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Alisha Olson Earns Board of Regents Kudos Award

Olson was recognized by colleagues for her outstanding support of student success and her commitment to strengthening social work education through community partnerships.

  • published: 2025/04/23
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Pictured: (Back row) Ellen Rice, Assistant Director; Susan Reay, Director of the Grace Abbott School of Social Work; Justin Olson, recipient's husband; Kersten Borer, Instructor; University of Nebraska (NU) System President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.; Konnie Kirchner, Field Practicum Coordinator; Henry D'Souza, Graduate Program Chair; Michelle Manning, Field Practicum Specialist; (Front row) Theori Kenny, Field Practicum Specialist; UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA; Alisha Olson, recipient; Regent Adidam; Katie Robbins, Senior Outreach Coordinator; and Meghan Witte, Graduate Assistant.

Pictured: (Back row) Ellen Rice, Assistant Director; Susan Reay, Director of the Grace Abbott School of Social Work; Justin Olson, recipient's husband; Kersten Borer, Instructor; University of Nebraska (NU) System President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.; Konnie Kirchner, Field Practicum Coordinator; Henry D'Souza, Graduate Program Chair; Michelle Manning, Field Practicum Specialist; (Front row) Theori Kenny, Field Practicum Specialist; UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA; Alisha Olson, recipient; Regent Adidam; Katie Robbins, Senior Outreach Coordinator; and Meghan Witte, Graduate Assistant.

At their April meeting, the University of Nebraska (NU) System Board of Regents presented Alisha Olson, Senior Practicum Specialist for the Grace Abbott School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), with a Kudos Award for her outstanding support of student success and her commitment to strengthening social work education through community partnerships.

Katie Robbins, Senior Outreach Coordinator in UNO’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work, says that “Alisha works with social work students preparing for the practicum experiences. She is dedicated to ensuring students are receiving great field education and is often creative and flexible in finding unique ways to meet student needs.”

Alisha is committed to the community by partnering with agencies willing to support student learning through practicum.

Robbins said that “Alisha offers education, guidance, and support to the field supervisors, and is available to answer questions or navigate tricky situations. Having high-quality and well-trained social workers enter the workforce is a priority, and Alisha's tireless work with students and agencies is a key contributor to achieving that goal.”

Alisha is always seeking ways to enhance the practicum program.

“With new technology and unique student needs, Alisha has continued to update the online Canvas lab course most students take to accompany their practicum experience. If something doesn't exist that a student may benefit from, Alisha is not shy about researching or figuring out how to incorporate innovative solutions," Robbins explained.

In presenting the Board of Regents KUDOS award to Olson, UNO Student Body President/Regent Ishani Adidam thanked Alisha for her dedication to UNO.

Congratulations, Alisha!

Kudos Award Nominations
The University of Nebraska Kudos award recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding employees and is presented six times a year during NU Board of Regents meetings. Do you want to submit a nominee for KUDOS? Use the People Are Everything software by clicking on the tile in Firefly under Self Service.