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Start Strong, Mavericks!

Be Curious. Be a Maverick.

  • published: 2025/08/25
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA.

University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA.

UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, shared the following message with UNO students, faculty, and staff on Monday, Aug. 25.


Mavericks,

The first day of classes is one of my favorite moments of the year. You can feel an energy in the air today that reminds us why we chose UNO as our destination.

Whether you’re stepping into a UNO classroom for the first time or returning to campus today, thank you for being part of this community.

This year, I challenge each of us as students, faculty, and staff to stay curious.

Ask bold questions. Share what you know. Explore what you don’t. That’s how Mavericks grow, and how we live our mission: transforming lives through education, research, and service.

I want you step into today with the confidence of knowing this entire campus community is committed to your lifelong success.

Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and changing lives on our campus and beyond.

(And by the way! If you see Durango on campus this week, make sure to thank him for all of his hard work over the summer!)

Go Mavs!

Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA

UNO Chancellor


About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). 

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