Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

On January 7, 2015 the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced the 240 U.S. colleges and universities receiving its 2015 Community Engagement Classification. The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), originally classified in 2006 as one of the original 74 colleges and universities to receive the Community Engagement Classification, received continuing classification as a Community Engaged institution.

The classification was awarded based on a review of UNO’s application which included documentation of institutional commitment, advanced curricular and assessment practices, and deep community partnerships.

Below is information that was used to support UNO’s Community Engagement Classification portfolio.

Annual Addresses/Speeches

Community and global engagement is often at the heart of UNO Chancellor John Christensen's addresses or speeches. Explore the links below for transcripts of these messages.

2006 "A Snapshot in Time: The State of the University, October 2006" (.pdf)
2007 "Living in the Future, Understanding the Past" (.pdf)
2008 "UNO 100: Central to Our City, Fulfilling the Promise" (.pdf)
2009 "101 Years: Writing the Next Chapter" (.pdf)
2010 "A Time to Be Bold: Opportunities and Challenges in 2011" (.pdf)
2011 Convocation Address (.pdf)
2012 State of the University Address (.pdf)
2012 Community Engagement Center Groundbreaking Speech (.pdf)
2013 State of the University Address (.pdf)
2013 Omaha Press Club Speech: "Recent Changes at UNO" (.pdf)
2014 State of the University Address (.pdf)

Published Editorials

2008 "UNO is interacting more with Omahans" (.pdf)
2009 "Community engagement greatly important to problem-solving" (.pdf)
2009 "UNO's CPAC Outreach: Statewide Vision" (.pdf)
2009 "New Meaning for 'Town and Gown:' UNO shows public spirit" (.pdf)
2010 "Statewide Service Work: UNO's Outreach" (.pdf)
2011 "State of the University Address: UNO is set to move ahead" (.pdf)
2012 "UNO Spring Break: Time off to help others" (.pdf)

Campus Publications

Community engagement is one of the University of Nebraska at Omaha's campus priorities and is often the focus of university press releases.

Press Releases: December 2007 through March 2014 (.doc)
"Campus Priorities: Charting a Clear Vision for 20/20" (.pdf)

Other (Conference Presentation)

In 2012, UNO presented to members of the Coalition of Urban and Metro Universities (CUMU) on the topic of "Working Together: A Values Approach for Strengthening University/Community Partnerships."

View the presentation (.pdf)

Mission or Vision Statement

Our Mission

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is Nebraska's metropolitan university -- a university with strong academic values and significant relationships with our community that transform and improve life.

UNO will:

Place students at the center of the educational enterprise;
Expand the educational achievement, intellectual aspirations and horizons of our students with local, state, national, and global communities;
Offer comprehensive educational programs and services of the highest quality;
Serve as a recognized center for research, scholarship, creative expression and artistic performance designed to meet the broader community's needs;
Provide outreach partnerships that address the concerns and interests of the broader external community and, in doing so, become an integral part of the community;
Build understanding and respect in academic and human relationships by reflecting the dynamic and culturally rich nature of the metropolitan area;
Exercise statewide responsibility for selected graduate and undergraduate programs.

Our Vision

The University of Nebraska at Omaha will be a metropolitan university of high distinction -- a university with strong academic and scholarly values distinguished by creative relationships with the communities we serve.

View our Historic Campus Mission (.pdf)

Strategic Plan

The University of Nebraska at Omaha has been involved in strategic planning since its doors opened in 1908. In 1997, that involvement expanded into a new campus-wide strategic planning initiative. Faculty, staff, students and members of the community have created a dynamic process that encourages good ideas, allows employees to shape direction, and is transforming our institution.

View the UNO Strategic Plan (.pdf)

Accreditation/Reaffirmation Document/QEP

View the 2012 Systems Portfolio

News Articles

From January 2009 through March 2014, news items regarding the University of Nebraska at Omaha's dedication to community engagement and service learning garnered global attention by reaching tens-of-millions of unique visitors and a potential viewership of more than half-a-billion.

Circulation

Unique Visitors: 80,226,564
Potential Viewership: 543,131,586

View key media engagement stories from January 2011-March 2014 (.pdf)
View media information (.xlsx)
View media information (.pdf)

Because Place Matters

UNO will serve as host of the 2015 Coalition of Urban and Metro Universities (CUMU) Conference.

The conference will take place in the new Commmunity Engagement Center, with the theme of “A Love of Place: The Metropolitan Advantage.”

UNO and Omaha have long had a dynamic, fruitful partnership with a shared goal: changing lives of students and residents while enriching the global community.

Connect With Us

Related Content

Statements of Affirmation of Community Engagement Re-classification

Instituitional Identity and Culture

Additional Resources