Awards Winners & Graduates Celebration 2025
So much to celebrate! We are honoring our 2025 notable award winners and our school's graduates
We are so thankful for the impact our alumni have!
Congrats to our 2025 Winners:
Back row, left to right:
- Michael Lee, a doctoral candidate, was awarded the SPA Student Excellence in Teaching Award for his commitment to education and service in public administration.
- Jo Ellen Martin, Sarpy County Corrections Director, received the Nebraska Certified Public Manager Award for over two decades of service and innovation in corrections operations.
- Hon. Edouardo Zendejas, director of UNO’s Tribal Management and Emergency Services program, received the SPA Community Impact Award for his tireless service to Native communities and public education.
- John Ewing, Omaha Mayor-Elect and Douglas County Treasurer, who received the Master of Science in Urban Studies Alumni Award for his outstanding legacy in public service and commitment to Omaha.
- Dr. James Harrold, UNO instructor and advisor, was also honored during the evening for his work which has influenced students in the school. Dr. Harrold, who is retiring in May 2025, was recognized for his commitment to academic excellence and mentorship.
- Erin Wendt, Outreach Coordinator at the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, was awarded the Emergency Management Alumni Award for her floodplain management and statewide outreach.
- Lauren Cencic, MPA, CEO of Metro Transit, received the Master of Public Administration Alumni Award for her leadership in public transportation planning and development.
Front row:
- Dr. Gary Marshall, professor and former doctoral program chair, earned the SPA Full-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award for his three decades of scholarship and public service.
- Hannah Boyd was honored with the Tribal Emergency Services Alumni Award for her passionate service with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs and advocacy for tribal communities.
Not pictured:
- Dr. Felipe Blanco, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Denver, was presented with the Ph.D. in Public Administration Alumni Award for his contributions to public policy research and mentoring
- Dr. Catherine Humphries Brown, founder of Catherine Brown Evaluation Services and long-time adjunct faculty member, received the SPA Part-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.
According to Dr. Yu-Che Chen, Director of the School of Public Administration, “On behalf of our school, I congratulate all of our award winners and graduates for your significant contributions and accomplishments. What unites us is the calling to public service and the shared commitment to make our community better. Like Dr. Harrold said, we will ‘keep striving’ for excellence in public service.”
SPA 2025 Award Winners | BIOGRAPHIES HERE
CONGRATULATIONS to our 2024 Winners:
- Alumni Awards for Excellence in Public Service
- Julie Jimenez, NE Certified Public Manager
- Lexy Hindt, Minor in Fire Service
- LaVada Pilcher, Minor in Tribal Management and Emergency Services
- Angelica Fitzgerald, Minor in Cross-Sector Collaborative Leadership
- Ali Reil Webb, Bachelors of Science in Emergency Management
- Logan Seacrest, MPA
- Evan Schweitz, Masters of Urban Studies
- Angela Eikenberry, PHD in Public Administration
- Julie Jimenez, NE Certified Public Manager
- SPA Full-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award
- Jodi Benenson
- SPA Part-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award
- Felicia Sullivan
- SPA Community Impact
- Emily McNabb
- SPA Student Teaching Award
- Jonathan Wong
- Sixty Andrews Scholarship
- Clarice Dombeck
DETAILED BIOGRPHIES