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College of Information Science & Technology News

Sunday, October 01, 2023
  1. UNO
  2. College of Information Science & Technology
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indextrue1696059911331systemNews 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.IS&T news room, college headlines. News Room/news/indexCISTsite://CIST/news/indexcnebel1387381771761lerachasimon16939307444861463720400000
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1686200400000With a changing world and workforce, the ability to offer practical learning environments and paid opportunities leads to better outcomes for students and their future employers./news/features/uno-magazine/img/spring-2023/learn-and-earn-ipg-job-shadow-tour.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/features/uno-magazine/img/spring-2023/learn-and-earn-ipg-job-shadow-tour.jpgwwwlearn-and-earn-ipg-job-shadow-tour.jpglearn-and-earn-ipg-job-shadow-tour.jpg2251751200800First-year UNO College of IS&T students tour and learn about Interpublic Group.First-year UNO College of IS&T students tour and learn about Interpublic Group.///YouTube
From the Spring 2023 UNO Magazine

In Nebraska, an impending tech worker labor shortage is compounded by the concept of “brain drain” where students, both from Nebraska and out of state, are leaving to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Despite Nebraska’s contributions to technology infrastructure and national companies relying on Nebraska’s IT labor, The Good Life in the Silicon Prairie must adopt a new approach to address this issue.

The Learn and Earn program at UNO’s College of Information Services and Technology (IS&T) seeks to dispel notions that great tech jobs only exist on the coasts and recognizes experiential learning is the future of higher education. The initiative sets out a four-year course of job shadowing, small projects and paid internships.

Launched in the 2022-2023 academic year, the burgeoning program has multiple objectives, according to Martha Garcia- Murillo, Ph.D., the Lee D. and Willa Seemann Distinguished Dean of the College of IS&T.

“The first one is to make our students aware of the opportunities they have here in Omaha for jobs after graduation. The second is that they stay in the state and find a thriving career in the tech field. And finally, because many of our students work and study, the objective is that their work, through our partners, becomes their job,” said Garcia-Murillo.

Garcia-Murillo describes the program as a “scaffolding-type of initiative,” each year building on the previous, starting with job shadows.

In the first semester of the program, Learn and Earn students visit three job partners. Ash Abraham, IS&T student and peer ambassador, experienced both in-person and virtual job shadowing events at Fiserv, the Nebraska Library Commission and Aviture.

“Each and every professional actually comes and talks to the students about what the day-to-day life of an IT professional looks like, so it is really helpful.” Especially, she adds, “the company tours.”

When shadowing students become aware of the type of knowledge they’d need for potential IT positions, Garcia-Murillo says, they recognize the value of their courses. “Now they’re beginning to see the relevance of what they’re learning in the classroom to what they’ll be doing in future projects.”

“I personally got to know a lot about the IT field and about the different opportunities each student would be able to pursue,” said Abraham.

To keep the first stages of the program focused on learning about a wide range of possibilities, job partners are asked to expose students to the company’s entire IT team regardless of major, so students have a better understanding of the range of the tech sector.

Lynn Griffis of Aviture says her company hosted two job shadowing events in the fall of 2022, where “everyone from project managers, developers and the UX team, to the CEO and CTO” were invited to participate and interact with the students. Their full-day itineraries focused on introducing the company culture and demonstrating an actual workday for software development teams. Students also got a full office tour, a Q&A session and lunchtime one-on-ones with IT professionals.


learn-and-earn-ipg-job-shadow-tour-group.jpg

First-year UNO IS&T students tour and learn about Interpublic Group.


Jessica Ray, a Senior Manager of Human Resources for Interpublic Group (IPG), says they first partnered with IS&T over a decade ago.

“We’ve had real success with hiring interns from the university, and many have converted to full-time positions. The job shadowing aspect means IPG can get connected with freshmen before considering them for an internship, and we present our company so they can get a better idea of what we have to offer.”

Year two of the program brings the opportunity for students to engage in small projects relevant to their academic unit. They’ll spend between five and 35 hours a week addressing needs within their partnered company, like data cleaning, researching cyber security threats or small coding cleanups.

“One of the really cool things about that second year,” says Alexis Sherman, Assistant Dean for Student Success, “is that we’re not going to send in the students unprepared. While they’re doing their project, we’re going to bring them back to continue their learning in terms of skill development.”


alexis-sherman.jpg

Alexis Sherman


These projects provide real-world work experience with actual impact. In addition, students are paid for their hours and efforts, strengthening the initiative’s goals of addressing student needs. IS&T students don’t need to seek employment irrelevant to their area of study. This immersion helps students envision a close future of careers in their chosen field while also earning income.

“By year three and four, ideally, we want them to be doing year-long internships with our job partners so they can replace whatever other unrelated job with whatever their job becomes in the IT field,” says Garcia-Murillo.

Sherman recognizes the industry shift signified by the Learn and Earn initiative internship aspects.

“Many times, students who have access to internships have it through family friends or networks they’re close to in their community, and so this really opens the door for a lot of our students who may not have those already established connections. Not every student on this campus is going to have the same opportunity to engage in a paid internship. Building it into the fabric of what we do is important in broadening the participation of computing in general and creating a more diverse workforce.”

Garcia-Murillo envisions a program where all students are included, not just a lucky few.

“We want to create a college-wide learning community,” she says. “One of the main objectives for us is to break those structural barriers.”

Another exciting aspect on the horizon is the forthcoming FNBO CodeStudio. With support and input from FNBO, IS&T is refurbishing an old computer lab on Scott Campus to better provide students with resources reflecting the current state of the industry.

“We want to make sure our students have access to modern technology, modern facilities that really mirror our own workspaces here at the bank,” says Sammy Sufian, the Vice President of Technology with FNBO.

Brian Dorn, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs says computer science and engineering classes normally comprise students sitting at their own machines in front of a lecture. “But that’s not what development looks like,” he says. “It’s collaborative, it’s centered around teams of people solving problems together.”

Building a computer lab of the future means centering one of IS&T’s core values – creating community.

“We thought of it more like a studio environment that’s talking around, about and with code that feels more like what’s been happening in the industry development circle.”

Dorn says this approach generates a higher quality of code with fewer bugs and more on-time delivery. When the students go out to their internships or join the workforce proper, they’ll know what to expect and be practiced in project collaboration.

Sufian, who also sits on the IS&T board, said he jumped at the chance to get involved.

“When I was introduced to the dean last year and we had a one-on-one, and she shared with me her goals around the initiative, I was ready to dive in and make sure I did everything in my power to make it as successful as possible.”

Sufian believes it’s important for employers of the IT and tech sectors to connect with students early and often throughout their time in higher ed to prepare them for life post-graduation.

“We can’t afford to view academia and corporate America as two sequential, mutually exclusive entities anymore.”

The shifting landscape of higher education and the tech industry means it’s no longer a straight line from getting a degree first and then entering the workforce. The FNBO CodeStudio will be a hub where students have regular access to IT professionals throughout their education. The CodeStudio as a blend of undergrad, post-grad and professional collaboration will be integral to IS&T students’ career readiness.

“The pandemic has accelerated changes in higher ed in ways no one could have predicted three years ago,” says Dorn. “Really what it comes down to is meeting the needs of a diverse group of students, and making sure our programs are designed to be relevant to the industry we serve. That’s a key component.”

Sherman says a big part of bringing new life to the building is helping students be more innovative, “to tap into their creative outlets, so that we can be a big player in the future of tech, so our students can get top-tier jobs.”

Renovations are set to occur throughout the spring and summer, with the FNBO CodeStudio opening in the fall of 2023. FNBO’s gift supported not only the naming opportunity for CodeStudio, but also a new scholarship endowment that will be awarded the same year.

“We’re very pleased with their generosity and willingness to make this happen for our students,” says Dorn.

Learn and Earn has received “awesome support” from the UNO community and alumni. The program is also associated with a scholarship program called OASIS—Opportunity and Access Scholarship for IT Students. This tuition support helps students graduate debt free with industry-vetted tech skills, so they might contribute back to the program, funding future students.

“We want to build a culture of a ‘pay it forward’ model,” says Dorn.

“It is of great importance to us all here in the college that the students get out of here without debt,” said Garcia-Murillo. “The future for us is affordable, experiential, it’s zero or very little loans and a great job after [students] graduate.”

With all the new approaches in IT higher education forged by IS&T’s Learn and Earn initiative, many involved see UNO setting an example for other institutions.

“I think it’s going to help us become a model for these kinds of programs around the country,” says Dorn.

Sufian agrees. “I hope there’s a push to make this an industry standard. If not an industry standard, a Nebraska standard.”

“I wasn’t into the IT field until I got admission into UNO, so I didn’t have an idea of what the IT field looked like, and the Learn and Earn program gave me an idea of, ‘oh, this is how the IT field looks! This is how innovative it is!’” says Abraham of her experience with the initiative thus far.

As to the question of whether Learn and Earn would affect her possible future plans of staying in Nebraska?

“This program definitely helps.”

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About the UNO Magazine

UNO Magazine is the flagship publication of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and is published three times a year as a collaborative effort of UNO, the University of Nebraska Foundation, and the UNO Alumni Association.

/No
/news/features/uno-magazine/spring-2023/learn-and-earndepartmentphoneemailunonews@unomaha.educategoryGeneral Publiclocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/features/uno-magazine/spring-2023/learn-and-earnwwwlearn-and-earnUNO Magazine: Learn and EarnUNO Magazine: Learn and EarnWith a changing world and workforce, the ability to offer practical learning environments and paid opportunities leads to better outcomes for students and their future employers. UNO MagazineBrendan ReillyWith a changing world and workforce, the ability to offer practical learning environments and paid opportunities leads to better outcomes for students and their future employers.Jun 8, 2023 12:00 AM
News ReleaseYesNoYesYes1678341600000Joel Elson, Ph.D, has teamed up with Erin Kearns, Ph.D., on a chatbot that walks users through identifying and reporting suspicious activity—which they hope will improve the quality and quantity of reporting./news/2023/03/img/20230228_chat_bot_04.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2023/03/img/20230228_chat_bot_04.jpgwww20230228_chat_bot_04.jpg20230228_chat_bot_04.jpg2068341200800Erin Kearns, Ph.D., and Joel Elson, Ph.D.Erin Kearns, Ph.D., and Joel Elson, Ph.D.///YouTube
About the #NUforNE Series: This article is part of the University of Nebraska's #NUforNE series. #NUforNE features students, faculty, staff and alumni from across the University who are making an impact on Nebraska.

A stranger loitering in your neighborhood. A vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly. People arriving or leaving from homes at unusual hours.

You feel things are a little off, but you’re not sure why—or even what to do about it. Should you call the police? Nothing is overtly wrong. You’re not sure if what you’re seeing is suspicious activity.

But you don’t want to be labeled as an interfering neighbor. It doesn’t seem like it’s any of your business. You’re certain somebody else has already reported it.

Suspicious behavior or activity can be any action that is out of place and doesn’t fit into the usual day-to-day activity of your community. Too often, people are confused about what they should report and why. But by reporting suspicious situations or activity, you aid the police and make your community a safer place to live. You can reduce violence, minimize victimization, and improve overall quality of life.

So why don’t more people report the things they see?

The Department of Homeland Security believes that public safety is everyone’s responsibility. They run a program called “If You See Something, Say Something” that helps people recognize behaviors that may indicate a potential link to terrorism—and understand how to report suspicious activity to appropriate law enforcement or local authorities. Prompt, detailed reporting of suspicious activities can help prevent violent crimes or terrorist attacks.

How do people report this type of behavior or situations? Many states have designated a tip line to collect reports of suspicious activity. Others have online forms that can be filled out. And a team of researchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha are working on a chatbot that walks users through identifying and reporting suspicious activity—which they hope will improve the quality and quantity of reporting.

Dr. Joel Elson, an assistant professor of IT innovation, has teamed up with Dr. Erin Kearns, a criminologist, on the project. Their complementary research strengths create a unique perspective on suspicious activity—one that brings together technology, criminology and psychology to address—and potentially remove—the barriers to reporting.

"It's a true team effort," Kearns said. "Dr. Elson studies human-computer trust, I study law enforcement and community trust. Without both areas of expertise, you couldn't develop this chatbot."

The research is funded under a $715,000 federal grant. Grants like these build on state support—which pays faculty and keeps buildings open and lights on—and allow researchers to pursue innovative approaches to pressing problems.


Building Technology People Can Trust

The National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center (NCITE) is the Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for terrorism prevention and counterterrorism research. It is located in Mammel Hall at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Elson and Kearns are both NCITE senior leaders and researchers.

This two-phase project is one of 37 prevention-focused research projects that DHS selected in 2021 for awards totaling $20 million through its competitive Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program.

In the first phase, Kearns and Elson conducted a national survey, a local study and focus groups to learn about barriers to tips reporting and processing. They also developed a chatbot prototype. They have started the second phase, which involves refining and testing the chatbot.

The chatbot will be embedded in existing reporting platforms as an alternative to filling out a static web form. The information it receives is fed into existing networks. The goal: to elicit more complete information from people through dynamic ways of communication, using a conversation back and forth to prompt better responses.

Technology gives the research potential broad national application.

“Technology is able to exponentially multiply what a single individual can do,” Elson said. “This could increase the opportunities for issue prevention by making reporting easier and more scalable.”

The two researchers are working with Sarpy County on the project.

“The whole goal of this is preventing a Columbine, a Parkland, a Virginia Tech,” Sarpy County Sheriff Captain Kevin Griger said, referring to past mass shootings. “This grant matters because it will help us better understand why and how people are giving tips—and why they are not giving tips. Those tips will help us better prevent acts of targeted violence.”

Researchers know there are gaps in reporting. People might not know what behavior merits reporting, how or where to report it and can show reluctance in elevating to law enforcement. A drop in community trust in public institutions contributes to this reluctance.

Improving tips reporting processes can build trust and strengthen community resilience to violence.

“We hope our work will contribute to building trust and support efforts to protect innocent lives,” Elson said.


Working Across Disciplines

Elson’s background connects psychology and technology. He received his undergraduate degree from Creighton in psychology, his master’s degree from UNO in management information systems and his Ph.D. from UNO in information technology. One of his research interests is how human experience and technology can be improved and furthered.

He was drawn at a young age to computers and tech systems. In middle school, Elson participated in a competition to improve community wellness, where he proposed a computing system to be used on recreational paths—a foreshadowing of the smart watches people would eventually wear to track calories, distance and heartrate.

“I’ve always thought technology has a tremendous potential to enhance our lives—whether that’s in health, improvements to our community or the ability to get work done,” Elson said.

Born and raised in Nebraska, Elson believes that the work being done at UNO is unique:

“You can accomplish things in Nebraska that can't be achieved anywhere else in the country. It's because Nebraskans come together and get things done—we support one another.”

Kearns received her undergraduate degree in political science and psychology from Miami University, her master’s degree in forensic psychology from the City University of New York, and her Ph.D. in criminology and public policy from American University.

She was a freshman in college on 9/11 and worked as a teaching assistant for her Ph.D. mentor in an undergraduate class he taught on terrorism. That’s when it all clicked for her: both criminology and terrorism address law making, law breaking and responses to law breaking—a thread she has explored through her research.

Her research expertise includes the relationships between law enforcement and communities, public perceptions of law enforcement and how to improve those perceptions. Kearns also studies media representations of terrorism in news and entertainment, such as the popular Fox television show “24”—and how those representations influence public perceptions of terrorism.

Kearns work on public perception translates well to studying people’s willingness to report on suspicious activity.

“There’s myriad factors in why people do or don’t report,” Kearns said. “People ask themselves: is this really something I should report? Do I trust the authorities enough to talk to them? Do I want to get involved? Will I be wasting someone’s time if this turns out to be nothing?”


Preventing Terrorism—from the Heart of the Nation

The chatbot grant is the first prevention award won by NCITE researchers from the College of IS&T and the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. NCITE was created in 2020 when UNO received its largest federal grant ever—$36.5 million over 10 years for counterterrorism studies—from the Department of Homeland Security.

UNO was chosen to house NCITE following a highly competitive selection process that involved a site visit to Omaha by a team of DHS officials. UNO’s selection among dozens of universities submitting letters of interest reflected a long record of leadership across the university in national security and defense.

“NCITE not only has a unique mission, but a unique location,” Kearns said. “Being located here in Nebraska, in the middle of the country, we have the ability to think about and address counterterrorism issues in a much more grounded—and on the ground—way.”

Although the academic research hub is based at UNO, its reach stretches beyond Nebraska. Led by Dr. Gina Ligon, the center’s director, more than 60 academics from 26 universities work in counterterrorism research—innovating, educating and creating new prevention strategies.

“NCITE provides a vehicle for us to use our professional training and personal experiences to help fight violent groups who have already formed—and help prevent individuals from ever joining one in the first place,” Ligon said.

Ligon’s vision is to build a robust, relevant academic research hub that offers insight to help the national security workers in the field prevent terrorist attacks.

“Terrorism is a complex problem that calls for many different talents, energies, and resources,” Ligon said. “NCITE allows for focused collaboration across our institutions, leading to a comprehensive approach.”

An approach like the one taken by Kearns and Elson—working across disciplines to create an innovative solution to a real-world problem.

chatbot

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/news/2023/03/nu-for-ne-preventing-violent-acts-through-chatbotsdepartmentUniversity of NebraskaphoneemailcategoryStaffGeneral PublicCurrent StudentsFacultyProspective StudentsParents and FamiliesMedialocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2023/03/nu-for-ne-preventing-violent-acts-through-chatbotswwwnu-for-ne-preventing-violent-acts-through-chatbots#NUforNE: Preventing Violent Acts Through Chatbots#NUforNE: Preventing Violent Acts Through ChatbotsJoel Elson, Ph.D, has teamed up with Erin Kearns, Ph.D., on a chatbot that walks users through identifying and reporting suspicious activity—which they hope will improve the quality and quantity of reporting.#NUforNE, chatbotsJackie OstrowickiJoel Elson, Ph.D, has teamed up with Erin Kearns, Ph.D., on a chatbot that walks users through identifying and reporting suspicious activity—which they hope will improve the quality and quantity of reporting.Mar 8, 2023 4:00 PM
News ReleaseYesNoYesYes1682917200000Martha Garcia-Murillo, Ph.D., dean of UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology, understands the importance of reducing barriers to entry in the tech field, connecting students with scholarships and internship opportunities early in their college career./news/2023/04/img/20221005_deangarcia-murillo_2.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2023/04/img/20221005_deangarcia-murillo_2.jpgwww20221005_deangarcia-murillo_2.jpg20221005_deangarcia-murillo_2.jpg2284161200800Martha Garcia-Murillo, Ph.D., dean of UNO’s College of Information Science and TechnologyMartha Garcia-Murillo, Ph.D., dean of UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology///YouTube
About the #NUforNE Series: This article is part of the University of Nebraska's #NUforNE series. #NUforNE features students, faculty, staff and alumni from across the University who are making an impact on Nebraska.


A technology revolution is here. Across the nation, employers are reshaping their workforces to accommodate new needs and goals—most of them related to tech. Companies are hiring more workers with technical expertise to help with strategy and innovation.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that computer and mathematical jobs will increase at the second-fastest rate of any other field over the next decade. In that same span, it estimates that data scientists and information security analysts will be among the ten fastest-growing occupations and software developers will produce the third-largest jobs increase of any occupation.

Business leaders across Nebraska are looking to raise the state’s tech profile.

“This next generation goes where the technology jobs are,” said Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We need to be known as a technology state.”

Yet, Nebraska is facing a workforce crisis, with not enough workers to go around.

This is where the University of Nebraska at Omaha steps in. The state’s only metropolitan university, it works hand-in-hand with business partners in Nebraska’s largest city. Its College of Information Science & Technology (IS&T) educates students in computer science, cybersecurity, information systems, data analytics and other tech disciplines. IS&T works closely with Omaha companies on hiring students for full-time and internship positions, filling the tech workforce pipeline with UNO graduates.


From Scholarships to Internships

Dr. Martha Garcia-Murillo is the dean of the College of Information Science & Technology. She exudes a calm but strong presence and a passion for the students in her college.

Garcia-Murillo received her doctoral degree in economics and political economy at the University of Southern California.

When she was applying for her Ph.D. at USC, the family she was providing childcare for saw her filling out scholarship paperwork. They told her, “Martha, if you don’t get a scholarship, we will fund you.” The family eventually paid for her first year of graduate school, creating a major impact on Garcia-Murillo.

She is now focused on providing scholarships for IS&T students.

“I think that it's important to be able to provide scholarship opportunities to students—it can make a huge difference in their lives. It did in mine,” Garcia-Murillo said. 

The Omaha community includes many students who are economically disadvantaged or are the first in their family to go to college. Without scholarships, academically accomplished students may need to work to support themselves. If they are working at retail restaurants or coffeeshops, it reduces the opportunities for internships that allow them to lead projects, get engaged in a professional organization, and build an outstanding resume.

“I want them to substitute their non-IT job for an IT job,” Garcia-Murillo said. “When they graduate, they should leave with resumes that help them get the very best jobs.”

Garcia-Murillo is focused on experiences that build students’ professional portfolios. She has developed a unique program, Learn and Earn, which takes an IS&T student through four years of job experience during their time at the college.

First-year students take a one-credit class where they participate in three job shadows. Their second year, they engage in micro-internships—short projects between five and 35 hours that are paid. And their third and fourth years, they have paid internships the entire year.

My objective is to create a learning community for the entire IS&T student body,” Garcia-Murillo said. “Learn and Earn ensures that we’re offering experiential opportunities to everyone.”

Dr. Levi Thiele, UNO’s director of career development, is excited about Learn to Earn—which she describes as combining career-oriented curriculum, employer-based experiential learning and financial assistance.

“Students ‘learn’ through their preparation for successful careers. They ‘earn’ payment for their work, which improves equity and access to experiential learning opportunities,” she said.


Experiential Learning Makes a Real-World Difference

Experiential learning is the process of learning by doing. By engaging IS&T students in hands-on experiences and reflection, they are better able to connect theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

“We’re preparing students to be independent thinkers, to be professionally minded, to be in leadership positions, to be discerning and make good judgments,” Garcia-Murillo said.

Job shadowing, micro-internships and internships also familiarize students with companies in the Omaha area.

“When you graduate students with real-life experience, it’s more likely that they’ll be placed into our local economy if they’ve had encounters with local companies or projects,” Garcia-Murillo said.

The college completed a survey with students who took the first-year seminar class, asking them, “What companies do you want to work for after you graduate?” More than 100 students answered the question, but only 10 students were able to identify Nebraska companies.

“Employers are concerned about students leaving Nebraska. But many of our students don't actually understand the opportunities they have here,” Garcia-Murillo said. “Everything we're building in the college is intended to ground them to Nebraska and expose them to more companies.”


Meeting the Mission of a Metropolitan University

UNO is a metropolitan university. A large majority of the student body comes from non-traditional backgrounds; many are supporting families.

“Our student body comes from an underserved community with very little economic support,” said Dr. Joanne Li, UNO’s chancellor.

A college degree not only makes a difference for IS&T graduates, it also makes a difference for their families and their communities. Upon graduation, 78% of IS&T graduates are employed in their field of study and earn a median salary of $75,000.

UNO’s values of strengthening the community through collaboration and partnerships—and improving Omaha’s quality of life—is at the heart of IS&T's Learn and Earn.

“The tech field is promising for disadvantaged students in many ways. Not only do they grow personally, but they earn an income that allows them to break out of poverty—not only for themselves, but their families and their communities,” Garcia-Murillo said. “There are ripple effects that go beyond the individual and their job.”

“The Learn and Earn program meets three of UNO’s strategic goals—student success, workforce development and social mobility,” Thiele said.

“Martha Garcia-Murillo and the team at IS&T have been visionaries. They have intentionally and thoughtfully structured the Learn and Earn program to meet student and workforce needs.”

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///No
/news/2023/04/nu-for-ne-supporting-the-tech-revolutiondepartmentUniversity of Nebraska phoneemailcategoryCollege of Information Science and Technologylocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2023/04/nu-for-ne-supporting-the-tech-revolutionwwwnu-for-ne-supporting-the-tech-revolution#NUforNE: Supporting the Tech Revolution#NUforNE: Supporting the Tech RevolutionSupporting the tech revolution in Nebraska starts with filling the tech workforce pipeline. Martha Garcia-Murillo, Ph.D., dean of UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology, understands the importance of reducing barriers to entry in the tech field, connecting students with scholarships and internship opportunities early in their college career.#NUforNE, Martha Garcia-Murillo, technology, tech, tech revolutionJackie Ostrowicki Supporting the tech revolution in Nebraska starts with filling the tech workforce pipeline. Martha Garcia-Murillo, Ph.D., dean of UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology, understands the importance of reducing barriers to entry in the tech field, connecting students with scholarships and internship opportunities early in their college career.May 1, 2023 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1692309600000Following a Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 17, 2023, University of Nebraska (NU) System President Ted Carter shared an update with faculty and staff about the NU system's budget and budget planning process./_shared/images/1200x800/university-of-nebraska/carter-vision-budget-23.jpgnavigationNosite://www/_shared/images/1200x800/university-of-nebraska/carter-vision-budget-23.jpgwwwcarter-vision-budget-23.jpgcarter-vision-budget-23.jpg2205721200800 An Update from President Carter on Our Vision Planning///YouTube

Following a Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 17, 2023, University of Nebraska (NU) System President Ted Carter shared an update with faculty and staff about the NU system's budget and budget planning process.


Dear Colleagues,

I hope you have had a restful summer with family and friends. I’m looking forward to the start of what I know will be another successful academic year at the University of Nebraska.

Today I provided a brief update to the Board of Regents on the “Five-Point Plan” we announced in June to navigate the fiscal challenges before us. I want to share the same information with you.

I have been heartened to hear from so many of you who are energized by our commitment to being proactive in the face of our challenges rather than defensive. None of us has any illusions about the hard work ahead, but the chancellors, vice presidents and I are confident that our approach will make us an even more competitive, dynamic and efficient university.

We have taken the following actions in line with our plan:

First, we have put short-term strategies in place that will allow us to manage our $27 million shortfall for this fiscal year without dipping into our cash reserves. A hiring freeze on non-faculty positions is in place across the system, as is a quarterly operating budget rescission. I have also asked the chancellors to exercise restraint in spending on discretionary areas like travel and equipment. While disruptive, these temporary actions will help keep our budget balanced in the near term.

Second, we are moving forward on the longer-term strategies we identified to reimagine the University of Nebraska in the face of our new realities of rising costs, muted revenue growth and a challenging enrollment environment. These strategies are meant to not only balance the budget, but also free up resources that can be redeployed to priorities that will position the University of Nebraska to compete at the highest levels.

  • I have tasked Chancellors Rodney Bennett and Jeff Gold with forming a team to determine how to report UNL, UNMC and Office of the President research as a single entity. Our current separate reporting puts us at a competitive disadvantage. A unified approach will move us closer to our goal to be readmitted into the prestigious Association of American Universities and be counted among the nation’s most outstanding institutions.

  • We are initiating a zero-based budget review of non-faculty positions to ensure that every expenditure is justified. We will also review operating functions that remain decentralized. We have no predetermined answers, but these reviews will require us to think carefully about every dollar and whether we have additional opportunities to take advantage of our scale and operate more efficiently. We are working closely with our business and finance leadership teams to finalize these processes and will communicate next steps to the relevant units soon.

  • Campus teams are modeling the costs of total cost of attendance scholarships at various ACT score thresholds as part of our goal to compete more effectively for top students in Nebraska.

  • Our data team is creating a dashboard that will measure our instructional programs against the Nebraska Coordinating Commission’s minimum performance standards. Our goal is to more effectively monitor our programs in real time. We also are initiating a conversation with the chief academic officers about collaborative opportunities in programs that are offered by multiple campuses.

  • Finally, I have directed a review of the University’s investments in our system-wide institutes to determine whether we are missing opportunities to achieve a greater return in federal research funding – a key performance metric for AAU admission.

We have a great deal of work ahead of us, without the luxury of time to find necessary savings. As I have told the Board of Regents, forward progress on our Five-Point Plan is our highest objective. We will need to be diligent in setting priorities and adhering to them, but I have every confidence that working together, we will seize this opportunity to create a blueprint for the future of higher education.

We will continue to share details with you, as well as opportunities to engage in this important process, as we take additional steps toward our plan. Thank you for all you do for the University of Nebraska.

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About the University of Nebraska

The University of Nebraska is the state’s only public university system, made up of four campuses – UNL, UNO, UNK and UNMC – each with a distinct role and mission. Together the campuses enroll nearly 50,000 students and employ 16,000 faculty and staff who serve the state, nation and world through education, research and outreach. For more information and news from the University of Nebraska, visit www.nebraska.edu/news.

/No
/news/2023/08/an-update-from-president-carter-on-our-vision-planningdepartmentUniversity of Nebraska (NU) Systemphoneemailmelissalee@nebraska.educategoryGeneral Publiclocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2023/08/an-update-from-president-carter-on-our-vision-planningwwwan-update-from-president-carter-on-our-vision-planningAn Update from NU System President Carter on Our Vision PlanningAn Update from NU System President Carter on Our Vision PlanningFollowing a Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 17, 2023, University of Nebraska (NU) System President Ted Carter shared an update with faculty and staff about the NU system's budget and budget planning process.University of Nebraska (NU) System, NU System, PatentsMelissa LeeFollowing a Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 17, 2023, University of Nebraska (NU) System President Ted Carter shared an update with faculty and staff about the NU system's budget and budget planning process.Aug 17, 2023 5:00 PM
New & Noteworthy
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1678082400000/news/2023/03/img/nebraskas-diaperbank-partner-logo.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2023/03/img/nebraskas-diaperbank-partner-logo.jpgwwwnebraskas-diaperbank-partner-logo.jpgnebraskas-diaperbank-partner-logo.jpg847331200800The Maverick Food Pantry is now a Nebraska Diaper Bank partnerNebraska Diaper Bank///YouTube

Through collaboration with the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and the Women and Gender Equity Center at UNO, the Maverick Food Pantry became a Nebraska Diaper Bank partner in March 2023. This means the pantry now distributes free diapers to all Maverick Food Pantry guests — including the UNO community, UNMC students, and College of Saint Mary students.


How to Participate

Wondering how to order? Stop by the pantry in 106 CEC to fill out an order form and receive diapers same day, while supplies last. The stock is replenished the first week of each month.

Program Requirements:

  • The child's parent/guardian must be the individual receiving diapers

  • Children may receive diapers until their third birthday

  • A family’s income level is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or the family is experiencing financial need

  • Families may only receive one supplement of diapers (60-80 diapers/2 bundles) from Nebraska Diaper Bank each month


How You Can Help

Wondering how to support this partnership? Donate to the Maverick Food Pantry Excellence Fund and stay tuned for a diaper drive on UNO’s campus!


About the Nebraska Diaper Bank

The Nebraska Diaper Bank provides a monthly supplement of 60-80 diapers to low-income children under the age of 3, through 24+ partner organization sites. Nebraska Diaper Bank’s mission is to provide diapers through collaborative partnership to change lives and empower families in need. Nebraska Diaper Bank’s vision is a heartland without diaper needs where families thrive, and all babies are happy, healthy, and safe.

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/news/2023/03/maverick-food-pantry-partners-with-nebraska-diaper-bankdepartmentMaverick Food Pantryphoneemailmadelinestclair@unomaha.educategoryFacultyCurrent StudentsStafflocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2023/03/maverick-food-pantry-partners-with-nebraska-diaper-bankwwwmaverick-food-pantry-partners-with-nebraska-diaper-bankMaverick Food Pantry Partners With Nebraska Diaper BankMaverick Food Pantry Partners With Nebraska Diaper BankThrough collaboration with the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and the Women and Gender Equity Center at UNO, the Maverick Food Pantry recently became a Nebraska Diaper Bank partner.Maverick Food Pantry, GSRC, WGEC, diapersMadeline St. ClairThrough collaboration with the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and the Women and Gender Equity Center at UNO, the Maverick Food Pantry recently became a Nebraska Diaper Bank partner.Mar 6, 2023 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1674712800000//news/2023/01/img/1200_w82a0070.jpgnavigationYessite://CAS/news/2023/01/img/1200_w82a0070.jpgCAS1200_w82a0070.jpg1200_w82a0070.jpg2601461200800Group photo of the MADAM research teamNebraska Deterrence Lab team members at the December experiment, from left: Deanna House, Michelle Black, Medicine Flower Blue Star, Jimmy Hang, Miranda Barna, Lana Obradovic, Josie Nelson, Rachel Urban, and Tyler White./news/2023/01/img/1200_w82a0049.jpgnavigationYessite://CAS/news/2023/01/img/1200_w82a0049.jpgCAS1200_w82a0049.jpg1200_w82a0049.jpg2091361200800Josie Nelson stands talking in the front of the roomGraduate Assistant Josie Nelson briefs the room on her team's findings and experience participating in the experiment the day prior./news/2023/01/img/1200_w82a0029.jpgnavigationYessite://CAS/news/2023/01/img/1200_w82a0029.jpgCAS1200_w82a0029.jpg1200_w82a0029.jpg2122401200800Participants discuss the previous day's experiment and initial analysis of the actors in the scenario. Pictured from left: UNL Graduate Assistant Rachel Urban, UNO Undergraduate Student Miranda Barna, and Tyler White, NSRI Fellow and Associate Professor of Practice of Political Science and Director of National Security at UNL.YouTube

To help agencies better anticipate emerging national and international security challenges and deter future threats, researchers at the Nebraska Deterrence Lab are developing and testing tools that can help inform decision-making and analysis. Contributors and collaborators include faculty and students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

In December of 2022, agents and analysts from the FBI joined faculty and students to run an experiment using the multi-actor deterrence analysis methodology (known as MADAM). In the experiment, participants analyzed potential threats to the Nebraska and Iowa agricultural economy — these threats could include anything from actions by terrorist groups or unfriendly nations to threats like climate change, cyber threats, and diminished access to resources.

For a critical infrastructure sector tasked with feeding the world, understanding which vulnerabilities exist and how they might be exploited by others is crucial to understand, particularly in today’s environment.

Dr. Michelle Black, principal investigator on the project and Co-Director of the lab, said the experiment shows how the research can be applied to current and relevant security issues — especially those close to home. In working with FBI analysts in this scenario, they are testing the flexibility of MADAM and looking for feedback on how the tool could help classify unfriendly actors (state and non-state actors) and potential threats. In many ways, the tool and actor profiles need to be fluid so they can be adapted for various scenarios.

“If we start putting up walls, that limits our collaboration and our chance to innovate,” Black said.

For each state or non-state actor identified within the scenario, a proprietary algorithm scores aspects such as objectives and actions. Participants in the experiment input the data into a custom developed tool, created by UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology (IS&T) graduate student Steve Saunders. Dr. Deanna House, Co-Director of the lab, established space and resources to help create the lab in August 2022. House converted previous research and experiments — including one with NATO participants which relied exclusively on hand-written analysis and took five full days — into the design of a tool coded by Saunders and used by the FBI experiment. The software reduced the time required to less than half.

Several other undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to Saunders, have contributed to the MADAM project. Josie Nelson, a graduate student in political science, has worked on the project for almost three years, starting during her undergraduate years at UNO.

“I've always been drawn to international affairs and security, and this project is a great nexus of the two,” Nelson said. “I think we are doing some really groundbreaking research that's getting attention from a lot of government agencies, including our FBI counterparts here. We've worked with NATO in the past, and we're hoping to get a [Department of Defense] agency for our next scenario.”

Jimmy Hang, an undergraduate pursuing a bachelor’s of multidisciplinary studies, was drawn to the project while taking Black’s course on U.S. foreign policy. He added, “It’s been a really great experience working on this project with Dr. Black, and with this work we are developing and fostering partnerships between UNO and other agencies.”

The project overall provides an opportunity for students to learn unique skills through active, hands-on research. Medicine Flower Blue Star, a graduate student in political science focusing on international affairs, joined the project in fall 2022 and said she’s thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“I love research, and I love connecting information,” Blue Star said. “Meeting people who are actually working within the field and seeing how they think and analyze things has been so beneficial.”

Nelson said the results of the experiment so far validate the work and show the methodology is a lot more versatile than originally thought. The experiment and its outcomes will help further research in deterrence and national security, and hopefully provide value to agency partners.

FBI Omaha Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Wade Greening said, “Staying ahead of evolving threats to U.S. interests is core to the FBI’s mission. When we can work with partners to deter adversaries now from criminal activity, our communities will be safer, and our agricultural partners can continue fulfilling their critical role in feeding this nation.”

The full Nebraska Deterrence Laboratory team includes:

  • Michelle Black, Associate Professor of Political Science at UNO, Security Innovations Academic Program Director and Research at NCITE, and NSRI fellow
  • Deanna House, Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis at UNO and NSRI fellow
  • Lana Obradovic, Director of International Studies and Associate Professor of Political Science at UNO, and NSRI fellow
  • Tyler White, Associate Professor of Practice of Political Science and Director of National Security at UNL, and NSRI fellow
  • Elsbeth Magilton, Director of Externships and the Executive Director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law, University of Nebraska College of Law at UNL
  • Josie Nelson, Graduate Assistant and Student at UNO
  • Steve Saunders, Research Assistant at UNO
  • Rachel Urban, Graduate Assistant and Student at UNL
  • Medicine Flower Blue Star, Graduate Student at UNO
  • Miranda Barna, Undergraduate Student at UNO
  • Jimmy Hang, Undergraduate Student at UNO
  • Cameron Carpenter (UNO Contributor)
  • Blake Hopping (UNO Contributor)
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/news/2023/01/nebraska-deterrence-lab-hosts-experiment-with-regional-fbi-agentsdepartmentphoneemailckopietz@unomaha.educategoryStaffFacultyResearchCurrent StudentsAlumniMediaCollege of Information Science and TechnologyGeneral PublicCollege of Arts and Scienceslocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CAS/news/2023/01/nebraska-deterrence-lab-hosts-experiment-with-regional-fbi-agentsCASnebraska-deterrence-lab-hosts-experiment-with-regional-fbi-agents[Article Heading]Nebraska Deterrence Lab Hosts Experiment with Regional FBI AgentsAgents from the FBI joined the Nebraska Deterrence Lab to run an experiment analyzing potential threats to the Nebraska and Iowa agricultural economy.Courtni KopietzAgents from the FBI joined the Nebraska Deterrence Lab to run an experiment analyzing potential threats to the Nebraska and Iowa agricultural economy.Jan 13, 2023 12:00 AM
News ReleaseYesNoYesYes1677736800000In a new op-ed, University of Nebraska (NU) System President Carter speaks to the value of the system and its impact on the state of Nebraska./_shared/images/1200x800/university-of-nebraska/tedcarterjr-f.jpgnavigationNosite://www/_shared/images/1200x800/university-of-nebraska/tedcarterjr-f.jpgwwwtedcarterjr-f.jpgtedcarterjr-f.jpg859981200800University of Nebraska (NU) System President Ted CarterUniversity of Nebraska (NU) System President Ted Carter///YouTube
The op-ed below was written by University of Nebraska(NU) System President Ted Carter.

At our last University of Nebraska Board of Regents meeting, we heard a presentation about Nebraska’s workforce challenges that made us all sit up straighter in our chairs.

Fast-growing, high-wage jobs – like those in science, IT, engineering, healthcare and business – are significantly more likely to be filled by people with a bachelor’s degree or above. That’s according to the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

At the same time, Nebraska is not currently competitive in the share of our working-age population who hold at least a four-year degree, ranking just 26th in the nation. The “brain drain” of college-educated workers leaving our state continues to be a challenge.

My takeaway?

High-skilled jobs are the proven pathway to Nebraska’s economic growth and competitiveness – and we as a state have work to do in order to educate and retain the talented workforce that will power our growth trajectory forward.

All of higher education is part of the solution. But I would argue that for a state with bold growth goals in its sights, there is no more powerful investment than in its public university.

Here at the University of Nebraska, I am proud to say that for every $1 the people of our state entrust to us, we return $9 in economic activity. We take seriously our responsibility to put every one of Nebraskans’ dollars to good use, and I believe the numbers alone show we are responsible and effective stewards. From the 11,000 graduates we produce each year to the $16 million we add to Nebraska’s economy every day, the University of Nebraska’s impact on our state’s economy is significant and far-reaching.

What’s more, numbers only tell so much of the story.

College opens a lifetime of opportunities for every student who enrolls – preparing them not just for the job they will hold when they’re 25, but also the jobs they’ll hold at 35, 50 and beyond. The fact is most of those jobs haven’t even been created yet. Our duty is to educate students for a lifetime of learning, curiosity and growth.

This has certainly been true in my own life. I was offered a scholarship to study baritone saxophone, then had an opportunity to study medicine at an Ivy League university. I ended up choosing to attend the U.S. Naval Academy – which brought with it the chance to work on the college magazine, captain the hockey team, spend 38 years flying missions around the world and ultimately serve as your university president.

College opened a pathway I couldn’t have dreamed of at age 18. That’s exactly what it’s supposed to do. And that is what we do for 50,000 students every year – young people who will go on to start businesses in their hometowns, teach the next generation of students, lead the family farm and provide our health care, ultimately ensuring vibrant and growing communities.

University research also creates a ripple effect in Nebraska’s economy. Consider that the University of Nebraska is ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for earning patents for our faculty members’ research. Each patent represents a growth opportunity: These faculty turn their discoveries into new companies, new jobs and new technologies that may not exist here in Nebraska if not for the presence of a world-leading university.

New surgical devices that save lives, tools to fight wildfires, treatments for devastating diseases like HIV – these are only a few examples of the innovations that exist because some of the best minds in the world are working right here in Nebraska to improve the human condition and grow our economy in the process.

We’re able to achieve these things because we have been purposeful with our resources, directing every dollar to areas where we can create the greatest impact. Nebraska’s elected leaders have been steady and generous partners in our efforts, consistently recognizing the tremendous value of an affordable, accessible, competitive public university. Because of their support, the University of Nebraska is able to provide students and families a combination of quality and value that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

The University of Nebraska is a proven ingredient in Nebraska’s recipe for growth. As a state, now is the time for us to take our growth opportunity and create our next chapter of economic and workforce success.

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/news/2023/03/as-nebraska-looks-to-grow-the-university-offers-a-powerful-roidepartmentUniversity of Nebraska System (NU)phoneemailcategoryFacultyStaffMediaGeneral Publiclocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/2023/03/as-nebraska-looks-to-grow-the-university-offers-a-powerful-roiwwwas-nebraska-looks-to-grow-the-university-offers-a-powerful-roiNU System President Ted Carter: As Nebraska Looks to Grow, the University Offers a Powerful ROINU System President Ted Carter: As Nebraska Looks to Grow, the University Offers a Powerful ROIIn a new op-ed, University of Nebraska (NU) System President Carter speaks to the value of the system and its impact on the state of Nebraska. University of Nebraska (NU) System, NU System, President Ted CarterPresident Ted CarterIn a new op-ed, University of Nebraska (NU) System President Carter speaks to the value of the system and its impact on the state of Nebraska.Mar 2, 2023 12:00 AM
Access the Experts with IS&T
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1621962000000In this installment, Gandhi answers: "What is ransomware and how does it work?"/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/_imgs/gandhiweb2navigationNosite://www/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/_imgs/gandhiweb2wwwgandhiweb2gandhiweb2162897Access the Experts is an innovative partnership between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and News Channel Nebraska (NCN), where viewers submit their questions to be answered by UNO faculty members.A screen shot of Robin Gandhi on Access the Experts///YouTube

In This Installment of Access the Experts

Robin Gandhi, Ph.D, director of the UNO School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, answers the question: "What is ransomware and how does it work?"

 

About Gandhi

An expert in areas related to cybersecurity Gandhi holds teaching and research interests in areas that include information assurance, software assurance, regulatory requirements, risk assessment, and more.

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///news/block-boilerplate/access-the-expertsnavigationNowwwaccess-the-expertsAccess the ExpertsAccess the ExpertsYes
/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/robin-gandhi-what-is-ransomwaredepartmentphoneemailcategoryGeneral Publiclocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/robin-gandhi-what-is-ransomwarewwwrobin-gandhi-what-is-ransomwareAccess the Experts: Robin GandhiAccess the Experts: Robin GandhiIn this installment, Gandhi answers: "What is ransomware and how does it work?"Access the ExpertsIn this installment, Gandhi answers: "What is ransomware and how does it work?"May 25, 2021 12:00 PM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1604469600000In this installment, Hall answers: “How does the order in which information is consumed across websites impact what a person sees next?”/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/_imgs/hallweb.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/_imgs/hallweb.jpgwwwhallweb.jpghallweb.jpg1702311200800Access the Experts is an innovative partnership between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and News Channel Nebraska (NCN), where viewers submit their questions to be answered by UNO faculty members.Magie Hall///YouTube

In This Installment of Access the Experts

Magie Hall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of IT Innovation, University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) College of Information Science & Technology (IS&T), answers the question: “How does the order in which information is consumed across websites impact what a person sees next?”

 

About Hall

Hall’s research investigates the integration of digital systems and people, through methods that include social media analysis, social simulations, and more.

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///news/block-boilerplate/access-the-expertsnavigationNowwwaccess-the-expertsAccess the ExpertsAccess the ExpertsYes
/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/magie-halldepartmentphoneemailcategoryCurrent StudentsFacultyStaffMedialocationsite://www/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/magie-hallwwwmagie-hallAccess the Experts: Magie HallAccess the Experts: Magie HallIn this installment, Hall answers: “How does the order in which information is consumed across websites impact what a person sees next?”Access the Experts, College of Information Science & Technology, CISTIn this installment, Hall answers: “How does the order in which information is consumed across websites impact what a person sees next?”Nov 4, 2020 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1601614800000In this installment, Hale answers: “What makes someone vulnerable to spam and phishing attacks?”/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/_imgs/haleweb.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/_imgs/haleweb.jpgwwwhaleweb.jpg2198091200800Access the Experts is an innovative partnership between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and News Channel Nebraska (NCN), where viewers submit their questions to be answered by UNO faculty members.Matt Hale still///YouTube

In This Installment of Access the Experts

Matthew L. Hale, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in UNO’s School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, College of Information Science and Technology, answers the question: "What makes someone vulnerable to spam and phishing attacks?"

 

 

About Hale

A cybersecurity expert, Hale can speak to the tactics of scammers and best practices for avoiding being phished, and other cybersecurity concerns. His current research interests lie at the intersection of security and software engineering with specific focuses on building and testing secure web services, mobile applications, and wearables.

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///news/block-boilerplate/access-the-expertsnavigationNowwwaccess-the-expertsAccess the ExpertsAccess the ExpertsYes
/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/matt-haledepartmentphoneemailcategoryStaffMediaFacultyCurrent Studentslocationsite://www/news/access-the-experts-with-uno/matt-halewwwmatt-haleAccess the Experts: Matt HaleAccess the Experts: Matt HaleIn this installment, Hale answers: “What makes someone vulnerable to spam and phishing attacks?”Access the Experts, College of Information Science & TechnologyIn this installment, Hale answers: “What makes someone vulnerable to spam and phishing attacks?”Oct 2, 2020 12:00 AM
IS&T In the News /https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/uno-researchers-work-with-sarpy-county-to-study-violence-prevention/article_800f3bf2-2778-11ec-96c0-a36914e9fe4a.html/https://web.unomaha.edu/-temporary-slug-ccd6848c-f8e2-467f-9784-e6ae0aafe2bf?hs_preview=uxPGDHug-56899454838/https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603637/how-a-college-kid-made-his-honda-civic-self-driving-for-700//http://netnebraska.org/article/news/1164962/uno-software-helps-id-remains-missing-us-service-members/news/ist-media-mentionsnavigationYessite://CIST/news/ist-media-mentionsCISTist-media-mentionsIS&T Media MentionsView more IS&T media mentions...IS&T Mavericks are thought leaders, innovators, and news-makers. We'll be updating this page monthly with media stories featuring IS&T faculty, staff, students, and alumni. IS&T Mavericks are thought leaders, innovators, and news-makers. We'll be updating this page monthly with media stories featuring IS&T faculty, staff, students, and alumni. http:///http:///////Students/http://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-information-science-and-technology/information-systems-and-quantitative-analysis/student-involvement/index.php/http://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-information-science-and-technology/school-of-interdisciplinary-informatics/student-involvement/index.php/http://www.unomaha.edu/news/maverick-weekly/Outreach/http://www.ist.unomaha.edu/women-in-it//http://itacademy.unomaha.edu/https://techademy.unomaha.edu/Faculty & Staff/http://www.unomaha.edu/facsen//http://sac.unomaha.edu//http://
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1657947600000The refrain from the classic John Denver song is more than just an ode to nostalgia. In recent years, it has echoed the importance rural communities are placing on infrastructure./news/2021/10/img/smart-bridges-grant-photo.jpgnavigationNosite://www/news/2021/10/img/smart-bridges-grant-photo.jpgwwwsmart-bridges-grant-photo.jpgsmart-bridges-grant-photo.jpg1630431200800Researchers from both UNO and UNL are finding ways to help alert state officials before Nebraska b ridges fail. Pictured are (from left) Brian Ricks, Ph.D., Robin Gandhi, Ph.D., Deepak Khazanchi, Ph.D., Daniel Linzell, Ph.D., and Chungwook Sim, Ph.DUNO and UNL researchers stand by a bridge in rural Nebraska///YouTube

The refrain from the classic John Denver song is more than just an ode to nostalgia. in recent years, it has echoed the importance rural communities are placing on infrastructure.

Impacting everything from grocery runs to doctor appointments to soccer games, consistent transportation is incredibly important to everyone, especially when you don’t have daily necessities within walking or biking distance.

Since 2017, the Nebraska Department of Transportation has worked with the University of Nebraska System on many projects to improve mobility in rural areas. This includes efforts led by a partnership between UNO Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) and the University of Nebraska at Kearney to grow and sustain transportation options in rural Nebraska communities so that informed discussions about improving transit systems can occur. Funding for the project was recently renewed in 2022 for another two-and-a-half years.

“We’re providing research, data and efficient systems to build the capacities of rural transit agencies to continue their work of community development. We are also getting people together and having a conversation about how to expand mobility options throughout the state,” Josie Gatti Schafer, Ph. D., director of CPAR said. “It’s really about digging into what challenges in those communities are and working with the people there to respond effectively and efficiently.”

With a need for public transit services across the state, the NU System is also assisting these rural agencies through an online tracking system to assist providers with access to federal funding, as well as maintaining and promoting a website, nebraskatransit.com, so more people in these communities know about the services available.

“You don’t know what challenges and hurdles they would have to overcome to do basic things that a lot of people with a car would take for granted,” Schafer said. As the demand for transportation to access basic needs increases, the research and resources of the NU System will continue to help serve communities.

“Knowledge is power and the data and data systems we provide can help rural communities sustain and transform,” Schafer said. “There’s this want to be responsive and accountable, and they need these research services to do so.”

However, UNO’s role in transportation improvements across Nebraska isn’t just tied to public transit. Researchers are also improving the roads themselves.

Allowing for effective transportation over everything from small overpasses to large rivers, bridges are vital to transportation across the state, as is their maintenance

“When we construct bridges, bridges are inspected every two years,” Robin Gandhi, Ph. D., professor in the school of interdisciplinary informatics, said. “You get a snapshot of how the bridge is behaving and make sure that any problems are noted. As the bridge ages, it’s important to keep track of how quickly the bridge is deteriorating.”

Gandhi and a team of experts from UNO and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have paid special attention to bridges in rural communities and were recently awarded a $5 million grant from the Department of Defense Army Corps of Engineers to conduct research that will extend the lifespan of bridges through new monitoring technology.

On top of being used to make comparisons, patterns found throughout decades of government data can also aid systems created to monitor the behavior and health of bridges, so that awareness of weakening or failing bridges can happen sooner.

“Having a real-time perspective and analysis of bridge health is important. But you know, just attaching sensors to a bridge and monitoring one bridge, yes that’s possible,” Gandhi said. “But do we have the data infrastructure or framework by which we can monitor and analyze the structural health of all rural bridges or bridges in an entire state, in an entire country? That certainly becomes a much larger scalability privacy, and security issue.”

One problem the team hopes to overcome in real-time monitoring of this information is finding ways to avoid gaps in data availability due to bad service or connectivity.

“We want to make sure that there’s a resilient data collection platform where the data collected from the bridges can be transferred to a variety of different devices, different networks, with different bandwidths so that if one of these nodes goes down, the data is still available in other nodes,” Gandhi said.

As the team continues to collaborate on different projects surrounding this vital infrastructure, Gandhi says he hopes that their work can be used to help local, state and federal agencies save time and money.

“We can prioritize bridges that are deteriorating faster and perhaps wait on other bridges that don’t need as much help.”

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/news/features/uno-magazine/summer-2022/take-me-home-country-roadsdepartmentOffice of Strategic Marketing and CommunicationsphoneemailcategoryCollege of Information Science and TechnologyAlumniCollege of Public Affairs and Community Servicelocationevent-startsevent-endssite://www/news/features/uno-magazine/summer-2022/take-me-home-country-roadswwwtake-me-home-country-roadsUNO Magazine: Take Me Home, Country RoadsUNO Magazine: Take Me Home, Country RoadsThe refrain from the classic John Denver song is more than just an ode to nostalgia. In recent years, it has echoed the importance rural communities are placing on infrastructure.uno magazine, research, IS&T, CPACSEva BurklundThe refrain from the classic John Denver song is more than just an ode to nostalgia. In recent years, it has echoed the importance rural communities are placing on infrastructure.Jul 16, 2022 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1617598800000Briana Morrison, Ph.D., answered an urgent call to help more students study for the AP Computer Science exams Exams virtually. Is this the start of a new way of engagement? /news/2021/04/img/20181129_code_crush_006-1.jpgnavigationYessite://CIST/news/2021/04/img/20181129_code_crush_006-1.jpgCIST20181129_code_crush_006-1.jpg20181129_code_crush_006-1.jpg224776600398Dr. Morrison works with a teacher during a past event. Two teachers working together at a computer///YouTube

From Learning from Home and planning virtual events, faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Information Science and Technology spent the last year working hard to create safe and engaging learning environments for all. Faculty like Briana Morrison, Ph.D., were working double-time: teaching in IS&T's Computer Science and Computer Science Teacher Education programs, and volunteering for the Advanced Placement (AP) College Board. 

Morrison, an assistant professor, has a long history with the College Board. She was an admittedly reluctant recruit to be an AP “reader,” a professional who grades AP Exams. She said while being a reader was grueling, eight hours of straight grading for multiple days, it also made her a better instructor.

“It changed the way that I taught, and it changed how I designed and graded assessments. It made me much more efficient,” she said. After a few years, she made friends and expanded her network at these grading events – leading to an eventual invitation to join the development committee for the AP Exams. This last year, she helped ensure that everyone could take their AP Exams during the pandemic, which included helping to create over 40 different versions of the AP Computer Science Exam. Usually, the group produces two. 

“AP courses allow students to see what they will do when they do get to college. For the intellectually curious, they get to dig deeper into a subject matter, and allows them to be challenged and not coast. I think all these things are really valuable, whether or not they get college credit, it prepares them for that next step,” Morrison said.

Flexible learning, engaging lessons

Another need arose while the pandemic trudged on: how could the AP College Board encourage high-quality learning when everyone’s school district was a mix of in-person classes, virtual learning, or a mix of both? The College Board knew that students needed flexibility, and the ability to get feedback and ask questions. Thus, “AP Daily,” a series of video lectures from college professors who focus on AP subjects, was born. Morrison filmed a faculty lecture on “Arrays vs. ArrayLists: the When, Why, and How,” a subject that many AP high school teachers might not be able to fully flush out in class, but something students should understand. 

“[The AP College Board] wanted to bring in the higher education perspective,” Morrison said. “In my classes, I tend to use a lot more active learning – polls, chats, I have my bell for when they get [a question] right, I do all sorts of goofy little stuff to try and make it fun. For [the AP video], it’s more self-reflection than it is active."

The goal of the classes is to expand on the lessons a student may receive in their AP classes at their current high school. The videos might be assigned as additional learning materials by an AP teacher, but not necessarily designed to be a stand-alone class. Morrison noted that anyone could watch the videos to learn more about any given subject, however. 

Morrison added that one of the best parts of taking part in this project was connecting to others who were taking part in this video series. They were able to talk about each of their goals, their plans for the videos, and make sure the videos build upon each other. 

“I’m always amazed at how much I learn, especially from the high school teachers. They have the most inventive ideas for ways to teach things,” Morrison said. Morrison is always looking for ways she can bring back ideas to her teacher education classes and give them real-world examples of what works in classes across the country.

At the end of the day, Morrison hopes that although learning looked differently for a lot of students this last year, innovations like these videos helped students dive deeper into subjects they might not have had the opportunity to better understand. She said she was continuously inspired by her peers, who put a lot of thought and energy into making these videos approachable and useful. 

“All of these lessons – without computing, where would we be?” Morrison asked. 

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/news/2021/04/helping-ap-computer-science-studentsdepartmentphoneemailcategoryCollege of Information Science and Technologylocationevent-startsevent-endssite://CIST/news/2021/04/helping-ap-computer-science-studentsCISThelping-ap-computer-science-students[Article Heading]Helping AP Computer Science Students Level-Up Their GameBriana Morrison, Ph.D., answered an urgent call to help more students study for the AP Computer Science exams Exams virtually. Is this the start of a new way of engagement? computer science, AP ExamBriana Morrison helps AP Computer Science students study for their big exam. Apr 5, 2021 12:00 AM
News ReleaseNoNoYesYes1587013200000Whether you want to show off your Maverick spirit or just cover up that laundry pile behind you, try on one of these Zoom backgrounds during class, meetings and graduation! /_files/images/social/zoombackgrounds_cover-photo.pngnavigationYessite://CIST/_files/images/social/zoombackgrounds_cover-photo.pngCISTzoombackgrounds_cover-photo.pngzoombackgrounds_cover-photo.png14360061200800Picture of the Peter Kiewit Institute///YouTube

Whether you want to show off your Maverick spirit or just cover up that laundry pile behind you, try on one of these Zoom backgrounds during class, meetings and graduation!

Haven't spiced up your Zoom background before? Don't worry - it's easy:

  1. Select an images below and save it to your desktop (or a preferred folder).
  2. Open Zoom, go into "Settings" or "Preferences" and choose "Virtual Background."
  3. Beneath your example video there will be a small "+", select "Add Image", select your chosen background.

Will you be hanging out by the Chihuly in the atrium again? Or maybe back in your favorite classroom? Whatever background you select, know that IS&T is with you. 

Looking to travel around campus? Don't forget to check out UNO's backgrounds, and the UNO Alumni Association's selections as well. 

IS&T

 

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/news/zoom-backgroundsdepartmentphoneemailcategoryCollege of Information Science and Technologylocationsite://CIST/news/zoom-backgroundsCISTzoom-backgrounds[Article Heading]Be Maverick Proud with These IS&T Zoom BackgroundsWhether you want to show off your Maverick spirit or just cover up that laundry pile behind you, try on one of these Zoom backgrounds during class, meetings and graduation! Zoom backgrounds for UNO IS&TApr 16, 2020 12:00 AM
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