Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

University of Nebraska Omaha logo
College of Public Affairs and Community Service
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • About Us
    • Mission and Vision
    • Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion
    • The CPACS Collective
    • Dean's Advisory Board
    • Staff Directory
    • Faculty and Staff Resources
    • Our Excellence
    • Directions and Parking
    • CPACS Celebrates 50 Years
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Our Programs
    • Academic Advising
    • Goodrich Scholarship Program
    • CPACS Undergraduate Student Grade Appeal Policy
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Honors Program
  • Student Involvement
  • Community Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Community Engagement
    • Public Service Stories
    • CPACS Alumni Awards
    • Professional Development
    • Service Learning in CPACS
    • Labor Studies Institute
    • Office of Engagement
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Inquiry Awards
    • Research
    • Center for Public Affairs Research
    • Juvenile Justice Institute
    • Nebraska Center for Justice Research
    • Nebraska Space Grant
  • Support
  1. UNO
  2. College of Public Affairs and Community Service
  3. CPACS News
  4. 2023
  5. 08
  6. A New Home: the TRAC Program Partners With the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

A New Home: the TRAC Program Partners With the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

  • published: 2023/08/18
  • contact: Sadaf Hashimi, Assistant Professor - School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • phone: 402.554.7287
  • email: shashimi@unomaha.edu
  • search keywords:
  • education criminal justice pell grant
TRAC program participants
The TRAC (Transforming, Renewing, Achieving, and Connecting) Program has partnered with the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to provide post-secondary classes for incarcerated individuals. The program will continue to operate through funding from private donors and under the leadership of Dr. Sadaf Hashimi, an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Formerly housed in the Division of Continuing Studies, the UNO TRAC Program provides for-credit general education and Inside-Out college courses to incarcerated individuals at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC).

Post-secondary credit-bearing educational opportunities in a correctional setting not only has the potential to increase the likelihood of obtaining formal employment, and thus, increasing the chances of successful re-entry, but it can also improve institutional climate, encouraging students to form positive and supportive interactions with one another and with correctional staff."

 Sadaf Hashimi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the School of Criminnology and Criminal Justice
Most importantly, "the TRAC Program offers the opportunity for incarcerated persons to transform their behaviors by increasing their confidence in their academic abilities, improving their intellectual skills, and engaging in critical reflection of self and society," said Dr. Hashimi, Director of TRAC.

With support from OCC and private donors Steven, Tom, and Stephanie Scott, the TRAC Program has offered 27 courses since Fall 2017. While courses range, including English, Chemistry, Public Health, Sociology, and Math, almost all courses fall under UNO's General Education Curriculum. To date, there have been 340 enrollments, with an 80% completion rate. Credits earned during incarceration can be used towards a UNO degree, allowing incarcerated individuals interested in pursuing post-secondary education to continue their education once released. "With the reinstatement of the Pell Grant Funding, this is an opportune time for the SCCJ to continue to pursue community and university-wide partnerships with the possibility of expanding the TRAC Program into a full prison education program," said Dr. Hashimi.

The program's success continues to resonate among the population at OCC, proving to be a transformative experience for those involved. This is demonstrated in the testimonials from several students below:

"I remember the day I was accepted as a UNO student. I was in my cell when I got my UNO welcome letter and student ID number, but I felt like I'd just gotten a million dollars. When you're in prison you feel like you don't belong to anything, but UNO made me feel like I belonged to something."

"The opportunity to be exposed to higher education while incarcerated has provided much more than the education itself. It has given me hope in seemingly hopeless moments. It has given me great moments of satisfaction and accomplishment. Plus, the human connection."

"I have been challenged to think critically like I never have before. I have been exposed to knowledge, thought, and experiences that I have never been afforded before."

"Access to higher education has been an amazing experience. I am able to feel like I am using my time wisely, in a productive manner. Professionally, I see myself getting better with my social and communication skills. I feel encouraged by my progress and the motivation is real."

"The inspiration and motivation from the professors have really been encouraging at making higher education accessible and obtainable during my incarceration. I envision a better relationship between inmates for having the means to enter a classroom and build off each other while learning new skills and tools to better their lives."

"Personally, higher education has built a stronger sense of accomplishment and guidance in my life that I've been missing for a long time. Professionally, I have been expanding my knowledge in all areas and have already adopted new habits and skills I plan to use finishing achieving a degree and implement in my future career."

If you want to donate to the TRAC Program, please contact Sue Kutschkau from the University of Nebraska Foundation at sue.kutschkau@nufoundation.org or visit the NU Foundation fund. For questions about the program or if you would like to serve as an instructor, please contact Dr. Sadaf Hashimi at shashimi@unomaha.edu.


About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America's best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska's premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

News Sections

  • College of Public Affairs and Community Service News Center
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured

  • John Bartle, Ph.D., Honored with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement
  • A New Home: the TRAC Program Partners With the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Through the Lens of Empathy: Dr. Peter Szto's Visionary Approach to Mental Health
  • UNO on Offutt AFB Testing Center Receives Prestigious CLEP® Honors Military Achievement Award

Most Viewed

  • CPACS Graduate Programs Climb 2023 U.S. News Rankings
  • CPACS Enrollment at an All-Time High
  • New National Rankings Highlight UNO’s Leadership in Online Programs

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip or inquiry please contact:

Debbie Vihstadt, Communications Specialist
dvihstadt@unomaha.edu • 402.554.3033


About the College of Public Affairs and Community Service

College of Public Affairs and Community Service

  • Contact Us
  • Deans Office
  • College of Public Affairs and Community Service
  • CPACS 109
  • 6320 Maverick Plaza
  • Omaha, NE 68182  map this location
  • 402.554.2276
Social media
  • CPACS Units and Resources
  • Division of Continuing Studies
  • School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Department of Gerontology
  • Goodrich Scholarship Program
  • School of Public Administration/Aviation Institute/Emergency Management and Disaster Science
  • Grace Abbott School of Social Work
  • William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies
  • Center for Public Affairs Research
Sunrise over the CPACS building

Next Steps

  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)

Just For You

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List

Popular Services and Resources

  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence

Affiliates

  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • MavsReport

Social Media


Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page