UNO Intersessions: Flexible, Focused, and Designed for Your Success
Building on the success of J-session, where over 90% of student credit hours were delivered online and UNO students reported the format helped fit their schedules and accelerate degree progress, UNO is excited to introduce Intersession courses starting Summer 2026. These short-format offerings are fully online or off-campus and focus on experiential learning, including study abroad, internships, clinical placements, service learning, and more. Intersessions also provide opportunities for students to catch up, get ahead, or enrich their academic journeys outside of degree requirements, while helping students stay on track for 30 credit hours per year. Planning for the first Intersession will begin this fall when course scheduling opens in CLSS for Summer 2026. Visit theUNO Academic Calendarto view upcoming sessions and check out the Intersessions FAQ on the calendar page for more information.
Weitz Proposals
The Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund is open for the third round of applications throughNuRamp. This initiative seeks to inspire faculty and staff to develop and implement new ideas that will propel the campus from good to great. All faculty and staff are eligible to submit applications through NuRamp. A campus advisory committee will evaluate proposals and consider how well the proposal addresses the priorities, whether intercampus or interdisciplinary connections strengthen the proposal, the nature of the needs the proposal addresses, and the likelihood of success.
Detailed information regarding the proposal process and timelines can be found on our Academic Affairs Initiatives website. This round of applications is due January 16, 2026.
Academic Administrator Training
Academic Administrator Training (AAT) is returning for 2025-26 with new and refreshed topics such as media relations, strategic planning, and VisionSync. Intended to provide assistant/associate deans, C/Ds, and others with information on campus policies, processes, and resources available to support academic leadership, AAT relies on case-based scenarios to facilitate active learning and problem solving, and focuses on both increasing policy and process knowledge as well as skill development. Questions? ContactConnie Schaffer.
Faculty Development Fellowships
FDFs are an opportunity for faculty to focus and reinvigorate their research or creative activity program. Information on the 2026-27 FDF application process will be shared with the colleges in early August. FDF recommendations due to Academic Affairs by October 10, 2025.
Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure
The 2025-26 RPT process kicks off soon for many departments. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, RPT guidelines must be reviewed and, if necessary, revised every two years in the fall semester of a new contract. Guidelines in place on August 31st remain in effect for the coming academic year. More information is coming soon in the RPT memo that will be shared in early August.
Help Shape UNO's New General Education Curriculum
UNO’s revised general education curriculum, MavEd, continues to gain momentum across campus, thanks to the leadership and collaboration of faculty and staff in every college. Centered on critical thinking, integrative learning, and intercultural awareness, MavEd is designed to deliver a more coherent and relevant experience for students aligned with UNO’s mission as an urban metropolitan university.
Now is a great time to get involved. Several opportunities are available, all supported by Academic Affairs, the Center for Faculty Excellence, and the Weitz Innovation Fund:
The MavEd Course Design Workshop is currently underway, supporting faculty in redesigning courses around MavEd’s core elements. This 8-week workshop has been offered in Spring and Summer 2025 and returns in September 2025, with additional offerings anticipated in future semesters.
New this fall, faculty and staff can also participate in:
The MavEd Orientation – for those interested in deepening their understanding of the revised curriculum, refining teaching strategies, or exploring new ways to support student success.
The MavEd Innovators Professional Learning Community (PLC) – A collaborative space for faculty to share ideas, pilot innovations, and support one another during the transition.
If you’ve already contributed through a workshop, committee, focus group, or conversation with colleagues – thank you. Your engagement plays an important role in shaping the future of general education at UNO.
Center for Faculty Excellence Annual Report
The Center for Faculty Excellence encourages you to review its2025-26 Annual Report,which highlights the efforts of faculty across the campus.
UNO Coaching Collaborative
The soft launch of the UNO Coaching Collaborative began July 1, with a full launch planned for the fall. Learn more about the free and confidential coaching that is available for full-time faculty and staff on the Coaching Collaborative website.
Young South Asian Leaders Initiative
UNO Center for Afghanistan & Regional Studies, Office of International Programs, will be launching the YSALI (Young South Asian Leaders Initiative) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 17-21. YSALI, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is a prestigious program that aims to create a robust network of connected and empowered young leaders from seven South Asian countries to collaboratively address common challenges. UNO is the lead implementer who will be hosting a series of regional workshops over the next three years in collaboration with colleagues from the East-West Center Honolulu. To view all UNO faculty and staff involved, visit our YSALI website.
Bosnia and Herzegovina BOLD (Balkanski Omladinski Lideri - Balkan Youth Leaders) Civic Engagement Fellowship Program
UNO will be welcoming 10 civic youth leaders from Bosnia & Herzegovina as part of the long-standing BOLD (Balkanski omladinski lideri - Balkan Youth Leaders) Civic Engagement Fellowship Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia & Herzegovina, UNO has implemented the BOLD program focused on developing a robust network of young leaders in the Balkans who can create innovative solutions to civic engagement issues in their communities and develop bonds between the youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the U.S. UNO has implemented BOLD since 2019 under the leadership of honorary UNO Political Science professor, Dr. Lana Obradovic.
Engaged & Empowered: A Civic Workshop Series
The Engaged & Empowered workshop series launches this fall to build civic knowledge, leadership skills, and pathways to action. Held monthly on the second Tuesday from 11 A.M. to Noon, sessions are open to all in partnership with UNO’s Office of Engagement, Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center and Civic Nebraska. Browse the Office of Engagement online calendar.
September 9, 2025 – How to Navigate the NE Legislature
October 14, 2025 – Voting Rights in Nebraska
November 11, 2025 – Civil Discourse (Purple Screening)
December 9, 2025 – Joining a City/County Board or Commission
February 10, 2026 – Community Actions: Canvassing & Phone Banking
March 10, 2026 – The Power of Storytelling and Media in Creating Change
April 14, 2026 – How to Contact Your Elected Officials
Encourage Your Students to Give Back in Just 60 Minutes!
Hosted by UNO’s Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs, these events connect students with local organizations for just one hour of hands-on volunteering. Snacks are provided. Events take place on the first Wednesday of every month, starting in September, from Noon to 1 PM. Browse the Office of Engagement online calendar.
As a UNO faculty member, you have access to MaxQDA software, a qualitative data analysis software. Please contact your College IT Director for more information about MaxQDA software or to request a MaxQDA license installed on your University computer.
August 13: Assistant and Associate Deans and Vice Chancellors Meeting
August 13:Academic Administrator Training - Kickoff with Dr. W. Benjamin Myers
August 18:New Faculty Welcome - Deans and academic leaders are invited to help welcome new full-time faculty and their families at a Thompson Alumni Center picnic.
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.
University of Nebraska at Omaha, Academic Affairs, 6001 University Dr., Eppley Administration Building 202, Omaha, NE 68182, 402.554.2262, academic.affairs@unomaha.edu
