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College of Arts and Sciences News

Sunday, June 22, 2025
  1. UNO
  2. College of Arts and Sciences
  3. CAS News
indextrue1750489208249systemNews RoomMavericks are making news. Follow the latest headlines to learn about our dedication to students, our national recognition for community engagement and Division I athletics, and the opportunities to excel in scholarship and research. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are changing the landscape of our community every day.News from the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Nebraska at OmahaNews Room/news/indexCASsite://CAS/news/indexearenner14110591686843345569417498455640291515391200000
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1749790800000College of Arts and Sciences students stood out from the crowd this spring — and snagged a handful of awards to prove it! /cas-awards-2025-2.pngnavigationYessite://CAS/cas-awards-2025-2.pngCAScas-awards-2025-2.png13835301200800The University of Nebraska at Omaha campanile. The tan campanile is in front of red roses, and has a blue sky in the background. ///YouTube

 Click for quick scroll to specific awards: Student Research and Creative Activity Fair, Student Honors Convocation, Department Awards

 

 

Student Research and Creative Activity Fair:  

Performances:  

  •  Outstanding Graduate Performance: Aaron Scobie (John Price – Mentor) 

Exhibits:

  • Meritorious Undergraduate Exhibit or Demonstration: Jen Riedl (Kristin Girten – Mentor) 

Posters:

  • Outstanding Undergraduate Poster Presentation: Megan Althouse (Michael Matthews – Mentor)   
  • Meritorious Undergraduate Poster Presentation: Brooklynn Schmidt (Lisa Scherer – Mentor)   
  • Honorable Mention Undergraduate Poster Presentation: Claire Wing (Karen Kim Guisbert – Mentor)  
  • Best Graduate Poster Presentation: Chukwuma Adinchezor (Jonathan Clayton – Mentor) 

Oral Presentations:

  • Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation: Isabelle Weber (Paul Denton – Mentor) 
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation: Izzy Vargas (Lisa Scherer – Mentor)  
  • Meritorious Undergraduate Oral Presentation: Charleston Berryman (Paul Denton – Mentor)  
  • Honorable Mention Undergraduate Oral Presentation: Cherylynn Gibson (Ryan Wong – Mentor)   
  • Best Graduate Oral Presentation: Sarah Lenn (Danielle Battisti – Mentor) 
  • Honorable Mention Graduate Oral Presentation: Thomas Forke (Mark Celinscak – Mentor) 

     


     

Student Honors Convocation:  

  • Helen Hansen Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Bianca Ruiz

National Scholarships and Fellowships:

  • Voyager Scholarship: Gio Gomez  
  • Goldwater Scholarship: Abby Tarr  
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship: Sheri McVay 

Undergraduate Major Awards: 

  • Biology: Alexander Becker 
  • Black Studies: Deja Harris 
  • Chemistry: Edrees Amani 
  • Economics: Shelby Krzemien 
  • English: Kyley Bishop 
  • Environmental Science: Isaac Noel  
  • History: Cody Jackson 
  • Interdisciplinary Studies: Makayla Demmon 
  • International Studies: Abigail Faris 
  • Latino/Latin American Studies: Jessica Fernandez-Erazo  
  • Mathematics: Will Harr 
  • Medical Humanities: Thomas Eilers 
  • Molecular & Biomedical Biology: Tai Prauner 
  • Neuroscience: Eternity Gines 
  • Philosophy: Destiny Tobar 
  • Physics: Dylan Owens 
  • Political Science: Abigail Faris 
  • Psychology: Elizabeth Finn 
  • Religion: Joe Byers 
  • Sociology: Lydia Deichmann 
  • Women’s and Gender Studies: Saki Fukuda 
  • World Languages and Literature: Tai Prauner 

Dean's Awards:

  • College of Arts and Sciences: Tai Prauner 
  • College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media: Elizabeth Gonzalez (Communication Studies & Spanish) 
  • College of Information Science & Technology: Ava DeLaGarza (Computer Science & Spanish) 
  • Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence: Ava DeLaGarza (Computer Science & Spanish) 
  • Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership: Suzana Ntirampeba (Criminal Justice & Political Science)  
  • Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service Learning: Erik Zamora 
  • Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research or Creative Activity: Tai Prauner 

    


    

College of Arts and Sciences Department Awards:  

Biology: 

  • Bouteloua Research Award: Michaela Sanford 
  • Biology Department Research Funds (Fall 2024): Mayowa Abiodun, Beth Griffis-Anchala, Matthias Walters, Brandon Wolfsohn  
  • Biology Department Research Funds (Spring 2025): Owen Conroy, Sunday Princess-Jimmy  
  • Outstanding Reaching Assistant (Spraing 2025): Chukwuma Adinchezor, Jamie Uz 

English:

  • Fulbright English Language Teaching Assistantship Program of the Austrian Ministry of Education: Kyley Bishop 
  • Helen Baker Anderson Scholarship for Excellence in the Major: Summer Dingman, Kyley Bishop 
  • Marion Basler Scholarship for Outstanding Writing in the Major: Brenna Dostal  
  • James C. Horejs Scholarship for Distinction in the Major: Bryce Coulton, Maren Evans, Azumi Kuchma, Isa Manhart, Kat Manning, Lucy Mason, Marcus Pennell, Moo Law Eh Soe, Joni Beauchamp 
  • Sue Maher Best Undergraduate Research Essay: Kassidy Hoffman (First Place), Maura Durfee O'Brien (Runner Up)

Geography/Geology:

  • Charles Gildersleeve Award: Adam McLaughlin 

History:

  • George B. Lake Memorial Prize: Dakota Andreasen, Ben Lundstrom 
  • Frederick W. Adrian Award: John Kennett 
  • A.V. Sorensen Award: Treygan Russel  
  • Shuflata Graduate Award: Tyler Gillis 
  • Sam Fried Memorial Prize: Haleigh Diltz, Brayden Kimball 
  • Frances Fried Award: Micaela Haffey, Zoe Law  
  • Jerold Simmons Scholarship: Bryan Yumul  
  • Timothy S. Dunning Scholarship: Audie Thorton  
  • Jo Ann Carrigan Scholarship: Emily Gaddy, Micaela Haffey, Kyleen King, Michael Schlesinger, Bryan Yumul 
  • Suflata Master’s Fellowship: Katie Dykstra 
  • Graduate Research and Creative Activity: Alexis Ritterbush, Md Robiul Alam Roni, Treygan Russell 
  • Special Recognition: Sarah Lehn, Tom Forke, Md Showkot Ali, Claire Du Laney, Lori Schwartz 

Political Science:

  • Darlene & Orville D. Menard Political Science Scholarship: Gio Gomez, Ashley Rivas Martinez 
  • Loree Bykerk Memorial Scholarship Fund: Emily Jimenez Avalos, Victoria Dennerlein, Eva Robinson, Alexius Sipp 

Psychology:

  • Outstanding B.S. Psychology Major: Elizabeth Finn 
  • Outstanding B.A. Psychology Major: Akela Dramse 
  • Outstanding Neuroscience Major: Eternity Gines 
  • Meritorious Achievement in Psychology: Mary Fennessy, Emma Grubbe, Kyden Johnson, Daniela Martha-Palma, Hailey Matthews, Mayam Medina Lopez, Nasire Perry, Anastasia Rogers, Jada Russ, Briton Webster, Asia Wewel 
  • Meritorious Achievement in Neuroscience: Meg Aerni, Braden Anderson, Malinda Lo, Vanessa Neri Lara, Lily Price 
  • Frank Bellinghiere Scholarship: Izzy Vargas  
  • Mary E. Flannigan Scholarship: Dakota Stutzman  
  • Barbara Manning Scholarship: Nasire Perry 
  • Robbins Family Psychology Scholarship: Avyn Urbanski 
  • Stephen R. Page Scholarship: Peyton Powell 
  • Scholars Transforming Through Research: Erik Garcia 
  • Nebraska School Psychology Association Outstanding Graduate Student: Josie Sand 

Sociology & Anthropology:

  • Undergraduate Department Honoree: Lydia Deichmann, Justin Schacht 
  • Graduate Student of the Year: Katelyn Nelson 
  • Sharon Hudson Departmental Service Award: Mina Bussa 

World Languages & Literature:

  • Outstanding Student in the Language: Kyley Bishop (German), Tai Prauner (Spanish), Jon Watson (French) 
  • French Honors: Joey Drollinger, Diana Sanchez-Godoy, Shreeya Shapkota 
  • German Honors: Lizzie Holloway, Theresa Isbilir, Teagan Rossman 
  • Spanish Honors: Ava Delagarza, Elizabeth González, Mayam Medina Lopez, Patricia Obblink, Will Ramsey
  • Second-Year Honors – French: Colette Adair, Miacaela Haffey, Lexi Prosser 
  • Second-Year Honors – German: Jeremy Dow, Izzy Martin, Jon Watson  
  • Second-Year Honors – Japanese: Joey Drollinger, Alex Tippets  
  • Second-Year Honors – Spanish: Ian Andress, Chawnta'le Bushnell, Gracelyn Dayle Hite, Madison Kramer, Kate Novinski, Ella Shulte, Rebekah Vavarek, Aaliyah Wilson, Reid Wondra 
  • Maverick Language Maven Award – French: Michael Howatt, Keira Miller, Ivy Neihart, Lawrence Wilson 
  • Maverick Language Maven Award – German: Eva Burklund, Clint Plozay 
  • Maverick Language Maven Award – Italian: Keely Pinkerton, Paula Quintanilla 
  • Maverick Language Maven Award – Spanish: David Brennan, Greg Cobbs, Brittainee Freeman, Jane Ehrhart, Gabriela Calderón, Sophia Kouba, Antonio Moore, Ramon Ortega, Jonathon Rice 
  • M.A.L.T Graduate Program Honors: Nora Boyd, Kenny Cortum 
  • Sigma Delta Pi – National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society: Elizabeth González, Tai Prauner 
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/news/2025/06/student-awards-spring-2025departmentCollege of Arts and SciencesphoneemailcategoryCollege of Arts and Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CAS/news/2025/06/student-awards-spring-2025CASstudent-awards-spring-2025[Article Heading]A Round of Applause: CAS Student Award Winners for Spring 2025College of Arts and Sciences students stood out from the crowd this spring — and snagged a handful of awards to prove it! Annie AlbinCollege of Arts and Sciences students stood out from the crowd this spring — and snagged a handful of awards to prove it! Jun 13, 2025 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYesIntroducing Moolaweh Soe, the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s student speaker for their May 2025 commencement cermony. /news/2025/05/img/moolaweh.pngnavigationYessite://CAS/news/2025/05/img/moolaweh.pngCASmoolaweh.png6766111200800Moolaweh Soe, Class of 2025 Commencement SpeakerMoolaweh sits in front of red trees. ///YouTube

Moolaweh Soe’s college experience got off to a rocky start — but with the help of family, faculty, and new friends within the Maverick community, she found her footing and forged ahead.  

The first few years of Soe’s academic experience felt like one thing after another. Starting college was already enough of an adjustment — and Soe had to go through it while facing her own health issues. Additionally, the world was still adjusting to Covid-19, throwing a wrench in her idea of a “normal” first semester of college. Her struggles radiated outwards, causing disruptions in her learning. Her dreams felt distant.  

But day by day, moment by moment, Soe persevered. She still struggled with her chronic health problems, but instead of feeling downtrodden, she turned her pain into perseverance and resolved to one day help others facing complex medical situations as a physician. 

Her passion for her pursuit of medicine doesn’t just come from her own experience as a patient. Soe has always been inclined towards STEM, even working on research as a high school student at Omaha North. But she also has a love for stories — from writing for her high school paper, to listening to the stories of students she meets as part of the Karen Student Association, to diving into literature in her English classes. For her, getting dual degrees in creative nonfiction and molecular and biomedical biology was always the goal — and she hopes that she can inspire others to pursue paths in multiple passions, too.  

“I feel super grateful that I'm able to help other first gens realize that it's possible for them to do dual degrees,” Soe said. 

As a member of the Karen Student Association, Soe strengthened her connection with members of the Karen community across Omaha — especially at the high school and college age level. She started with the organization as a college mentor doing outreach with high school students and worked her way up to being president and overseeing the group’s presence on the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s campus.  

The student organization became a major catalyst for her university experience and future profession plans. As a refugee herself, it gave her the opportunity to help others with similar backgrounds and solidified her passion for working with these communities. While she hopes to one day focus her work as a physician on serving refugee communities, she already got her start while at UNO, working on research with University of Nebraska Medicine students on perceptions and attitudes towards menstrual cycles in Latinx, Q’anjob’al and Karen communities. This research ended up being the focus of her Honors Program thesis, where she dove more deeply into the linguistic aspects of the topic.  

Soe built on all these experiences when she took the stage as May’s commencement student speaker. Her story is all her own, and she’s proud to have shared it — and the Karen language — with the room of proud families and excited graduates. 

Though she’s closing the chapter on her undergraduate degree, her time at UNO isn’t over. Soe will return as an English Teaching Assistant next semester, and balance working in the classroom alongside studying for her MCAT. As a new chapter opens, she’s excited for the future — and celebrating all the resilience it took her to get here.  

“I just want to show people that... for some people, college is not just a blurb,” Soe said. “It's a huge thing, and it's something people should be proud of.” 

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/news/2025/05/meet-moolawehdepartmentCollege of Arts and SciencesphoneemailcategoryCollege of Arts and Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CAS/news/2025/05/meet-moolawehCASmeet-moolaweh[Article Heading]Meet Moolaweh: Sharing Her UNO Story Introducing Moolaweh Soe, the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s student speaker for May 2025 morning commencement. Annie AlbinIntroducing Moolaweh Soe, the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s student speaker for their May 2025 commencement cermony. May 20, 2025 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYesWith deep roots in community and scholarship, Harris leaves UNO equipped to make change./news/2025/05/img/deja.pngnavigationYessite://CAS/news/2025/05/img/deja.pngCASdeja.png12116411200800Deja Harris stands in front of Arts and Sciences Hall. Deja Harris stands in front of Arts and Sciences Hall. ///YouTube

Deja Harris entered college unsure of what her next four years would look like. She had always dreamed of one day getting a law degree, but didn’t know where to start.  

With the support of the University of Nebraska at Omaha community, she found academic programs that encouraged her love of learning and solidified her path towards law school.  

For Harris, things just started to click after she declared her Black Studies major. She explored courses that kept her engaged and motivated, and found herself diving deeper into her studies and critically analyzing all things law, media, and society. As her interests continued to evolve, she declared a minor in Criminal Justice.  

Opportunities kept opening for her. From an internship with Terri Crawford’s Undesign the Redline Exhibit to a leadership role as president of the Black Studies Student Association, her calendar quickly filled up — but she didn’t mind.  

Balancing two majors and multiple extracurriculars required quite a bit of work, but for Harris, her inner fire to fight for others as a lawyer kept her going.  

As she looks towards the future, she knows her studies at UNO have prepared her for her future as a lawyer. Soon, she'll complete the JD Next program and begin applying to law school. She’ll also be busy as the Vice President of the new North Omaha Redlining Commission, which plans to put together educational materials and events for community members interested in learning more about the city’s history.  

Leaving UNO feels like the end of an era for Harris, but she’s assured that the connections she made here will last beyond graduation. From the Goodrich Scholarship Program to the faculty members in Black Studies — the familiar faces from her undergraduate years will continue to cheer her on as she takes her next steps into the world.  

“Goodrich, Black Studies...” Harris said. “All the people that I've encountered through UNO have helped me so much.” 

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/news/2025/05/more-than-a-majordepartmentCollege of Arts and SciencesphoneemailcategoryCollege of Arts and Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CAS/news/2025/05/more-than-a-majorCASmore-than-a-major[Article Heading]Deja Harris Found More Than Just a Major — She Found a Mission With deep roots in community and scholarship, Harris leaves UNO equipped to make change.Annie AlbinWith deep roots in community and scholarship, Harris leaves UNO equipped to make change.May 22, 2025 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1747976400000Physics and Mathematics student Dylan Owens filled his four years at UNO with engaging research and enriching community experiences. /news/2025/05/img/dylan.pngnavigationYessite://CAS/news/2025/05/img/dylan.pngCASdylan.png15124521200800Dylan Owens stands in front of Durham Science Center.Dylan Owens stands in front of Durham Science Center. He is wearing a blue shirt. ///YouTube

Despite growing up in Texas, second-generation Maverick Dylan Owens knew that the University of Nebraska at Omaha would be his college home.  

So, in 2021 he left his familiar home of McKinney, TX, and returned to his birthplace of Omaha. With extended family close by, he knew he could chart his own path while still having support in the area. 

Upon his start at UNO, he found courses that stoked his innate interest in all things mathematics. Growing up, he’d always reached for mathematics textbooks — letting his curiosity take the lead on his readings. As his interest in math grew, so did his symbiotic relationship with physics. When he entered UNO and needed to declare his major, it only made sense for him to declare dual majors in Mathematics and Physics.  

Adding on a minor in Computer Science, Owens felt strongly about the direction of his studies. He developed positive relationships with his professors, and with their encouragement began to work on research projects both on his own and in Dr.. Krasnoslobodtsev’s biophysics lab. His energy for STEM carried even further, as he took on roles as a tutor at the Math-Science Learning Center and as an after-school mentor with iSTEM, an immersive program that takes young learners through hands-on STEM projects.  

“It's really fulfilling to see them become passionate about these subjects,” Owens said about his time working with after-school students in iSTEM.  

His hard work as a Maverick never went unnoticed. Over the last year, he worked on research that looks at the eigenvalues for the two-dimensional Schrodinger equation. Owens traveled to a handful of conferences to present this work — even to California for the American Physics Society Conference. Although it was intimidating being in a room filled with physicists from across the country, Owens kept his cool and showcased his findings alongside his research partner, Matthew Crews. 

After finishing up his finals, Owens can finally say he’s a former UNO student — just like his parents. As he looked back on his four years as a Maverick, Owens noted how the help of the campus community pushed him toward graduation.  

“I definitely think that there's lots of different support, especially from my faculty...” Owens said. “There's a lot of push and support to get involved in these programs, to try and get involved early, to try and just to make those connections and see where they take you.” 

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/news/2025/05/following-family-footstepsdepartmentphoneemailcategoryCollege of Arts and Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CAS/news/2025/05/following-family-footstepsCASfollowing-family-footsteps[Article Heading]Following Family Footsteps: Second-Generation Maverick Crosses the Finish Line at CommencementPhysics and Mathematics student Dylan Owens filled his four years at UNO with engaging research and enriching community experiences. Annie AlbinPhysics and Mathematics student Dylan Owens filled his four years at UNO with engaging research and enriching community experiences. May 23, 2025 12:00 AM
News
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1746641700000From smarter storage systems to fall prevention tech, UNO early-career researchers are tackling today’s toughest challenges and earning statewide recognition./_shared/images/1200x800/buildings/ash/20240606_campus-sunrise-light_57.jpgnavigationNosite://www/_shared/images/1200x800/buildings/ash/20240606_campus-sunrise-light_57.jpgwww20240606_campus-sunrise-light_57.jpg2147191200800The Arts and Sciences Hall at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.The Arts and Sciences Hall at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). ///YouTube

A group of rising research stars at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) just secured a prestigious award that puts their early-stage projects on the fast track to national recognition.


➡️ What’s new: Four UNO faculty members have been named recipients of Nebraska's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 2024 FIRST Awards, a competitive program that supports early-career researchers across the state. Each award includes seed funding to accelerate research and strengthen future proposals for major federal grants.


💡 Why it matters:

  • Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Nebraska EPSCoR’s FIRST Awards aim to help early-career researchers in Nebraska’s higher education institutions develop nationally competitive research agendas.

  • Many past recipients have gone on to secure prestigious NSF CAREER Awards or other major federal research grants.

  • Four of the six 2024 recipients are UNO faculty.


🔎 Zoom in: UNO’s 2024 FIRST Award recipients represent four distinct academic disciplines, each tackling urgent challenges:

  • Madhur Mangalam, Ph.D., Department of Biomechanics | Mangalam’s research explores how long-latency postural reflexes (LLRs) are affected by balance training in older adults using wobble boards. His work applies advanced data modeling to improve fall prevention strategies and support safer aging. (Project: Investigating the impact of wobble board exercises on long-latency postural reflexes in older adults)

  • Yury Salkovskiy, Ph.D., Department of Biomechanics | Salkovskiy is developing a novel, scalable electrospinning technique to produce elastic and durable biopolymer textiles, offering potential breakthroughs in medical devices, wound care, and wearable protection. (Project: High-Speed Manufacturing of Biopolymer Textiles Made of Intertwined Nanofibers)

  • Joe (Xinqiu) Yao, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry | Yao is using high-performance molecular dynamics simulations to examine how cells transmit signals at the molecular level. His findings could shape future advances in precision medicine and drug development. (Project: Elucidating the Atomistic Mechanism of GPCR-Mediated Arrestin Activation)

  • Xiaoqian (Tiffany) Zhang, Ph.D., Department of Computer Science | Zhang is designing intelligent, congestion-aware network infrastructure for next-generation storage systems. Her research enhances the speed and efficiency of data centers powering everything from cloud computing to enterprise tech. (Project: Auto-zoning Configuration and Adjustment for Disaggregated Storage Systems)


🎤 What they’re saying:

  • Phil He, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: “Our faculty continue to lead with purpose, advancing research that delivers real-world impact. These projects not only align with UNO’s mission to challenges that affect communities here in Nebraska and across the country. We thank these researchers for their commitment to innovation, and for turning ideas into action that benefits society at large.”

  • Sara Myers, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activity: “FIRST Awards do more than fund individual projects. They ignite ripple effects across our entire research ecosystem. These early investments help faculty build momentum, attract competitive national funding, and raise UNO’s profile as a hub for discovery that matters. We’re incredibly proud of this year’s recipients and excited to see how their work shapes the future of science, technology, and innovation.”


🌎 The big picture: The awards reflect UNO’s strategic commitment to pragmatic research, hands-on student learning, and community-engaged innovation. Each project integrates student mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, aligning with the university’s mission to transform lives through research that matters.


🧑‍💻 Read more: Kwangsung Oh, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, is UNO’s most recent NSF CAREER award recipient.

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/news/2025/05/four-uno-faculty-earn-nebraska-epscor-first-awardsdepartmentOffice of Strategic Marketing and Communicationsphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryAwardsResearchOffice of Research and Creative Activitieslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2025/05/four-uno-faculty-earn-nebraska-epscor-first-awardswwwfour-uno-faculty-earn-nebraska-epscor-first-awards4 UNO Faculty Earn Nebraska EPSCoR FIRST Awards4 UNO Faculty Earn Nebraska EPSCoR FIRST AwardsFrom smarter storage systems to fall prevention tech, UNO early-career researchers are tackling today’s toughest challenges and earning statewide recognition.Sam PeshekFrom smarter storage systems to fall prevention tech, UNO early-career researchers are tackling today’s toughest challenges and earning statewide recognition.May 7, 2025 1:15 PM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1747717200000The Conversation features UNO’s Jonathan Santo on the complexities of defining adulthood./news/2025/05/img/shutterstock_2111293559.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2025/05/img/shutterstock_2111293559.jpgwwwshutterstock_2111293559.jpg1550221200800Photo: Shutterstock. Multicultural group of young friends bonding outdoors and having fun.///YouTube

Maybe there was a defining moment that made you feel like you had become an adult, or a certain age that your culture considers someone to have become an adult.  

Jonathan Santo, Ph.D., expert and professor in psychology at UNO, was featured in The Conversation, offering insights into the complexities of the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Santo emphasized that adulthood cannot be defined by a single factor, but rather by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors that vary for everyone. 

💡 Why it matters: Santo’s analysis highlights that while legal definitions of adulthood may be clear, the actual transition is nuanced, with different milestones and experiences influencing when an individual can be considered an adult. 

📸 The big picture: Santo’s insights contribute to ongoing discussions about age-related milestones, helping to shape how society understands and supports young people as they navigate this important developmental stage. 

For more on Santo’s perspective on adulthood, read the full article on The Conversation. 

Read the full article on The Conversation 

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/news/2025/05/jonathan-santo-complex-transition-from-adolescence-to-adulthooddepartmentphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryMediaFacultyAlumniStaffCollege of Arts and SciencesParents and FamiliesGeneral PublicCurrent StudentsProspective Studentslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2025/05/jonathan-santo-complex-transition-from-adolescence-to-adulthoodwwwjonathan-santo-complex-transition-from-adolescence-to-adulthoodStandard Page - wwwUNO’s Jonathan Santo Explores the Complex Transition from Adolescence to AdulthoodThe Conversation features UNO’s Jonathan Santo on the complexities of defining adulthood.Office of Strategic Marketing Communications The Conversation features UNO’s Jonathan Santo on the complexities of defining adulthood.May 20, 2025 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1747717200000KETV, Nebraska Examiner, and Yahoo! News feature UNO’s Randy Adkins on the 2025 Omaha mayoral race./news/2025/05/img/shutterstock_2533198433.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2025/05/img/shutterstock_2533198433.jpgwwwshutterstock_2533198433.jpg1558281200800Photo: Shutterstock. Diverse people in line to vote at US election day. ///YouTube

Randy Adkins, Ph.D., political science expert and professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), provided valuable insights to KETV on the 2025 Omaha mayoral race, noting that the intensified campaigning signaled a highly competitive contest.  

Adkins observed that while the race traditionally focused on local issues, it had shifted toward national politics in its final weeks, adding complexity to the election dynamics. 

💡 Why it matters: Adkins’ analysis of John Ewing Jr.’s historic election as Omaha’s first Black and first Democratic mayor in over a decade, shared by the Nebraska Examiner, the Daily Nonpareil, and Yahoo! News, highlighted the political significance of Ewing's double-digit victory. Adkins pointed out that this marked a significant political shift in Omaha, with broader implications for the 2nd Congressional District and Nebraska state politics. 

📸 The big picture: Adkins emphasized how urban voting trends, particularly in Omaha, could increasingly influence Nebraska’s political landscape. His expert commentary helps frame the larger political changes occurring in the state and the nation. 

For more on how the mayoral race and Ewing’s victory are reshaping Nebraska politics, read the full articles on KETV, the Nebraska Examiner, the Daily Nonpareil, and Yahoo! News. 

Read the full article on KETV 
Read the full article on the Nebraska Examiner 
Read the full article on the Daily Nonpareil 
Read the full article on Yahoo! News 

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/news/2025/05/unos-randy-adkins-analyzes-omaha-mayoral-race-and-historic-election-outcomedepartmentphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryFacultyCollege of Arts and SciencesResearchGeneral PublicAlumniProspective StudentsStaffCurrent StudentsMediaParents and Familieslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2025/05/unos-randy-adkins-analyzes-omaha-mayoral-race-and-historic-election-outcomewwwunos-randy-adkins-analyzes-omaha-mayoral-race-and-historic-election-outcomeStandard Page - wwwUNO’s Randy Adkins Analyzes Omaha Mayoral Race and Historic Election OutcomeKETV, Nebraska Examiner, and Yahoo! News feature UNO’s Randy Adkins on the 2025 Omaha mayoral race.Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications KETV, Nebraska Examiner, and Yahoo! News feature UNO’s Randy Adkins on the 2025 Omaha mayoral race.May 20, 2025 12:00 AM
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/http:///http:///////Media Mentions/https://blog.nwf.org/2024/04/wild-kingdom-grant-awardees//https://kvno.org/art-news/ollas-celebrates-latin-artists//https://www.wunc.org/health/2024-10-04/comic-extreme-heat-bodies-health?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--yWZfIYD5uEBvHVwk9an9EMd05def4b8_msyXWdycGdcoHBMFjW1qTLJQDEo7OEE6Sch56/news/cas-media-mentionsnavigationYessite://CAS/news/cas-media-mentionsCAScas-media-mentionsArts and Sciences Media MentionsSee more Media MentionsCollege of Arts and Sciences Mavericks are thought leaders, innovators, and news-makers. We'll be updating this page weekly with media stories featuring Arts and Sciences faculty, staff, and students.College of Arts and Sciences Mavericks are thought leaders, innovators, and news-makers. We'll be updating this page weekly with media stories featuring Arts and Sciences faculty, staff, and students.http://Stay Connected/https://www.facebook.com/unocas//https://twitter.com/UNOmahaCAS//http://
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1731477600000The four projects were selected alongside 10 other proposals. Altogether, the funded applications will receive a combined total of $1.5 million in awards. This is made possible by the generous support of the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund. /_files/images/weitz-cas-awards.pngnavigationYessite://CAS/_files/images/weitz-cas-awards.pngCASweitz-cas-awards.png2813481200800Arts and Sciences HallArts and Sciences Hall is framed behind golden fall leaves. ///YouTube

Four University of Nebraska Omaha College of Arts and Sciences faculty have been named Principal Investigators (PIs) for a new series of grants provided by the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund.  

These projects were selected based on their innovative and creative nature, as well as their alignment with UNO’s core pillars. Out of 45 applicants, 14 projects were selected in this first round of funding.  

Learn more about the exciting projects driven by Arts and Sciences faculty below!   


Change for Engagement Capacity Building

PI: Cecilia Tocaimaza-Hatch, Ph.D.

Faculty Member Department: World Languages and Literature

The Change Lab for Engagement Capacity Building will empower the campus community to promote and undertake organizational change efforts that align with the shared university mission and identity. Through campus Engagement Advocates, the Change Lab’s resource center and innovation incubator will serve as a hub for Change Advocates and lab leaders to work in partnership with academic units, committees, and campus offices to co-create solutions.

The lab is seeking faculty and staff interested in being leaders for change. In their role as Engagement Advocates, they will work in partnership with the university community to promote and undertake organizational change efforts rooted in collaborative inquiry, shared purpose, and co-creation of solutions.

Apply to be an Engagement Advocate by Dec. 10!


Civic Leadership Fellows Learning Community 

PI: Randy Adkins, Ph.D. 

Faculty Member Department: Dean’s Office, Political Science 

The Civic Leadership Fellows Learning Community will establish a three-year, high-impact program designed for undergraduate students with an expressed interest in civic leadership. As Civic Leadership Scholars, students will partake in extracurricular events and activities designed to strengthen their capabilities in public service, community engagement, and global leadership.  


The North Omaha Initiative 

PI: Cynthia Robinson, Ph.D. 

Faculty Member Department: Black Studies 

The North Omaha Initiative connects Omahans to educational opportunities via University of Nebraska Omaha courses taught in community spaces. By bringing classes directly to the community, the initiative aims to decrease barriers to education, increase enrollment, and provide community engagement that uplifts social and economic mobilities of underrepresented populations while also benefiting local workforce development.  


Destination Omaha: Spatial Immersion Project 

PI: Christina Dando, Ph.D. 

Faculty Member Department: Geography & Geology 

Destination Omaha: Spatial Immersion Project will bring together local tech professionals and UNO and high school students to develop immersive projects using data from the Omaha Spatial Justice Project. Through this project, participants will explore historical Omaha neighborhoods and uncover the deeper history of the city’s cultural heritage and history.  


 

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/news/2024/11/weitz-cas-awarddepartmentCollege of Arts and SciencesphoneemailcategoryCollege of Arts and Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CAS/news/2024/11/weitz-cas-awardCASweitz-cas-award[Article Heading]Four College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Receive Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund Awards The four projects were selected alongside 10 other proposals. Altogether, the funded applications will receive a combined total of $1.5 million in awards. This is made possible by the generous support of the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund. college of arts and sciencesAnnie AlbinFour College of Arts and Sciences faculty members received a Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund award. The four projects were selected alongside 10 other proposals. Altogether, the funded applications will receive a combined total of $1.5 million in awards. This is made possible by the generous support of the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund. Nov 13, 2024 12:00 AM
News ReleaseYesNoYesYes1729746000000Research supported by a Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom grant will conserve bats and help protect Nebraska agriculture.//news/2024/10/img/20240614_bat-research_03.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2024/10/img/20240614_bat-research_03.jpgwww20240614_bat-research_03.jpg1538631200800UNO Researcher Han Li, Ph.D., and his Graduate Assistant, Evan Wigley, prepare for a long night of catching and studying bats. UNO Researcher Han Li, Ph.D., and his Graduate Assistant, Evan Wigley, prepare for a long night of catching and studying bats. /news/2024/10/img/20240614_bat-research_04.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2024/10/img/20240614_bat-research_04.jpgwww20240614_bat-research_04.jpg3249301200800A live bat is seen being held by Li as he prepares to collect specimens from the animal. A live bat is seen being held by Li as he prepares to collect specimens from the animal. /news/2024/10/img/20240726_bats_05.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2024/10/img/20240726_bats_05.jpgwww20240726_bats_05.jpg11522801200800Li and Wigley enter a densley packed field to collect bat detectors that have been placed at the top of flagpoles.Li and Wigley enter a densley packed field to collect bat detectors that have been placed at the top of flagpoles./news/2024/10/img/202408123_insects_identification_003.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2024/10/img/202408123_insects_identification_003.jpgwww202408123_insects_identification_003.jpg1548591200800Wigley studies specimens under a microscope in Dr. Li's lab. Wigley studies specimens under a microscope in Dr. Li's lab. /news/2024/10/img/20240724_bats_04.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2024/10/img/20240724_bats_04.jpgwww20240724_bats_04.jpg7520061200800Dr. Li and Wigley spend hours in the dense, green, Nebraska fields discussing their research. Dr. Li and Wigley spend hours in the dense, green, Nebraska fields discussing their research. YouTube

Highlights:  

  • Bats play pivotal roles in ecosystems by regulating insect populations and pollinating plants, making their conservation crucial for Nebraska agriculture. 

  • Biology assistant professor Han Li, Ph.D., and graduate assistant Evan Wigley received Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom grant, marking a significant milestone for their urban bat conservation research.  

  • Their findings hold the potential to inform policy decisions and conservation strategies nationwide, offering practical insights into bringing together urban development and wildlife preservation. 



It’s after midnight in the heavily wooded area of the Glacier Creek Preserve just outside of Omaha, Nebraska. Han Li, Ph.D., is working diligently with the aid of his headlamp and the last bit of daylight to set up a net that is invisible to the human eye. Li waits patiently, sometimes until the early hours of the morning, waiting for one thing: bats.  

The next day, Li’s graduate assistant, Evan Wigley, will return to the field when the grass is still damp with the early morning dew to collect data and maintain the team’s equipment.  

Li, an assistant professor of biology at UNO, has been studying bats for nearly a decade. 

He has always been interested in the effects of urbanization on wildlife, but found himself particularly drawn to bats because of their nocturnal nature. Li stated that pursuing this research aligned best with his lifestyle, joking that he himself is nocturnal.  

Li and Wigley's current research delves into the complexities of urban bat conservation in Nebraska's evolving landscape.  

Bats play pivotal roles in ecosystems by regulating insect populations and pollinating plants, making their conservation crucial. Employing innovative methodologies, their study explores bat behavior, habitat preferences, and population dynamics amidst urban challenges. 

"The reason bats are crucial, especially in the Midwest, is due to our strong agricultural industry. In agriculture, pests pose significant threats, and North American bats, being largely insectivorous, play a vital role in controlling these pests,” said Li. “This is particularly important for our region.” 

Li added that bats serve as pollinators for many essential plants, such as agave used in tequila production, and traditional crops like bananas and cacao. He noted their role in pollination is “indispensable across various agricultural sectors." 

Li and Wigley began their first field season together during the summer of 2023 with the goal of their research being to promote bat conservation in Nebraska. Wigley, currently pursuing a master’s degree in biology at UNO, brings both enthusiasm and technical expertise to their collaborative effort.  

Each week, Wigley visits the field sites, where he collects bat detectors that have been placed at the top of flagpoles. Once Wigley reaches the top of the poles, he gathers the recordings located inside of the devices, replaces them with new ones, and replaces the batteries. These detectors collect audio that can be used by the researchers to determine what species of bats have been in the area.  



For Wigley, the opportunity to work alongside Li represents more than academic pursuit. It’s a chance to contribute firsthand to groundbreaking research that aims to shape conservation practices in urban settings. 

"I think the skills and experiences I've had at UNO so far will really help me in my future career. I've learned a lot of technical skills, working in both lab and field settings. Being in the field has given me valuable hands-on experience—planning ahead, making sure all equipment is ready,” said Wigley. “It's about being prepared. Networking and effectively communicating with people, explaining my research to those less familiar with it, have also been crucial skills I've developed." 

This summer, after a rigorous application process, Li and Wigley received Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Grant, which aims to support university efforts to carry out research, restore habitats, and promote conservation education for threatened and endangered species in their communities. UNO was one of seven universities awarded the grant and the only recipient in Nebraska.  

Securing support from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Grant Program marks a significant milestone for Li and Wigley's research endeavors. This collaboration, backed by the National Wildlife Federation, not only funds critical studies but also amplifies UNO's impact in wildlife conservation. 

“Through this grant, we can generate stronger evidence for grassland restoration. It's a perfect opportunity for comparison-based, experiment-based research. However, after the acceptance, the real work begins. It's about making sure we do the best job we can for any scientific research,” said Li. “Now that we have the funding, we need to ensure we use it effectively to generate the most impact. We have to start thinking about where to sample, how to find new sites, and what adjustments to make based on previous data. It's all about improving the research, planning the project, and managing every aspect of it.” 

Li and Wigley's research extends beyond academic curiosity. Their findings hold the potential to inform policy decisions and conservation strategies nationwide, offering practical insights into bringing together urban development and wildlife preservation. 

Looking ahead, their team envisions implementing sustainable practices that foster resilient urban ecosystems, setting an example for including conservation in city planning. 

"The principles we generate from the knowledge we have can be applied everywhere,” said Li. “We also hope to provide strong evidence to support conservation tools. In simple terms, we aim to offer the best tools available for bat conservation—tools backed by science and actual evidence demonstrating their effectiveness. Everything my lab is doing and everything in my research program has the end goal of providing evidence to support any tools we develop for bat conservation.”  

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/news/2024/10/uno-researchers-protect-the-role-bats-play-in-nebraskas-ecosystemdepartmentOffice of Strategic Marketing and Communications phoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryCommunity EngagementResearchCollege of Arts and SciencesOffice of Research and Creative Activitieslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2024/10/uno-researchers-protect-the-role-bats-play-in-nebraskas-ecosystemwwwuno-researchers-protect-the-role-bats-play-in-nebraskas-ecosystemStandard Page - wwwUNO Researchers Protect the Role Bats Play in Nebraska’s Ecosystem Research supported by a Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom grant will conserve bats and help protect Nebraska agriculture.Bella Lockwood-WatsonResearch supported by a Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom grant will conserve bats and help protect Nebraska agriculture.Oct 24, 2024 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYesErika Lewis made the most of her UNO education by getting two master’s degrees and securing a prestigious James Madison Fellowship. Now, she’s taking her knowledge right back to the classroom, where she inspires the next generation of civic leaders at Papillion La Vista South High School. /news/2024/11/img/erika-lewis-james-madison-fellowship.pngnavigationYessite://CAS/news/2024/11/img/erika-lewis-james-madison-fellowship.pngCASerika-lewis-james-madison-fellowship.png15534321200800Erika Lewis (center left) stands with professors from the James Madison Fellowship. Six individuals posing together in front of a blue James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation backdrop. The central figure, a woman wearing a light purple top and a red medal around her neck, holds a certificate with a smile. The group includes three men and three women all dressed in professional attire.///YouTube

Erika Lewis always saw herself as an educator. As an undergraduate student in Tennessee, her passion for history and government led her to a double major in political science and secondary education. Between classes and tests, she dreamed about extending her excitement for civics to the next generation of students. 

Her love of politics was strengthened through an internship with Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Ward Crutchfield. The energy of Nashville and the state capitol captured her – she felt like she was living out the stories she had read about in her textbooks. After the internship, she continued on to work for the Tennessee Attorney General.  

Then, life added a new path to her journey: motherhood. After her children were born, she placed her career on hold and focused her efforts on raising her daughter and son. As the days went on and her toddlers turned to teens, Lewis noticed another shift happening around her.  

“The world just seemed very hopeless in some ways, as far as having civically minded people...” Lewis said. “I just saw what I felt like was a strong need for good social studies and civics education.”  

She thought back to her first dream – the one she had before she discovered the electricity of politics. The dream she had as a little girl, back when she’d set up her dolls and captivated the attention of her play-pretend schoolroom.  

She knew it was time to get back to the classroom, and enrolled in the University of Nebraska Omaha’s secondary education master’s degree program. Even with the pandemic in her path, she completed the program in 2021 and secured her spot as a teacher at Papillion La Vista South High School.  

 

A New Direction 

As Lewis settled into her teaching career, a new goal formed: dual enrollment education. With aspirations of teaching an AP Government classroom, she headed back to UNO to work towards her graduate certificate in government. While there, she heard about the James Madison Fellowship – a prestigious national award designed to inspire and support educators that teach constitutional history and government.  

The program excited her. In addition to providing funds to support her graduate education, the program also hosted a monthlong intensive summer institute through Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for a political science enthusiast.  

Lewis knew that if she never tried, she’d never know. So, even with the gravity of the award’s highly selective nature in the forefront of her thoughts, she submitted her application materials.  

One teacher was selected as a James Madison Fellow for each state – and to Lewis’ shock, she was selected as Nebraska’s representative. 

Soon, she was on a plane to America's biggest political stage: Washington. As she convened with passionate American history and government educators from across the country in the nation’s capital, she felt entirely in her element.  

“They’re like-minded. They’re passionate teachers. We nerd out about all the same things,” Lewis said about her fellow fellows, “Professionally... I felt like I really found my people. Personally, I formed friendships with some wonderful people from across the country.”  

After a rigorous four weeks of lectures, papers, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like meeting Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Lewis returned to her classroom with a renewed passion for civic education – and a new sense of self.  

 

"Why wouldn’t it be you?”  

In a short four years, Erika Lewis’ life had completely changed.  

She was back in the classroom – where she always felt like she had belonged. Her accomplishments included two master’s degrees (one in Secondary Education and another in Political Science) and a national fellowship. While at times it felt hard for her to grasp the magnitude of her accolades, to her coworkers and professors it was never even a question.  

Lewis thinks back to when she was in the application process for the Madison Fellowship. She ran into a colleague in the hallway, who mentioned to her that he had sent off her letter of recommendation for the fellowship.  

“It’s a longshot, why would they pick me?” She said, as she assured her coworker that the program was ambitious but probably unrealistic.  

His response was simple: “Why wouldn’t it be you?”  

It’s a message that sticks with her now, a vote of confidence that adds to her already cemented pride in her achievements. And it's something she can tangibly take back to the classroom and use to inspire the next generation.  

“When I talk to my students... sometimes we put so much pressure on kids to be like, ‘what do you want to do? Figure your life out!’ And I’m living proof that sometimes, life will throw you curveballs. Sometimes life will throw you opportunities. Never stop – there’s something you want? Go out and get after it. Put in the work to make it happen,” Lewis said. “Don’t ever lose that passion for what you love and what you love to do.”  

/
///No
/news/2024/11/erika-lewis-madison-fellowshipdepartmentCollege of Arts and SciencesphoneemailcategoryCollege of Arts and SciencesCollege of Education, Health, and Human Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CAS/news/2024/11/erika-lewis-madison-fellowshipCASerika-lewis-madison-fellowship[Article Heading]UNO James Madison Fellow Inspires Next Generation of Civic Leaders in the ClassroomErika Lewis made the most of her UNO education by getting two master’s degrees and securing a prestigious James Madison Fellowship. Now, she’s taking her knowledge right back to the classroom, where she inspires the next generation of civic leaders at Papillion La Vista South High School. College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education Health and Human SciencesAnnie AlbinErika Lewis made the most of her UNO education by getting two master’s degrees and securing a prestigious James Madison Fellowship. Now, she’s taking her knowledge right back to the classroom, where she inspires the next generation of civic leaders at Papillion La Vista South High School. Nov 22, 2024 12:00 AM
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