Engaging Omaha: How UNO’s Campus and Community Partnerships Advance Nebraska’s Future
Across UNO, Mavericks are transforming lives through engagement. From classrooms to community centers, faculty, staff, and students are connecting learning, research, and service to strengthen Nebraska’s workforce, expand opportunity, and drive innovation for the public good.
- published: 2025/11/20
- contact: Robyn Loos - Office of Engagement
- phone: 402.554.2173
- email: rloos@unomaha.edu
Community Visions II, a mural by Hugo Zamorano (2025), celebrates learning, collaboration, and community. Located in the UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center parking garage.
Through the Work-Learn program led by Dr. Magie Hall, UNO partners with the Siena Francis House to equip adults experiencing homelessness with in-demand tech skills.
UNO students in the Jack and Stephanie Koraleski Commerce and Applied Behavioral Lab use interactive technology to connect classroom learning with real-world business research.
UNO student-athletes ranked among the top ten nationally for community service, inspiring youth through volunteer programs across Omaha.
UNO students and community members celebrate the completion of a service learning project that connects education, art, and inclusion through Project Achieve.
At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), community engagement isn’t just a value—it’s how the university fulfills its metropolitan mission. Across all colleges and programs, Mavericks are partnering with local, regional, and national organizations to create lasting educational, social, and economic impact.
A Year of Campus-Wide Impact
In 2024–25, more than 8,000 students engaged with the community through coursework and service experiences in 504 engaged courses, partnering with 266 community organizations, schools, and businesses.
- 96% of students said engagement experiences gave them new, career-ready skills.
- 93% reported greater commitment to completing their degree.
- The Community Engaged Scholars designation grew 81% in two years.
- UNO student-athletes ranked Top 10 nationally for community service (Helper Helper).
Students also served hundreds of volunteer hours through Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs (VCE), addressing food insecurity, supporting youth programs, and honoring Dr. King’s legacy during the MLK Day of Service.
Connect, Collaborate, and Create Impact
Behind every statistic are people and partnerships shaping the future of Nebraska. Whether you’re a community partner, educator, or student, the UNO Office of Engagement offers tools and resources to help transform ideas into impact.
Engagement Aligns with UNO's Strategic Pillars
Educating All Learners
- Led by faculty from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences and the Service Learning Academy, the new Service Learning Educator Badge recognizes instructors who design high-impact, community-based courses.
- More than 1,000 P–16 learners partnered with UNO students in service learning projects across Omaha.
Research and Discovery
- Faculty and students from the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Information Science & Technology led $3.9 million in funded public service projects through ORCA—advancing justice reform, civic participation, and disaster planning with Indigenous communities.
Community Partnerships
- Faculty in the Grace Abbott School of Social Work and College of Communication, Fine Arts, and Media strengthened Omaha’s social and cultural landscape through initiatives such as the Sheltering Tree partnership.
- Programming at the Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center fosters civic dialogue.
Workforce and Economic Development
- The Work-Learn program—led by Dr. Magie Hall in the College of Information Science & Technology and supported by NSF and Meta—equips adults experiencing homelessness with in-demand tech skills.
- Researchers in the Center for Public Affairs Research analyzed Nebraska’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program, revealing a 324% increase in property values in revitalized areas statewide.
- The Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC) welcomed over 86,000 visitors and provided $1.2 million in community benefits through free and low-cost space for local organizations.
Innovation and Leadership Across Campus
Engagement thrives through leadership at every level:
- The Faculty Fellows program brings together faculty from all colleges to advance service learning and mentor peers.
- Student microgrants fund volunteer-led projects with Omaha nonprofits.
- UNO was recognized nationally by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a “Most Engaged Campus.”
- Faculty and staff serve on more than 80 community organization boards.
- Programs like the William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies and UNO Black Studies–Urban League of Nebraska partnership expand access to education and workforce development across the city.
Looking Ahead
As UNO prepares to pursue its third Carnegie Community Engagement Classification in 2025, the university is deepening its connections between research, learning, and public service.
Through shared purpose and partnership, Mavericks are transforming engagement into impact—strengthening Omaha, Nebraska, and the communities they call home.
📘 Discover how collaboration drives impact—read the UNO Office of Engagement 2024–25 Annual Report to see how campus and community are co-creating change across Omaha and beyond.
How to Connect with Us
Discover our team and learn how to connect with us through our staff directory website page.