Our Excellence

Unit Awards and Rankings

U.S. News & Wold Report Graduate Program Rankings 2023

School of Public Administration - #23
Local Government Management - #7
Nonprofit Management - #11
Public Finance - #5
Leadership - #19

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice doctoral program - #13

Grace Abbott School of Social Work - #94

See more about UNO's rankings.

U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs 2022

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice - #10

Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies - #29

Universitywide Departmental Teaching Award

2005 - Grace Abbott School of Social Work
1995 - Goodrich Scholarship Program

Other Unit Awards

2021 - Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Adult Learner Impact Award – Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies, Division of Continuing Studies

2019 - Community Engagement Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, awarded for their work on the inaugural Women in Criminal Justice event in 2018 - School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

2012 - The Loening Trophy - The Flying Mavs, Aviation Institute

Chancellor’s Strategic Planning Award for Community Engagement

2010-2011 - Nebraska Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy
2009-2010 - Neighborhood Center's Graffiti Scan Program
2006-2007 - Center for Public Affairs Research
2005-2006 - School of Social Work

Faculty Awards

Chancellor's Medal

2019 - Kerry Beldin, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2018 - Jerome Deichert - Center for Public Affairs Research
2017 - Theresa Barron-McKeagney - Dean's Office
2012 - Ethel Williams - School of Public Administration

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, Department of 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, Department of 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, Department of Criminal Justice
1989 - Cassia Spohn - Department of 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, Department of Criminal Justice

CPACS/Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award

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
2012 - Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration
2010 - Pete Simi, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Named Professorships

Peter Kiewit Distinguished Professorship

2022-2023 - Peter Szto, Grace Abbott School of Social Work

Isaacson Professor

2019-2025 - Yu-Che Chen, School of Public Administration

James R. Schumacher Chair of Ethics

2020-2023 - Todd Richardson, Goodrich Scholarship Program

D.B. and Paula Varner Professorship

2020-2023 -Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration

Kayser Chair Professor

2011-2013 - Dale Krane, School of Public Administration

Regents/Foundation Professorship

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

David C. Scott Public Affairs Alumni Association Diamond Professorship

2020-present - Nancy Kelley, Grace Abbott School of Social Work
2019-2022 - Robert Meier, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2013-2019 - Angela Eikenberry, School of Public Administration
2008-2013 - John Bartle, School of Public Administration

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

2019-present - Samantha Clinkinbeard, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2011-2019 - Lisa Sample, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
2011-2016 - Ethel Williams, School of Public Administration

Distinguished Professorship of Aviation

2022-present - Becky Lutte, Aviation Institute
2011-2022 - Scott Tarry, Aviation Institute

Leo Missine Professorship

2019-present - Julie Boron, Department of Gerontology
2014-2019 - Christopher Kelly, Department of Gerontology

Terry Haney Chair of Gerontology

2016-present - Julie Masters, Department of Gerontology

Dr. Chuck Powell Professorship

2016-present - Lyn Holley, Department of Gerontology

Fellowships

Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration

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

Fellow, Gerontological Society of America

• Julie Blaskewicz Boron, Department of Gerontology
• Lyn Holley, Department of Gerontology

2018 - Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Faculty Fellow - Bryce Hoflund, School of Public Administration

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

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 Awaard, University Aviation Association - Chenyu "Victor" Huang, Aviation Institute (more information)

2021 - Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award - Julie Blaskewicz-Boron, Department of Gerontology

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, Ph.D., 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

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, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
2020 - Justine Barton, Division of Continuing Studies
2020 - Alyssa Spartz, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
2019 - John Focht, Division of Continuing Studies
2019 - Lauren Doehass, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
2018 - Gretchen Carroll, Division of Continuing Studies
2018 - Yan Yin Lo, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
2017 - Mark Frailey, Division of Continuing Studies
2017 - Jennifer Johnson, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
2016 – Joseph McGuire, Division of Continuing Studies
2016 – Jenna DeWilde, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
2015 – Rhonda Sheibal-Carver, Division of Continuing Studies
2015 – Laura Nokes, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
2014 – Beth Ann Maline, Division of Continuing Studies
2014 – Kaylin Ohler, College of Public Affairs and Community Service

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

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

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

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

2021 - Jerry and Patricia Deichert Staff Award - Sue Troester, School of Public Administration

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

2020 - Jerry and Patricia Deichert Staff Award - Patty Patton-Shearer, Goodrich Scholarship Program

2019 - Jerry and Patricia Deichert Staff Award - Ellen Rice, Grace Abbott School of Social Work

2019, November - Academic Advisor of the Month - 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 - Jerry and Patricia Deichert Staff Award - Melanie Kiper, Center for Public Affairs Research

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)