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. It is timely to consider the launch of a new commitment throughout our strategic plan, a new and intentional investment at the scale of the Big Ideas, committed to the topics of Social Justice, Inequality, Race, and Class in our society.

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) will be 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.

Next Steps

For each initiative selected, we will:

Incorporate as one or more strategic initiatives in the 2021 and 2022 UNO UNEPlan
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/NUPhilanthropic Campaign

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

Funding Announced

Funded 'Building a Pipeline' Proposals

African American Males: A Pipeline to Professionalism

Minority Mentorship Program

College of Business Administration Prep Academy Program

Funded 'Community Engagement' Proposals

Race, Religion, and Social Justice

Creating Playful, Inclusive Equitable Communities for Everyone

First Generation Parents Group

Funded 'Telling Our Story' Proposals

Addressing Redlining through Community Engagement and Omaha Spatial Justice

Charting our Path - Black Studies at UNO

A Collaborative for Addressing Food Injustice

Next Steps