UNO to Launch Center for Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development (CCSW), Erin Bass Named Inaugural Executive Director

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is proud to announce the launch of a new support unit designed to amplify the university's commitment to meeting the evolving demands of the regional and national workforce.

Focus Areas

The Center for Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development (CCSW) will have two key areas of focus:

First, the unit will partner with faculty and departments across campus to continue UNO's exploration and adoption of competency-based education (CBE). Since 2022, the campus has been learning more about CBE, studying where departments and faculty already embrace competency-based pedagogical strategies, and determining where possible expansion makes sense. Feedback from these first few years of piloting indicates that CBE efforts directly support UNO’s mission of providing an accessible, high-quality education that leads to meaningful employment. To be most effective in leading this complex work, the center will champion the adoption of a framework for CBE for the campus, including learning maps that document the relationship among competencies within a domain/field.

Second, the unit will contain a Skills Lab, which will provide support to academic units by regularly organizing and facilitating industry focus groups with diverse stakeholders (employers, human resources leaders, chambers, local consortia, etc.) to provide colleges, departments, and faculty with timely, actionable data that units can use to gain a better understanding of the most in-demand skills and critical knowledge needed in today’s workforce. In addition, the Skills Lab will work to adopt a framework for skills for the campus.

Senior Vice Chancellor Phil He, Ph.D., will serve as Executive Sponsor for this unit, with day-to-day leadership being provided by Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D.

Announcing Erin Bass as Inaugural Executive Director

Erin Bass, Ph.D., a thought leader and dedicated scholar, has been appointed as the inaugural Executive Director of the center. As a true Maverick within both the UNO and the greater Omaha communities, Bass has spent the past decade as a faculty member in the College of Business Administration (CBA) and holds the rank of Professor of Management and the James R. Schumacher Chair of Ethics. In her roles at UNO, she has not only advanced academic excellence but also co-directed several workforce development initiatives, including the university’s highly regarded Capstone Cup and an interdisciplinary project with the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center at UNO.

Bass earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and brings with her a wealth of experience from the energy and non-profit sectors, as well as her strategic consulting work for private, public, and non-profit organizations. A native of Calgary, Canada, she has worked on projects at local, national, and international levels, positioning her as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the Omaha community. Her expertise, vision, and unwavering commitment to workforce development make her an ideal leader for this new initiative, which aims to equip individuals and organizations with the skills needed to thrive in today’s dynamic economy. She will begin serving in this role in January 2025.

Questions or Want to Learn More?

Ask a Question or Get Involved in a Pilot

If academic departments or faculty are interested in learning more about CBE or getting involved in a pilot, please reach out to Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D., at jlindburg@unomaha.edu.

Attend the Future of Work Symposium

On Sept. 24, 2024, UNO will host its next Future of Work Symposium. "A Skills Based Approach for a Future-Ready Workforce" will feature distinguished panelists and a keynote address by Dawn Karber, Director of SkillsFWD. Learn more and RSVP.