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

Weitz Innovation and Excellence Initiative Stories

  1. UNO
  2. Academic Affairs

Omaha philanthropists Barbara and Wally Weitz have made a $14 million gift commitment to invest in strategic priorities and leadership at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) through the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund.

The Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund is awarded to strategic UNO priorities that may benefit from new investment. The fund’s purpose is to elevate particularly good programs to nationally recognized ones while addressing critical areas of need in Omaha and the state of Nebraska.

The stories below highlight how some of this generous gift is being used to support our city and state.

A person wearing a green sweater holds a 3D-printed prosthetic arm with an orange and red design. A reflective panel behind the arm shows its mirrored image.

3D Printing for Healthcare Education and Workforce Development

This project will equip students with hands-on experience in 3D printing for medical applications.

Read the full story
Three people pose in front of the AI-CCORE poster featuring a neon brain graphic highlighting AI-related themes, including research and workforce development.

AI-CCORE

AI-CCORE—the Artificial Intelligence Center for Collaborative Outreach, Research, and Education—will position UNO as a leader in AI innovation, education, and industry partnerships.

Read the full story
A group of young professionals work together on coding projects in a modern office. They are smiling and engaged, with multiple computer screens displaying lines of code.

AI CodeLab System

The AI CodeLab System will create an interactive, hands-on AI coding platform to be used across multiple colleges at UNO.

Read the full story
A group of young professionals gather around a table, laughing and stacking their hands together in a gesture of teamwork. Charts, graphs, and a laptop are visible on the table, indicating a collaborative project or brainstorming session.

Change Lab for Engagement Capacity Building

The Change Lab for Engagement Capacity Building will serve as a resource center and innovation hub, equipping faculty and staff with the tools, policies, and support needed to integrate community engagement into their teaching, research, and service.

Read the full story
the nebraska state capitol building

Civic Leadership Fellows Program

This three-year experiential learning initiative designed to develop future leaders in public service, civic engagement, and global leadership.

Read the full story
An older man in glasses and a plaid shirt discusses a document with a younger woman in a beige sweater. They sit at a table with a laptop and papers in an office setting.

Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development Hub

The Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development (CSW) Hub at UNO will serve as a hub for competency-based education (CBE), the UNO Skills Lab, and industry collaboration, supporting academic programs as they align with real-world workforce needs.
Read the full story
AI-generated image blending past and future, showing a lively jazz scene on the left with musicians in vintage clothing playing instruments on a city street. On the right, a futuristic scene features young people wearing virtual reality headsets, playing instruments like keyboards and saxophones. A glowing digital divide separates the two worlds, transitioning from sepia tones to neon blue. A sign reads "Destination Omaha," tying the historical and modern elements to the city.

Destination Omaha: Spatial Immersion Project

This project will create an interactive, technology-driven experience that allows users to explore Omaha’s historical neighborhoods, businesses, and cultural landmarks. 

Read the full story
A group of students and faculty sit around a table in a classroom, engaged in discussion. Papers, notebooks, and drinks are scattered across the table.

Developing Educators and Promoting Achievement (DEPA)

The Developing Educators and Promoting Achievement (DEPA) project seeks to recruit, retain, and support educators, ensuring schools have access to well-prepared teachers. 

Read the full story
A word cloud with the largest words being "General Education," surrounded by terms like collaboration, creativity, growth, knowledge, and critical thinking in white, red, and gray on a black background.

General Education Transformation

This initiative will enhance the curriculum by integrating critical thinking, integrative learning, and community engagement into core courses.
Read the full story
A collection of colorful percussion instruments displayed on a round, marble-patterned drum. The set includes a green egg shaker, two purple maracas, a black-handled mallet with a foam head, a blue wrist jingle bell strap, and a pair of yellow castanets.

HeartBeats

HeartBeats builds on this rich history by providing a safe space to engage and socialize through music-making experiences that encourage sharing and connection.

Read the full story
Three professionals in a modern office discuss code displayed on multiple computer monitors. One person is seated and gesturing while talking, with two colleagues standing and listening attentively. The room has a glass wall and is equipped with multiple screens showing lines of programming code.

NebraskaCYBER MATRIX

NebraskaCYBER MATRIX—Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Threat Response Initiative for Cybersecurity Excellence—will establish a state-of-the-art AI-enabled Security Operations Center (SOC) and a cybersecurity bootcamp at UNO
Read the full story
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.

North Omaha Initiative

This project is a community-driven education program that brings UNO courses directly to North Omaha community spaces.

Read the full story
High school students participated in a production of “Legally Blonde” at Gene Leahy Mall in downtown Omaha for the Summer Musical Theatre Academy.

Summer Musical Theatre Academy (SMTA)

SMTA provides tuition-free, industry-level training for high school musical theatre performers, technicians, and musicians in the Omaha area.
Read the full story
Summer Scholars and Summer Bridge students stand on the step of the Arts & Sciences Hall.

UNO Jumpstart

This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between high school and college by extending the successful Summer Scholars Program.
Read the full story

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.