Landscapes of Belonging is collaborating with the UNO Service Learning Academy to support service-learning projects engage Omaha and Nebraska communities through a human rights framework.
Landscapes of Belonging in Nebraska and Beyond
Nebraska’s communities are shaped by a wide range of histories, identities, and experiences. Landscapes of Belonging supports research, teaching, and public engagement that explore how belonging is built, sustained, and experienced in Omaha, across Nebraska, and beyond.
The project highlights human rights questions that affect communities throughout the state, including access, participation, representation, safety, and the opportunity to thrive. Through collaborative, community-based work, the initiative fosters learning, connection, and engagement across Nebraska and beyond.
Research. Support research on human rights, community belonging, and civic inclusion in Nebraska and beyond, with attention to how local communities experience social, cultural, and institutional change.
Teaching. Develop courses, service-learning opportunities, and internships that connect students to human rights issues in Omaha and Nebraska through ethical community partnership and engaged learning.
Community Engagement. Strengthen UNO’s relationships with local communities and organizations by supporting projects, events, and public conversations that advance belonging, mutual understanding, and human rights in Nebraska.
The project highlights human rights questions that affect communities throughout the state, including access, participation, representation, safety, and the opportunity to thrive. Through collaborative, community-based work, the initiative fosters learning, connection, and engagement across Nebraska and beyond.
Research. Support research on human rights, community belonging, and civic inclusion in Nebraska and beyond, with attention to how local communities experience social, cultural, and institutional change.
Teaching. Develop courses, service-learning opportunities, and internships that connect students to human rights issues in Omaha and Nebraska through ethical community partnership and engaged learning.
Community Engagement. Strengthen UNO’s relationships with local communities and organizations by supporting projects, events, and public conversations that advance belonging, mutual understanding, and human rights in Nebraska.
Landscapes of Belonging: Service Learning Grant
Landscapes of Belonging is collaborating with the UNO Service Learning Academy to support service-learning projects that engage Omaha and Nebraska communities through a human rights framework.
Projects may partner with community-based organizations, schools, cultural institutions, mutual aid networks, or other local groups whose work relates to belonging, access, civic participation, or community well-being.
Projects may partner with community-based organizations, schools, cultural institutions, mutual aid networks, or other local groups whose work relates to belonging, access, civic participation, or community well-being.
Expectations of applicants
- Applicants are full or part-time faculty members teaching at UNO.
- Applicants can teach in-person, online or hybrid courses.
- Applicants will teach a course in Spring or Fall 2026 with the service learning component that incorporates refugees or refugee organizations in Omaha.
- Applicants attend the Service Learning Seminar in Summer 2025 or have attended before.
Successful applicants will receive a $1,000 course development stipend. Selection will be made by Dr. Lana Obradovic, Goldstein Family Community Chair in Human Rights; Julie Dierberger, UNO Chief Engagement Officer; and Dr. Laura Alexander, Director of the Goldstein Center for Human Rights. Stipends will be distributed at the beginning of the semester in which the course is taught.
Application materials
Please submit:- A letter from the applicant to include:
- Course description and outline of the service learning project
- Faculty member’s experience teaching service learning courses
- Implementation timeline
- Potential community partners
- Letter of support from the department chair
- Course outline/syllabus provided to students
Submit your application by 11:59 PM on August 15, 2025.
Please direct questions to Dr. Lana Obradovic or Dr. Julie Dierberger.