UNO Joins Business-Higher Education Forum

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is the newest member of the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF), connecting Mavericks to a national network that brings together higher education and business leaders to co-develop the pathways and programs that will help students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce.

What’s new: As BHEF members, UNO will be at the forefront of addressing some of the nation’s top workforce development challenges alongside Fortune 500 companies, top universities, and visionary leaders in talent development. View a complete list of BHEF network partners.

Why it matters: For current and future Mavericks, BHEF membership means another bridge between what students learn and what employers need. By working directly with national business and higher education leaders, UNO can gain earlier insight into emerging skills and workforce trends, strengthen industry-aligned learning, and expand approaches that give students meaningful experience before they graduate.

What they’re saying:

• UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA: “By joining the Business-Higher Education Forum, UNO is doubling down on our commitment to give every Maverick a competitive edge in an evolving workforce. We are working alongside employers and higher education leaders to ensure our students graduate with the skills and real-world experiences to step into high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage careers. We are also sending a clear message to employers across the country: If you want talented people who are ready to get to work, Omaha is where you want to be.”
• BHEF CEO Kristen Fox: “We are thrilled to welcome the University of Nebraska at Omaha to the Business-Higher Education Forum. UNO’s deep commitment to its students, proud history of community engagement, and relentless focus on workforce and economic development make it a natural fit for our network. We look forward to bringing UNO’s experience and perspective into our national network of senior executives at the forefront of innovative solutions that bridge learning and work, and who are building pathways that will prepare more learners for high-demand opportunities while meeting employers’ talent needs.”

How it works: BHEF’s national network turns ideas about the future of work into practical solutions for students, universities, and employers. Its model includes:

• Network: BHEF convenes business and higher education leaders to identify emerging talent needs, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions.
• Solutions Lab: BHEF helps members pilot, implement, and scale programs that connect learning and work, including industry-aligned academic pathways, experiential learning, and regional workforce initiatives.
• Public thought leadership: BHEF turns lessons from its network into research, tools, case studies, and other resources that can help advance innovation in education and workforce development nationwide.

What’s next: UNO faculty, staff, and university leaders will have opportunities to engage with BHEF’s network through network partner meetings, roundtables, research, and collaborative initiatives.