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

Students Faculty Staff Community
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
Students Faculty Staff Community
  • About
    About UNO
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City: Omaha
    • Facts & Figures
    • News
    • Events
    • Organizational Units
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    Get Started
    • Apply
    • Campus Visit
    • Contact Us
    Front view of UNO's ASH building
    Get Started Today

    Apply Now
  • Academics
    Majors and Programs
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Master's Programs
    • Doctoral Programs
    • International Programs
    • Online Programs
    • Class Search
    Colleges
    • College of Arts and Sciences
    • College of Business Administration
    • College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
    • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
    • College of Information Science & Technology
    • College of Public Affairs and Community Service
    • Graduate Studies
    Resources
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Library
    • Advising
    • Academic Affairs
    • Registrar
    • Academic Support
    • Request Transcript
    Top view glance of calendar showing August 2024
    Deadlines Are Approaching

    View year-at-a-glance calendars that include term start and end dates, and school holidays.

    Academic Calendar
  • Cost & Aid Backback to Main menu
    • Undergraduate Tuition
    • Graduate Tuition
    • Financial Support
    • Cost of Attendance
    • Undergraduate Scholarships
    • All Scholarship Information
    • Military and Veterans Benefits
    • Consumer Information
  • Admissions
    Get Started
    • Apply
    • Complete Your FAFSA
    • Schedule a Campus Visit
    • Request Info
    Admitted Students
    • Orientation
    • Enrollment Deposit
    • Transcripts
    • UNO 101
    • New Student & Family Events
    Cost & Aid
    • Undergraduate Tuition
    • Graduate Tuition
    • Financial Aid
    • Cost of Attendance
    • Scholarships
    • Military and Veterans Benefits
    • Consumer Information
    Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Transfer Students
    • Graduate Admissions
    Students walking together on campus for a tour
    Visit UNO's Campus

    Schedule a Tour
  • Student Life
    Campus Life
    • Event Calendar
    • Athletics
    • Campus Dining
    • Student Housing
    • Campus Recreation
    • Milo Bail Student Center
    • Parking and Transportation
    • Campus Safety
    Involvement and Leadership
    • Student Organizations
    • Student Government
    • Career Services and Internships
    • Spirit and Tradition
    • Student Leadership, Involvement, and Inclusion
    Support
    • Academic Support
    • Maverick Advising Center
    • Accessibility
    • Durango's Advancement & Support Hub (DASH)
    • Student Service
    • Student Safety
    Resources
    • Health Services
    • Military-Connected Resources
    • Student Conduct and Community Standards
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    Students participating in a beading craft activity
    Get Involved on Campus

    See Events Calendar
  • Engagement
    Students
    • Student Service and Leadership Collaborative
    • Find Volunteer Opportunities
    • Maverick Food Pantry
    • Voter Information
    • Internship Opportunities
    • Career Services
    • Student Resources
    • Become an Engaged Scholar
    Faculty and Staff
    • Faculty Senate
    • Center for Faculty Excellence
    • Staff Advisory Council
    • Faculty Resources
    • Engaged Research
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Community-Based Learning Courses
    Community
    • Campus Resources
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Promote Volunteer Opportunities
    • Promote Internship Opportunities
    • Rent Office Space
    • Senior Passport Program
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
    Office of Engagement
    • Connect to Campus
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Rent Office Space
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Partner With Us
    • Senior Passport Program
    • Nebraska Business Development Center
    • Community Partners on Campus
    Student volunteering with a food bank
    Connect with Us

    Contact the Office of Engagement
  • Research
    Student
    • Research and Creative Activity Fair
    • Graduate Research (GRACA)
    • Student Conference Travel Fund
    • Undergraduate Scholarly Experience (FUSE) Fund
    Faculty
    • Grant Databases
    • External Funding
    • Awards and Committees
    • Office of Sponsored Programs
    Research at UNO
    • Office of Research and Creative Activity
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
    Students giving presentations on research projects
    UNO Pushes Innovation Forward

    Read UNO Research News
  • Athletics
    Men's Teams
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Soccer
    • Swimming & Diving
    • Tennis
    Women's Teams
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Golf
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Swimming & Diving
    • Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    Game Day Resources
    • Purchase Tickets
    • Team Schedules
    • Buy Maverick Gear
    Baxter Arena
    • Calendar
    • Tickets
    • Directions & Parking
    • Clear Bag Policy
    • Public Skating
    Hockey player walking out on the ice arena
    Cheer on our Mavericks!

    Buy Tickets
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center
  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. 2020
  4. 04
  5. Student Leadership in the COVID-19 Era

Student Leadership in the COVID-19 Era

Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, student leaders Jabin Moore, Vanessa Chavez Jurado, and Aya Yousuf envision a future of a strengthened UNO community.

  • published: 2020/04/24
  • search keywords:
  • Student Government
  • Leadership
  • COVID-19
  • coronavirus
Student Body President and Student Regent Jabin Moore (left) and Vice President Vanessa Chavez Jurado (right)

Student Body President and Student Regent Jabin Moore (left) and Vice President Vanessa Chavez Jurado (right)

Former UNO Student Body President and Student Regent Aya Yousuf

Former UNO Student Body President and Student Regent Aya Yousuf

Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, student leaders Jabin Moore, Vanessa Chavez Jurado, and Aya Yousuf envision a future of a strengthened University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) community.

When UNO Student Regent and Student Body President Jabin Moore took his oath of office Wednesday via Zoom call, he did so with the understanding that he will carry out his responsibilities in a world filled with unknowns.

For the next year, Moore, an Omaha native studying business administration, will lead and represent UNO’s student body against the backdrop of a global pandemic crisis. It’s a challenge his time at UNO has prepared him for.

"I come from the perspective of being a first-generation college student and walking onto campus feeling very uncertain about my future, and about my ability to be successful," he said. "One thing that I learned is that I was not alone."

Moore, who previously served as student body vice president alongside outgoing Student Body President and Student Regent Aya Yousuf, said when he realized that 40 percent of UNO’s student body is first-generation, and that he had a network ready to support him, his outlook changed.

"I was comforted in the realization that we are all surrounded by people who want us to succeed and are doing whatever they can to help us get through this," Moore said. "As we continue into uncharted territory, I think it is important to remember that we are all in this together, and with the support of faculty, staff, and our administration, we just have to continue moving forward." 

Aya Yousuf, who served as UNO’s student body president and student regent last year, was on hand for Moore’s swearing in. The two have known each other since their time together on Freshman Leadership Council.

"Jabin has stood out to me as a compassionate leader that always seeks to solve challenges with creative ideas," Yousuf said. "His passion, integrity, patience, and critical thinking are some of the many attributes that will serve him well in his new position as Student Body President and Student Regent. UNO gained another great leader, and through the process I gained a new close friend." 

Yousuf had the difficult task of helping her peers navigate life dominated by COVID-19 before, during, and after UNO’s transition into remote learning mode, and can speak to the challenges that are ahead, as well as the value of unity in overcoming them.

"I personally try to remember that patience and grace goes a long way during challenging times. More than ever, unity and compassion are needed," Yousuf said. "With that, I hope we can remain kind to one another, we are bound to make mistakes through the way, but I hope we can still remain united as we learn and grow together."

Even as the pandemic casts a shadow on the work student leaders need to do, the new representatives are firmly focused on how to improve the student experience once the university transitions out of remote teaching, learning and working mode.

Student Body Vice President Vanessa Chavez Jurado, a sophomore studying elementary education, recalls the last in-person student senate meeting before the virus disrupted student life, calling it a learning opportunity to foster campus collaboration.

"Our last senate meeting prior to the announcement of classes transitioning to remote learning was live on social media and we were able to help students get answers from members of administration themselves," Chavez Jurado said. "This should make us consider how we can continue to ensure students have opportunities such as these once we are back on campus. I think this challenge can encourage us to reflect on our quick response and on how we can grow from here, and do so together."

As for Moore’s priorities, he hopes to focus on parking; diversity; equity and inclusion; and student engagement. He envisions his time as student body president creating a committee within student government that addresses the issues faced by students belonging to marginalized communities. He also wants to launch a campaign that explores ways students can utilize alternatives modes of transportation. Finally, he hopes to kick off an initiative that invites students to be involved in creating change on campus.

Each priority traces back to his campaign’s title of IGNITE: an acronym for "Inspire Growth, Nurture Innovation and Thoroughly Execute.

"We believe we can achieve so much more if we all work together," Moore said. "We created the hashtag #BYOF, which stands for ‘Bring Your Own Fire,’ because we understand real change can only come from all students working together to ignite campus.


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 (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

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

News Sections

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

Featured Stories

Related Resources

  • UNO Student Government

Contact Us

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

About the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications (MarComm)

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
  • The Maverick Store
  • 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
  • ©  
  • 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.