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

APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Backback to Main menu
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City
    • Facts and Figures
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    • Contact Us
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Majors & Programs
    • Class Search
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Colleges
    • Academic Affairs
    • Online Learning
    • International
    • Library
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Registrar
    • Visit UNO
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Student Life Backback to Main menu
    • Student Life
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    • Maverick Advising Center
    • Career Services
    • Accessibility
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • Inclusion
    • Service
    • Student Conduct & Community Standards
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Safety
    • Wellness
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Engagement
    • Office of Engagement
    • Campus Resources for Community
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Voter Engagement
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
  • Athletics Backback to Main menu
    • Athletics
    • Baxter Arena
    • Omaha Mavericks Website
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center
  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. 2018
  4. 06
  5. Community Engagement Spotlight | Phil Witt, Ph.D.

Community Engagement Spotlight | Phil Witt, Ph.D.

UNO faculty Phil Witt, Ph.D., and his wife Angie were recognized for their efforts to support refugees in the Omaha community.

  • published: 2018/06/25
  • search keywords:
  • Campus Commitment
  • Community Engagement
image

Phil Witt, Ph.D., and his wife Angie spent weeks preparing an apartment refugees could call home, as part of a co-sponsorship for the Refugee Empowerment Center (REC). Because of their volunteerism through the co-sponsorship program, the Witt’s were recognized as REC's Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award.

In the fall of 2016, Witt contacted the REC, a refugee resettlement agency serving as an affiliate of Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. (ECDC) and the Department of State through the International Organization of Migration. Witt was interested in the REC co-sponsorship program in which volunteers prepare an apartment for refugees to move into on arrival.

“I just looked at my own family and thought and tried to put myself in the shoes of these refugee families that are being driven from their homes and lose everything… and think, I’d like to have somebody that was kind enough to watch out for me and provide somewhat of a landing spot.”

First, the Witt's solicited and gathered donated items as well as bought new items for the apartment. Angie Witt has an Etsy shop that sells “multi-cultural peg dolls” which raised $500 in funds. Angie Witt still makes the peg dolls and puts the funds away to donate to other refugee causes.

With the funds from the multi-cultural peg-dolls and other miscellaneous donated items, they furnished the apartment. They even placed a week’s worth of groceries in the house and prepared a meal for when the family arrived. “You want them to feel like it’s already a home so everything was all set up and ready." Witt encourages others to work on the causes they are passionate about.

Witt also encourages others to work on the causes they care about, and that includes his students. “A lot of times, I’ll tell my students, I’ll tell my family, ‘there’s so many issues and problems out there in the world that you can be passionate about. And sometimes it gets overwhelming to think, well how do I make a difference?’ And so, I just always encourage people to pick one or two things and figure out ways to make a difference.”

Witt, who teaches supply chain management courses, also has his students working on a project for a different refugee organization, Carry the Future. The project gives students the opportunity to conduct research and come up with new software solutions to help the organization manage its inventory. Carry the Future provides baby carriers and baby boxes for refugees.

Witt is always working to align community engagement with his work as a faculty member, and appreciates that it is one of the most important values at UNO.

Witt is an assistant professor in the College of Business Administration, Department of Marketing and Management.


Campus Commitment to Engagement

Community engagement and service are fundamental components of UNO's identity. This commitment to engagement is reflected in UNO's academics, student body, partnerships, and institutional framework. As an engaged campus, UNO values mutually-beneficial partnerships where information and expertise is shared and applied for the common good.

Share Your Story

Did you organize or participate in a community-oriented project or service? UNO wants to hear from you! UNO is committed to community engagement in its broadest form, and wants to feature your community service story.

Submit your story via e-mail.

Read other community engagement spotlight stories.

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.

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

  • News Sections:
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events
SHARE

News Sections

  • News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured Stories

  • UNO’s Graduate Programs, Overall Student Count Highlight Fall 2023 Enrollment Numbers
  • Parking and Transit Updates
  • A Great First Week of the Fall 2023 Semester
  • New Semester Guide

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu.

About University Communications

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