
  • Timi Barone, Professor, Sociology and Anthropology
  • Rachel Bash, Lecturer, English
  • Danielle Battisti, Professor, History
  • Elizabeth Chalecki, Professor, Political Science
  • Gwyneth Cliver, Professor, World Languages and Literature
  • Brady DeSanti, Professor, Religious Studies
  • Heather Giles, Lecturer, Psychology
  • Sara Marzioli, Lecturer, World Languages and Literature
  • Sarah Mason, Lecturer, English
  • Matthew Northam, Lecturer, Biology
  • Lana Obradovic, Professor, Political Science
  • Eric O’Brien, Lecturer, English
  • Julie Pelton, Professor, Sociology and Anthropology
  • Mithra Pirooz, Lecturer, Psychology
  • Jillian Quandt, Lecturer, English
  • Jeanne Reames, Professor, History
  • Janet Reilly, Lecturer, Political Science
  • Martina Saltamacchia, Professor, History
  • Rosemary Strasser, Professor, Psychology
  • Ryan Wong, Professor, Biology
  • Theodore Woolman, Lecturer, Chemistry
Promotion and Tenure
  • Paul Ayayee, Associate Professor, Biology
  • Jonathan Clayton, Associate Professor, Biology
  • Abigail Folberg, Associate Professor, Psychology
  • Sachin Nedungadi, Associate Professor, Chemistry
  • Mahima Saxena, Associate Professor, Psychology
  • Allison Schlosser, Associate Professor, Sociology and Anthropology
  • Jonathan Schueth, Associate Professor, Geography and Geology
  • Karina Uhing, Associate Professor, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
  • Cong Wang, Associate Professor, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

 

College of Business Administration

Promotion
  • Zhigang Feng, Professor, Economics
  • Kelsey Medeiros, Professor, Management
  • Jessica Perrigan, Lecturer, Economics
  • Jamie Wagner, Professor, Economics
  • Dustin White, Professor, Economics
  • Xiaoming Yang, Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
  • Yanhui Zhao, Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Promotion and Tenure
  • Sona Klucarova, Associate Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
  • Jinan Liu, Associate Professor, Economics
  • Zhihao (Max) Yu, Associate Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship

College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media

Promotion
  • William Cooney, Lecturer, Communication
  • Lisa Coutley, Professor, Arts
  • Lisa German, Lecturer, Communication
  • Traelon Graham, Lecturer, Communication
  • Katherine Storck, Lecturer, Communication
Promotion and Tenure
  • Teresa Carmody, Associate Professor, Arts
  • Caitlin Cass, Associate Professor, Arts
  • Katrina Cox, Associate Professor, Music
  • Lei Guo, Associate Professor, Communication
  • Herbert Thompson III, Associate Professor, Communication
  • Hannah Weaver, Associate Professor, Music
  • Kenneth White, Associate Professor, Arts
  • Ronald Zank, Associate Professor, Arts

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Promotion
  • Kathleen Hinman, Lecturer, Teacher Education
  • Andrea Karpf, Lecturer, Teacher Education
  • Kay Keiser, Professor, Educational Leadership
  • Adam Rosen, Professor, Health and Kinesiology
Promotion and Tenure
  • David Kingston, Associate Professor, Biomechanics
  • Jennifer Lemke, Associate Professor, Teacher Education
  • Kailey Snyder, Associate Professor, Health and Kinesiology
  • Christina Wilcoxen, Associate Professor, Teacher Education
  • Samuel Wilkins, Associate Professor, Health and Kinesiology

College of Information Science and Technology

Promotion
  • Ashokan Ashwathy, Lecturer, Computer Science
  • Dario Ghersi, Professor, Interdisciplinary Informatics
Promotion and Tenure
  • Deanna House, Associate Professor, Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis
  • Kwangsung Oh, Associate Professor, Computer Science

College of Public Affairs and Community Service

Promotion
  • Heidi Rueda, Professor, Social Work
  • Scott Sasse, Lecturer, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Promotion and Tenure
  • Liam Heerten-Rodriguez, Associate Professor, Social Work
  • Stevie Seibert Desjarlais, Associate Professor, Goodrich Scholarship Program
  • Lisa Smith, Associate Professor, Social Work
  • Yiwei Zhang, Associate Professor, Social Work

 What they’re saying

Phil He, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs:
“Our faculty play a vital role in advancing knowledge, supporting student success, and strengthening our community. It is an honor to recognize these individuals whose work shapes the future of our students, our university, and our community.”

Left////No/news/2026/08/faculty-promotion-and-tenure-2026departmentphoneemailacademic.affairs@unomaha.educategoryAcademic Affairslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://Academic Affairs/news/2026/08/faculty-promotion-and-tenure-2026Academic Affairsfaculty-promotion-and-tenure-2026Celebrating Faculty Excellence Through Promotion and TenureUNO Recognizes Faculty Achievements in Promotion and TenureUNO is recognizing faculty who earned promotion and/or tenure this year, key milestones that reflect excellence in teaching, research, and service. Honoring the Academic Milestones of Our Dedicated FacultyAcademic AffairsUNO is recognizing faculty who earned promotion and/or tenure this year, key milestones that reflect excellence in teaching, research, and service. Aug 10, 2026 12:00 AM
Making an Impact
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1787677200000A new imaging tool developed at UNO makes fertilized eggs in worms glow green, helping researchers uncover the biology behind infertility and early embryo development./news/2026/08/fertilize-story.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/08/fertilize-story.jpgwwwfertilize-story.jpg920001200800Bright green flouresence visualizes the precise moment an egg is fertilized. (Courtesy: Karem Kim Guisbert)Green dots indicate the fertizilation process///YouTube

What if scientists could watch fertilization happen in real time? A University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) researcher has developed a new tool that does exactly that.  

➡️ What’s new: Backed by a R15 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant, research from Biology Assistant Professor Karen Kim Guisbert, Ph.D., allows scientists to visualize the precise moment an egg is fertilized, revealed by a flash of green fluorescence inside a living organism. 

💡 Why it matters:  

  • Infertility affects approximately 11% of women and 9% of men. Problems during the transition from egg to embryo can also contribute to miscarriage.  
  • By revealing what happens in the first moments after fertilization, Kim Guisbert's research could deepen scientists' understanding of one of human biology's most fundamental processes.
  • The grant also supports student research and course-based undergraduate research experiences.  

🔎 Zoom in: At the center of the project is a new imaging system called the CaFE (Calcium during Fertilization in C. elegans) reporter, which makes eggs glow green when fertilization occurs.  

  • The research uses the microscopic roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism widely used in genetics and developmental biology. 
  • Although the worms are only about one millimeter long, they share an important characteristic with humans: fertilization happens internally.  
  • Unlike humans, however, the worms ovulate approximately every 23 minutes, allowing researchers to observe many fertilization events in a short period of time.  
  • To create the glowing reporter, Kim Guisbert used CRISPR gene-editing technology to engineer the worms so the fluorescent marker is expressed in their reproductive cells.
  • The imaging system captures the calcium signal that moves through the egg as fertilization unfolds. 

🎤 What they’re saying:  

  • Karen Kim Guisbert, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology: “Every pregnancy begins with a series of biological events that scientists still don't fully understand. By uncovering how fertilization is regulated at the cellular level, we're building knowledge that could one day help researchers better understand infertility, miscarriage, and other reproductive health challenges that affect millions of people around the world."
  • Sara Myers, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activity: "An NIH R15 award is an investment in both scientific discovery and student success. At UNO, our students work alongside faculty to tackle questions that matter and can make a real difference in people’s lives. Awards like this show that impactful, nationally competitive research is happening right here in Omaha, and our students are helping lead it." 

📌 Grant award info:  

  • Funding source: NIH NICHD 
  • Funding amount: $239,086 
  • Award number: R15HD111986
  • NuRamp number: UNO-00068476 
////Yes/news/2026/08/uno-scientist-earns-nih-grant-to-illuminate-the-earliest-moments-of-fertilization1departmentUNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communicationsphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryResearchlocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/08/uno-scientist-earns-nih-grant-to-illuminate-the-earliest-moments-of-fertilization1wwwuno-scientist-earns-nih-grant-to-illuminate-the-earliest-moments-of-fertilization1Standard Page - wwwUNO Scientist Earns NIH Grant to Illuminate the Earliest Moments of FertilizationA new imaging tool developed at UNO makes fertilized eggs in worms glow green, helping researchers uncover the biology behind infertility and early embryo development.Sam PeshekA new imaging tool developed at UNO makes fertilized eggs in worms glow green, helping researchers uncover the biology behind infertility and early embryo development.Aug 25, 2026 12:00 PM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYesDespite a push for personal finance education in schools, there's no tool to measure a student's knowledge on the topic. UNO researchers are changing that./news/personal-finance-research-story.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/personal-finance-research-story.jpgwwwpersonal-finance-research-story.jpg2073801200800UNO's Jamie Wagner, Ph.D., and UNL's Jennifer Davidson, Ph.D., present their research at the Southern Economic Association.Two women wearing identification lanyars stand side by side in front of a projector that reads "Thank you, Nebraska Council on Economic Education, NEFE"///YouTube

Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are leading a national effort to develop modern, nationally normed assessments designed to measure what K-12 students actually know about personal finance. 

Dr. Jamie Wagner, Professor of Economics and Director of UNO's Center for Economic Education, and Dr. Jennifer Davidson, Associate Professor of Practice and President of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, are leading a multi-phase research project in partnership with the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) to develop personal finance assessments for elementary, middle, and high school students. 

Thirty-nine states now require students to complete personal finance coursework before graduating high school, up sharply over the past decade. But, as of 2024, only two states require statewide testing in the subject — leaving educators, policymakers, and researchers without a nationally recognized way to measure what students have learned. 

"Personal finance education has grown rapidly across the country, but our ability to measure student learning has not kept pace," Wagner said. "This project will provide educators and researchers with a validated, nationally representative assessment that can be used to evaluate programs, inform instruction, and support evidence-based policy decisions." 

The assessments will align with the 2021 National Standards for Personal Financial Education, published by the Council for Economic Education (CEE), making them among the most current tools available for measuring financial literacy. 

The research is unfolding in five phases over 2026 and 2027. The team began in Spring 2026 by revising existing elementary, middle, and high school assessments initially written by researchers at Northern Kentucky University, updating questions for clarity, improving alignment with national standards, and balancing cognitive rigor. A panel of K-12 teachers and economics education scholars will then review the assessments before they're finalized for national data collection. 

Researchers will collect data during fall 2026 and spring 2027 using an established academic competition platform that reaches students across dozens of states, producing a nationally representative sample of middle and high school students. 

The team will then analyze the data using established psychometric techniques, including item response theory, factor analysis, and validity and reliability testing, to produce fully normed middle school and high school assessments suitable for classroom use, program evaluation, and research. 

No nationally normed assessment aligned with today's personal finance standards currently exists. That gap makes it difficult to compare programs or measure whether financial education initiatives are actually working.

The project's findings will be presented at national academic conferences and submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. A final report is expected in early fall 2027. 

Media interested in coordinating interviews Dr. Wagner and/or Dr. Davidson should contact UNO's Office of Strategic Marketing at unonews@unomaha.edu 

////Yes/news/researchers-work-to-develop-nationally-normed-personal-finance-assessment-for-k-12-studentsdepartmentphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryCollege of Business AdministrationResearchFacultyMediaParents and FamiliesGeneral Publiclocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/researchers-work-to-develop-nationally-normed-personal-finance-assessment-for-k-12-studentswwwresearchers-work-to-develop-nationally-normed-personal-finance-assessment-for-k-12-studentsStandard Page - wwwResearchers Work to Develop Nationally Normed Personal Finance Assessment for K-12 Students Despite a push for personal finance education in schools, there's no tool to measure a student's knowledge on the topic. UNO researchers are changing that.UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and CommunicationsDespite a push for personal finance education in schools, there's no tool to measure a student's knowledge on the topic. UNO researchers are changing that.Aug 11, 2026 3:00 PM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1782190800000New NCITE research shows how AI and open-source geospatial tools are reshaping the threat landscape for critical infrastructure security./news/2026/shutterstock_2289453963-web.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/shutterstock_2289453963-web.jpgwwwshutterstock_2289453963-web.jpg311971280800Photo: Shutterstock A silhouetted person wearing a hooded sweatshirt sits at a computer workstation in a dimly lit room, facing multiple monitors displaying lines of code and software windows, creating a cybersecurity or hacking-themed scene. ///YouTube

Not long ago, a would-be terrorist would have needed weeks of surveillance, technical expertise, expensive software, and help from trained specialists to understand a critical infrastructure target's vulnerabilities.  

Today, that same individual could ask an AI chatbot questions, review publicly available satellite imagery, and analyze information about a target all without leaving home.  

The accessibility of this technology has made it easier than ever for bad actors to identify and exploit weaknesses in the systems Americans rely on every day, like roads, bridges, railways, communications infrastructure, powerplants, and more.  

 ➡️ What’s new: A new study from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center examined how threat actors with varying levels of technical expertise could use open-source GIS tools, public datasets, and generative AI to conduct reconnaissance and planning activities targeting critical infrastructure.  

💡 Why it matters: Critical infrastructure operators have traditionally focused on threats involving classified information, insider access, or sophisticated technologies.  

  • The study suggests a growing challenge may come from the creative misuse of publicly available data and tools that are accessible to nearly anyone with an internet connection. 
  • Researchers found that even low-skill users could identify basic facility characteristics using free satellite imagery.  
  • When paired with generative AI, those same users were able to draw more sophisticated conclusions and generate more advanced planning scenarios than would typically be expected without specialized training. 

🔎 Zoom in: The research published through the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Tearline platform was authored by Elle Ward, a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and NCITE research assistant; Austin Doctor, Ph.D., UNO associate professor of criminology and criminal justice and NCITE director of strategic initiatives; and Ryan Vilter, a UNO MBA student and NCITE graduate research assistant. 

🎤 What they’re saying:  

  • Elle Ward, NCITE Research Assistant and University of Nebraska–Lincoln doctoral student: “People often assume it takes classified information or highly sophisticated technology to identify and exploit weaknesses in critical infrastructure. What we found is that someone with merely a laptop, publicly available information, and an AI tool can now do things that once required specialized training and resources. As AI and geospatial technologies continue to create new opportunities and efficiencies, it's crucial we understand how they could be misused, and what that means for the security of the systems and information we rely on every day.” 
  • Austin Doctor, Ph.D., UNO Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and NCITE Director of Strategic Initiatives: “Research like this helps security professionals better understand how emerging technologies are changing the threat landscape and where new vulnerabilities may exist. But just as important, it gives our students the opportunity to tackle real-world national security challenges, develop highly sought-after analytical skills, and prepare for careers in government, industry, and research where they can help protect critical infrastructure.” 

👉 ICYMI: On April 22, NCITE gave members Congress an look at how “jailbroken” AI can be exploited. Read NCITE Leads Congressional Workshop on “Jailbroken” AI Risks for more.  

📌 Award info: The research in this report was supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under Award Number 70RSAT21G00000002 / 70RSAT23FR0000114.  

////Yes/news/2026/06/plotting-an-attack-on-infrastructure-used-to-require-a-team-now-it-takes-a-laptopdepartmentOffice of Strategic Marketing and Communicationsphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryResearchCollege of Arts and Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/06/plotting-an-attack-on-infrastructure-used-to-require-a-team-now-it-takes-a-laptopwwwplotting-an-attack-on-infrastructure-used-to-require-a-team-now-it-takes-a-laptopStandard Page - wwwPlotting an Attack on Infrastructure Used to Require a Team. Now it Takes a LaptopNew NCITE research shows how AI and open-source geospatial tools are reshaping the threat landscape for critical infrastructure security.Sam PeshekNew NCITE research shows how AI and open-source geospatial tools are reshaping the threat landscape for critical infrastructure security.Jun 23, 2026 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1778734800000The most common interaction between police and community members is traffic stops./news/2026/shutterstock_2232056639-web.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2026/shutterstock_2232056639-web.jpgwwwshutterstock_2232056639-web.jpg267021200800A car gets pulled over. (Shutterstock) A car’s side mirror reflects a police vehicle with flashing red and blue lights following closely behind on a rural road at sunset ///YouTube

In Nebraska, like in most communities, the most common interaction between community members and law enforcement is through traffic stops. And the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is leading a state-wide, multi-year research effort to make those traffic stops safer for all.  

UNO researchers are working with law enforcement agencies to better understand the patterns behind them and how traffic stop data is collected and reported.  

➡️ What’s new: UNO’s Nebraska Center for Justice Research (NCJR), along with the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (SCCJ), are partnering with the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office on a research initiative, funded by NDOT to support safe traffic stops in Nebraska.  

💡Why it matters: Through analyzing data, Nebraska police agencies can better understand traffic enforcement and identify opportunities to strengthen and improve their policing practices as well as transparency, consistency, and public trust.  

  • In 2024, more than 383,600 traffic stops were reported across 185 law enforcement agencies in Nebraska 
  • In 2025, more than 445,900 traffic stops were reported across 183 law enforcement agencies in Nebraska  

⏱️ Catch up quick: The project builds on the current ‘gold standard’ for analyzing traffic stop outcomes, called the Connecticut Model. The model has been implemented in several states to help agencies better understand their own traffic enforcement practices.  

🔎 What’s happening: The project is currently in its second phase. 

  • Researchers from the SCCJ Violence Intervention and Policing Research Lab (VIPR) are conducting a statewide survey of law enforcement agencies to learn how their traffic stop data is currently collected and reported 
  • From there, the project aims to strengthen the state’s traffic stop data infrastructure, including improving data completeness, reporting consistency and analytical capacity 
  • The project will support training opportunities on officer wellness, trauma-informed policing, and implicit bias to further strengthen traffic enforcement and safety 

📈 Nebraska numbers: 

  • 2 counties had no traffic stop data reported (2025) 
  • 11 counties had incomplete traffic stop data reported (2025)  
  • 80 out of 93 counties had complete traffic stop data reported (2025)  
  • In 2025, 92.3% of all active policing agencies reported all four quarters of traffic stop data 
  • In 2024, 89.4% of all active policing agencies reported all four quarters of traffic stop data 

🎤 What they’re saying:  

  • Ryan Spohn, Ph.D., Director of NCJR, SCCJ: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership and collaboration with NDOT, as well as with law enforcement agencies across Nebraska. This work is important, and will help build stronger relationships, increased transparency, and data-driven solutions for safer communities and people. UNO is proud to be leading this effort, and grateful to each stakeholder who is helping this project move forward.” 
  • Justin Nix, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Sadaf Hashimi, Ph.D., Associate Professor, and Travis Carter, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, VIPR Lab, SCCJ: “The VIPR Lab is committed to supporting research aimed at making Nebraska safer for community members and law enforcement officers. This effort focuses on practical improvements over time, and ongoing participation from community stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and researchers reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our communities." 

🌎 The big picture: This effort lead by UNO leaders and researchers is strengthening UNO’s campus, Omaha, and Nebraska through teamwork, dynamic partnerships and shared resources, all of which exemplifies the university's core value of engagement.  

📌 Award Info:  

  • Funding amount: $994,510 
  • Funder: Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office 
  • Award number: 1906-26-03 
////Yes/news/2026/05/uno-researchers-leading-statewide-effort-to-support-fair-safe-traffic-stops-in-nebraskadepartmentOffice of Strategic Marketing and Communicationsphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryCollege of Public Affairs and Community Servicelocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2026/05/uno-researchers-leading-statewide-effort-to-support-fair-safe-traffic-stops-in-nebraskawwwuno-researchers-leading-statewide-effort-to-support-fair-safe-traffic-stops-in-nebraskaStandard Page - wwwUNO Researchers Leading Statewide Effort to Support Safe Traffic Stops in NebraskaThe most common interaction between police and community members is traffic stops.Marlo LarsenThe most common interaction between police and community members is traffic stops.May 14, 2026 12:00 AM
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Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

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