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UNO’s Strategic Investment: Social Justice, Inequality, Race, and Class

The UNO Strategic Plan is informed by its Mission, Vision, and Values, in particular inclusive excellence. In Spring 2021, a committed to the topics of Social Justice, Inequality, Race, and Class in our society was announced.

As vividly demonstrated by the disparities in health outcomes during the COVID-19 and by the regional and national events, now more than ever UNO must remain committed as part of its Strategic Plan to be an academic partner to our community in effecting positive change, whether through community engagement, supporting our students, translational research that changes the national discourse, or positive high impact experiences in Omaha and beyond.

Funding Announced

After a call for proposals to support the Strategic Investment and elevate issues of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion, and after a robust review process involving campus and community constituencies - a total of 9 initiatives (10 proposals) were funded.

Watch the opening remarks by Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Sacha Kopp and Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion Cecil Hicks.

Funded 'Building a Pipeline' Proposals

African American Males: A Pipeline to Professionalism

Contacts: Barbara Hewins-Maroney and Omar Correa

Minority Mentorship Program

Contact: Herb Thompson III

College of Business Administration Prep Academy Program

Contact: Destynie Sewell

Funded 'Community Engagement' Proposals

Race, Religion, and Social Justice

Contact: Paul Williams

Creating Playful, Inclusive Equitable Communities for Everyone

Contact: Debora Wisneski

First Generation Parents Group

Contacts: Barbara Hewins-Maroney and Omar Correa

Funded 'Telling Our Story' Proposals

Addressing Redlining through Community Engagement and Omaha Spatial Justice

This initiative combined two proposals into one impactful initiative.

Contacts: Julie Dierberger and Jeannette Gabriel

Charting our Path - Black Studies at UNO

Contacts: Amy Schindler and Cynthia Robinson

A Collaborative for Addressing Food Injustice

Contact: Dhundy Bastola

Next Steps

For each initiative selected, we will:

  • Form community- and campus-based standing accountability committee
  • Create an evaluation process/templates to:
    ○ Review progress annually, provide guidance for subsequent years
    ○ Prepare annual progress report and campus communications
  • Declare success or discontinuation after 1-5 years (project lengths may vary)
  • Create a sustainability plan within colleges/campus units budgets
  • Incorporate projects into UNO/NU Philanthropic Campaign