Years ago I began my academic journey thousands of miles away from Omaha, with me preparing to leave the only home I had ever known to pursue a higher education in the United States.
As a first-generation and international student, I knew the path ahead would not be easy, and I might lack things that I would need. But what I did have was a dream. Little did I know back then that not only would I achieve my own dream, but I would have the tremendous fortune to be in a position to then also help make others' dreams come true as well.
I am able to write to you today as UNO Chancellor because leaders like Daniel Jenkins, who founded Omaha University on Oct. 8, 1908. He also had a dream - and he dreamed daringly - of a future where anyone, regardless of background, could receive transformational opportunity of a higher education. What Jenkins began was carried forward in the vision of future leaders like Milo Bail, Ronald Roskens, Del Weber, John Christensen, and Jeff Gold, whose dreams helped UNO grow from its humble beginnings of 26 students in a single building located in North Omaha to more than 15,000 students we serve today through access to a city-wide campus full of countless opportunities.
At our core, the Maverick mission is and has always been to serve our students and, in doing so, serve our community. And, just like the young international student arriving from Hong Kong, the only limit to our potential is the willingness to which we are willing to invest and commit to what's possible.
We do this because we are building a future that begins today, and that is why we, as Mavericks, must continue to dream daringly.
Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA UNO Chancellor
Mavericks Invest in Tomorrow Today
We know that there is a great need in our state - and around the country - to address workforce shortages across businesses, mission-driven institutions, and civic organizations. As the aviation and aerospace industries face a massive need for workers, UNO's Aviation Institute has positioned itself as a national leader who is not just meeting the need, but shattering preconceived notions of what the future of flight looks like.
Service to our community doesn't just provide a positive impact, it builds leadership skills that today's employers are looking for. Last year we launched our Community Engaged Scholars designation to help our students leverage their service learning and volunteer experiences into career builders.
There are students who, for any variety of reasons, may not see themselves as 'qualified' for higher education. Thirty years ago one of those students was Troy Romero; today he is director of UNO's Goodrich Scholarship Program - the same learning community that shaped his life and has shaped the live of thousands of students for 50 years.
UNO has more than 120,000 active alumni around the world. As we celebrate our upcoming Homecoming celebrations next week, we also celebrate the contributions those alumni are making across a variety of fields and industries today. The Maverick mission, and our investment in our students, is evidenced by their success. Look for more alumni stories throughout October.
UNO’s CADRE Project is preparing teachers for long-term success in the classroom. Chris Wilcoxen, director of the CADRE Project, and several students discussed the program with KETV.
Increasing absences among students have impacted teachers and learning objectives. Anne Hobbs, director of UNO’s Juvenile Justice Institute, spoke to the Flatwater Free Press about how these impacts are felt more intensely by low-income families.
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 Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182, United States, 402.554.2800
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