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CPACS Alumni Award Recipients | Michaela Lucas and Darci Tierney

Darci Tierney and Michaela Lucas

Michaela Lucas | Aviation Institute

Michaela Lucas is associate director of the NASA Nebraska Space Grant and Nebraska EPSCor Program. This program funds students and faculty to engage in NASA-related projects such as university robotics competitions, rocket and space station payload development, high altitude ballooning, and more. Michaela developed the Nebraska Space Ambassador program in 2013. This elite group of Nebraska educators offers training to increase the STEM skills of other teachers. She partners with the Astronauts Memorial Foundation in hosting a premier educator conference at NASA Kennedy Space Center each summer.

Previously, she served as a full-time instructor of Aviation and senior research associate at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she taught aviation safety, diversity in aviation, introduction to aviation and aerospace, and other courses. She served as director for a national aviation policy seminar for university students in Washington, D.C. Michaela continues to teach as an aviation adjunct instructor for UNO.

Michaela is dedicated to inspiring young women toward careers in aviation and aerospace. She has attended the annual conference since 1993 and has sponsored students to attend since 1995. Michaela has served as faculty advisor for the UNO Women in Aviation Chapter since its inception in 2000. The Chapter received the UNO Outstanding Student Organization Award in 2006 and Michaela received the UNO Outstanding Advisor Award in 2005 and 2013.

Darci Tierney | School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Lt. Darci Tierney began her career at the Omaha Police Department 25 years ago. She started her career in Uniform Patrol and spent several years in Internal Affairs. She has been the commander of the Public Information Office for the last 11 years.

In her current role, she oversees public/media relations, social media, and the Omaha Police Department Crime Stoppers Program. She is married to David Tierney, who recently retired as a conservation pfficer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. They have a 17-year old daughter and 19-year old son. She is an active member of the First Responders Foundation and the Omaha Police Foundation and serves as a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach.

She is retiring in April 2019, but plans to continue her passion of coaching first responders in the Metro area.

About the CPACS Alumni Award

The individuals honored with a CPACS Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service demonstrate, through both their daily deeds and greatest achievements, the finest attributes of public and community service: integrity, stewardship, volunteerism, leadership, and a commitment to social justice and human dignity. They are a credit to their professions, their families, and our college. We congratulate them for this and all their achievements.

The 2019 awards are presented at a Celebration on March 5.