Our Excellence

U.S. News & World Report Graduate Program Rankings 2025

• School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Doctoral program - #13
• School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Master's program #6
• School of Public Administration - #26
  Local Government Management - #11
  Nonprofit Management - #12
  Public Finance - #6
  Leadership - #31
• Grace Abbott School of Social Work - #92

See more about UNO's rankings.

Selected Awards

2019 - Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Community Engagement Award - School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Faculty Awards

UNO Chancellor's Medal

2019 - Kerry Beldin, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2018 - Jerome Deichert, Center for Public Affairs Research
2017 - Theresa Barron-McKeagney, CPACS Dean's Office
2012 - Ethel Williams, School of Public Administration
2003 - Sunny Andrews, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2002 - William Wakefield, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2000 - Jerry Cederblom, Goodrich Scholarship Program
1999 - B.J. Reed, CPACS Dean
1996 - William Blizek, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
1993 - Vincent J. Webb, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
1991 - David Hinton, CPACS Dean

UNO Distinguished Research and Creative Activity Award

2016 – Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration
2015 – John Crank, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2007 – Richard Box, School of Public Administration
2006 – Dale Krane, School of Public Administration
2005 – Jane Woody, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2003 – Jihong Zhao, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2002 – Karl Kosloski, Department of Gerontology
2001 – Ineke Haen Marshall, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2000 – Jay White, School of Public Administration
1999 – Finn-Aage Esbensen, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
1998 – Julie Horney, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
1994 – Cassia Spohn, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
1991 – James Thorson, Department of Gerontology
1989 – Samuel Walker, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

UNO Excellence in Teaching Award

2012 - Dennis Hoffman, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2002 - Samuel Walker, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2001 - Theresa Barron-McKeagney, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2000 - Judy Harrington, Goodrich Scholarship Program
1996 - Imafedia Okhamafe, Goodrich Scholarship Program
1996 - Philip Secret, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
1994 - Pamela J. Smith, Goodrich Scholarship Program
1993 - David Corbin, H&K/Department of Gerontology
1991 - Jerry B. Cederblom, Goodrich Scholarship Program
1990 - Leo Missinne, Department of Gerontology
1990 - Gwen Weber, Department of Social Work
1989 - Lorie Fridell, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
1989 - Cassia Spohn, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
1988 - Diane Gillespie, Goodrich Scholarship Program
1987 - Peter Suzuki, Department of Public Administration
1986 - David Paulson, Department of Public Administration
1983 - Shirley Waskel, Department of Gerontology
1982 - William Wakefield, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

CPACS/Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award

2023 - Nuri Heckler, Public Administration
2022 - Bede Bolin, Department of Gerontology
2021 - Jodi Benenson, School of Public Administration
2020 - Samantha Clinkinbeard, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2019 - Todd Richardson, Goodrich Scholarship Program
2018 - Rebecca Lutte, Aviation Institute
2017 - Christopher Kelly, Department of Gerontology
2016 - Kerry Beldin, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2015 - Robert Blair, School of Public Administration
2014 - Troy Romero, Goodrich Scholarship Program
2013 - Patrick O'Neil, School of Public Administration/Aviation Institute
2012 - Dennis Hoffman, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2011 - Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration
2010 - Pete Simi, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Named Professorships

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska Chair of Health Care Administration

• William Swann, School of Public Administration (2022-present)

David C. Scott Diamond Professorship

• Tara Richards, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2023-present)
• Peter Szoto, Grace Abbott School of Social Work (2022-2024)
• Nancy Kelley, Grace Abbott School of Social Work (2020-2023)
• Robert Meier, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2019-2022)
• Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration (2013-2019)
• John Bartle, School of Public Administration (2008-2013)

Dr. Chuck Powell Professorship

• Lyn Holley, Department of Gerontology (2016-present)

Elizabeth H. Reynolds and Beverly B. Reynolds Professor of Public Affairs and Community Service

• Teresa Kulig, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2025-present)
• Samantha Clinkinbeard, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2019-present)
• Lisa Sample, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2011-2019)
• Ethel Williams, School of Public Administration (2011-2016)

Isaacson Professor

• Gaylene Armstrong, CPACS Dean (2024-),
• Yu-Che Chen, School of Public Administration (2019-2024)

James R. Schumacher Chair of Ethics

• Todd Richardson, Goodrich Scholarship Program (2020-2023)

John E. Christensen Community Chair of Social Work in Early Child Welfare

• Heide Rueda, Grace Abbott School of Social Work (2023-present)

Kathleen D. Seline Professor of Public Administration

• Yu-Che Chen, School of Public Administration (2025-present)

Kayser Chair Professor

• Dale Krane, School of Public Administration (2011-2013)

Larry and Cindy Bradley Professorship for Goodrich

• Forthcoming 2026

Leo Missine Professorship of Gerontology

• Janelle Beadle, Department of Gerontology (2024-present)
• Lindsay Wilkinson, Department of Gerontology (2024-present)
• Julie Boron, Department of Gerontology (2019-2024)
• Christopher Kelly, Department of Gerontology (2014-2019)

Regents/Foundation Professorship

• Carol Ebdon, School of Public Administration (2013-2019)
• Christine Reed, School of Public Administration (2007-2013)

Terry Haney Chair of Gerontology

• Julie Masters, Department of Gerontology (2016-present)

UNO Aviation Institute Professorship

• Victor Huang, Aviation Institute (2023-present)
• Becky Lutte, Aviation Institute (2022-2023)
• Scott Tarry, Aviation Institute (2011-2022)

Fellowships

Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration

• Bob Houston, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (retired)
• Carol Ebdon, School of Public Administration (retired)
• John Bartle, School of Public Administration
• Ethel Williams, School of Public Administration (retired)
• Mary Hamilton, School of Public Administration (retired)
• B. J. Reed, Office of Academic and Student Affairs (retired)

Fellow, Gerontological Society of America

• Julie Blaskewicz Boron, CPACS Dean's Office (Gerontology)
• Lyn Holley, Department of Gerontology
• Christopher Kelly, Department of Gerontology

Fullbright Program

2020 - Fulbright Distinguished Chair in the Social Sciences - Peter Szto, Grace Abbott School of Social Work

2021-2022 - Fullbright Award

• Robert Blair, School of Public Administration
• Tara Bryan, School of Public Administration
• Anne Hobbs, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Other Faculty Awards and Recognition

2023 - Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement, The Glenn College at Ohio State - John Bartle, School of Public Administration

2023 - Inspire Women's Excellence in Education Award - Anne Hobbs, Juvenile Justice Institute

2023 - UNO SAC Above and Beyond Award - Anne Hobbs, Juvenile Justice Institute

2023 - UNO Alumni Association Jim Leslie Outstanding Service Award - Scott Vlasek, Aviation Institute

2023 - Outstanding Graduate Mentor - Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration

2023 - Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Outstanding Mentor Award - Gaylene Armstrong, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

2022 - Omaha Young Professionals Change Maker, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce - Theodore Johnson, Aviation Institute (more information)

2022 - National Coach of the Year, National Intercollegiate Flying Association - Scott Vlasek, Aviation Institute

2021 - Frank E. Sorensen Award, University Aviation Association - Chenyu "Victor" Huang, Aviation Institute (more information)

2020 - Science-wide Author Databases of Standardized Citation Indicators, Stanford University (a ranking of the work of more than six million scientists worldwide, based on career-long or single-year output within their field of study)

• Emily Wright - Ranked No. 182 for her research in the field of criminology
• Benjamin Steiner - Ranked No. 191 for his work in the field of criminology
• Justin Nix - Ranked No. 200 for his work in the field of criminology

2019 - Annual Dissertation Award, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration - Trang T. Hoang, School of Public Administration

2019-2020 - Engaged Scholar, Midwest region Campus Compact - Ryan Spohn, Nebraska Center for Justice Research

2018 - Great Plains Idea CTR Network Scholar Award - Janelle Beadle, Department of Gerontology

2018 - Collaborator of the Year, Great Plains Clinical & Translational Research Network - Jeanette Harder, Grace Abbott School of Social Work and Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs

2018 - UNO Alumni Association Outstanding Service Award - Christine Reed, School of Public Administration

2018 - Distinguished Scholar Awards from the American Society of Criminology Division on Corrections and Sentencing - Gaylene Armstrong, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Armstrong was also the winner of the 2003 Distinguished New Scholar Awards from ASC and is the first person to receive both awards)

2018 - Paul Posner Pracademic Award honoring lifetime achievement from the Association of Budgeting and Financial Management - Carol Ebdon, School of Public Administration (more information)

2018 - Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Criminal Justice Division of Policing - Samuel Walker, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (more information)

2018 - Legislative Resolution 474 of 150th Legislature of Nebraska, Second Session, expressing its appreciation for his service and dedication and congratulating and honoring on him on his retirement - Jerome Deichert, Center for Public Affairs Research

2017 - Professor of the Month, UNL Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board, Julie Masters, Department of Gerontology

2017 - V.L. Laursen Award for Outstanding Contributions to Aerospace Education, University Aviation Association - Rebecca Lutte, Aviation Institute (more information)

2017 - Administrative Leadership Honor, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, John Bartle, CPACS Dean's Office (more information)

2013 - Most Prolific Female Scholars in the Field of Criminology and Criminal Justice - Amy Anderson and Lorine Hughes, Criminology and Criminal Justice

2014 - William H. Spurgeon III Award (Boy Scots of America, Mid America Council) - Scott Vlasek, Aviation Institute

2014 - National Coach of the Year, National Intercollegiate Flying Association - Scott Vlasek, Aviation Institute

2013 - Honoree, Women's Center for Advancement - Ethel Williams, School of Public Administration

2013 - Langum Prize in American Legal History - Biography - Samuel Walker, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Presidents and Civil Liberties from Wilson to Obama: A Story of Poor Custodians)

2011 - National Lifetime Achievement Award, National Association of Social Workers - Ann Coyne, Grace Abbott School of Social Work

2011 - Lempka Leadership Award, New Cassel Foundation - Julie Masters, Department of Gerontology

2010 - W. E. B. Dubois Award, Western Society of Criminology - Sam Walker, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

2010 - Lifetime Achievement Award, National Association of Social Workers, Nebraska Chapter - Ann Coyne, Grace Abbott School of Social Work

2010 - John Grenzebach Research Award for Outstanding Research in Philanthropy, Published Scholarship - Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration (Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association and Democracy)

Student Awards

CPACS Deans Award

2023 - Channon Butler, Division of Continuing Studies
2022 - Thanh " Travis" Vo, Division of Continuing Studies
2022 - Chataut Ayush, Goodrich Scholarship Program
2021 - Samantha Salvatori, Division of Continuing Studies
2021 - Madeline M. Daley, Department of Gerontology
2020 - Justine Barton, Division of Continuing Studies
2020 - Alyssa Spartz, Emergency Management
2018 - Gretchen Carroll, Division of Continuing Studies
2018 - Yan Yin Lo, Aviation Institute
2017 - Mark Frailey, Division of Continuing Studies
2017 - Jennifer Johnson, Emergency Management
2016 – Joseph McGuire, Division of Continuing Studies
2016 – Jenna DeWilde, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2015 – Rhonda Sheibal-Carver, Division of Continuing Studies
2015 – Laura Nokes, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2014 – Beth Ann Maline, Division of Continuing Studies
2014 – Kaylin Ohler, Grace Abbott School of Social Work

Other Awards

2021 - Fullbright Award

• Samantha Salvatori, Division of Continuing Studies
• Annabelle Abisset, School of Public Administration

2021 - Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence - Samantha Salvatori, Division of Continuing Studies

2021 - Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Student Leadership - Hannah Johnson, Division of Continuing Studies

2019 - Young Black & Influential Omaha Award for Advocacy - Camron Hairston, Goodrich Scholarship Program

2019 - Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow - Lizabeth Perez Hernandez, Goodrich Scholarship Program (more information)

2019 - Meritorious Award for Undergraduate Oral Presentation, Student Research and Creative Activity Fair - Matthew McConnell, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

2019 - Meritorious Award for Graduate Oral Presentation, Student Research and Creative Activity Fair - Steven Windisch, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

2018 - First Place, Region VI National Intercollegiate Flying Association Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference competition - The Flying Mavs, Aviation Institute

2018 - Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Student Leadership - Gretchen Carroll, Division of Continuing Studies

2017, 2011, 2010, 2009 - First Place, Region VI National Intercollegiate Flying Association Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference competition - The Flying Mavs, Aviation Institute

Staff Awards

Employee of the Month

2021, December - Mindy Hunke, Division of Continuing Studies
2019, April - Sue Troester, School of Public Administration
2016, December - Valerie Lutz, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2015, November - Lyndsey Rice, Emergency Services Program
2015, April - Michelle Nelsen, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2014, May - Patty Patton Shearer, Goodrich Scholarship Program
2012, November - Melissa Wragge, NASA Nebraska Space Grant/EPSCoR
2002, April - David Brown, CPACS Technology Center
2011, September - David Drozd, Center for Public Affairs Research
2010, December - Kathryn Sup Rezac, Division of Continuing Studies

Other Staff Awards

Jerry and Patricia Deichert Staff Award,

• Jack Murrell, CPACS Dean's Office, 2024
• Bobbie Niess, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2024
• Rhonda Sehibal-Carver, CPACS Dean's Office, 2023
• Katie Robbins, Grace Abbott School of Social Work, 2023
• Mindy Hunke, Division of Continuing Studies, 2022
• Jim Harrold, School of Public Administration, 2022
• Sue Troester, School of Public Administration, 2021
• Patty Patton-Shearer, Goodrich Scholarship Program, 2020
• Ellen Rice, Grace Abbott School of Social Work, 2019
• Melanie Kiper, Center for Public Affairs Research, 2018

2023 - UNO Academic Advisor of the Month, July - Kristen Plowick, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

2023 - UNO Academic May Advisor of the Month - Heather Ford, Department of Gerontology

2023 - UNO Above and Beyond Award - Katie Sup Rezac, Division of Continuing Studies

2021 - UNO Academic Advisor of the Month, December - Spencer Thompson, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

2019 - UNO Academic Advisor of the Month, November - Sara Martin, Aviation Institute

2019 - WiSTEM Pro^2 Crockett Award for Promoting Women in STEM Staff Achievement Award - Michaela Lucas, Nebraska Space Grant (more information)

2018 - Spirit of Service Award - Karen Kempkes, Division of Continuing Studies

2017 - NACADA Region 6 Excellence in Advising as a Primary Role - Lyndsey Rice, Emergency Services Program (more information)

2017 - Board of Regent's KUDOS Award - Karen Ressegieu, Dean's Office (more information)

2017 - Academic Advisor of the Year - Lyndsey Rice, Emergency Services Program (more information)