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UNO Bets on Innovation and Growth at Strategy Forum

UNO leaders discussed financial strategies and new ways to reach potential students.

  • published: 2026/04/30
  • contact: Marlo Larsen - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Chancellor Li, seated between two people, holds notes while speaking into a microphone.

UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, center, answers questions during the Strategy Forum. The University of Nebraska at Omaha Strategy Forum was held at the UNO Thompson Alumni Center on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Omaha, Nebraska. (Ryan Soderlin/UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) faculty and staff gathered on April 27 in the Thompson Alumni Center for the 2026 Strategy Forum hosted by Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, for a transparent conversation about the university's financial strategy and how UNO is meeting the moment through workforce-aligned initiatives.

♟️ Financial Strategies: Successful financial strategies laid out by UNO leadership were celebrated at this year’s forum, including:

💬 Continuing the Catalyst Conversation: Topics, ideas, and innovations discussed at Chancellor Li’s inaugural Catalyst Conversation were continued at this year’s Strategy Forum, such as competency-based education (CBE).

  • UNO recently launched Maverick Flex Path, announcing the first CBE program, with more in the pipeline for fall 2027.
  • “CBE will help us reach students that we haven’t been able to reach before,” said Erin Bass, Ph.D., with the Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives.
  • The First Year Experience program was also discussed and celebrated. Dustin Crichton, Ph.D., director of the Thompson Learning Community (TLC), said the program is seeing a 2.5% increase in retention compared to students not in the program.
  • Panelists also offered insight into how the initiatives connect to VisionSync and the University of Nebraska System’s Strategic Plan.

📚 Reduced credit opportunities were discussed, as Chancellor Li acknowledged that a majority of learners are now non-traditional students.

“We know there is a system challenge for a lot of these learners, and I’m privileged to provide a system solution to these candidates,” she said.

Reduced-credit and competency-based education programs would offer another chance to meet and understand workforce demands and compete in areas where UNO has comparative advantages, Li said.

👩‍💻 Enrollment Strategy: UNO’s enrollment remains strong, said Jason Browning, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success. To continue recruiting and retaining students, the university aims to simplify the student experience and improve responsiveness.

🎙️ Closing Remarks: Chancellor Li closed the Strategy Forum by reinforcing that UNO is a workforce development engine and will continue advancing technology while meeting students where they are.

Li said the university will double down on its successes and continue to make smart business and financial decisions.

“We will see a lot of headwinds, but I will bet on UNO.”

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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