If you listen closely, Omaha’s rhythm is speeding up every day. And, Mavericks, it’s an exciting time to be here in the heart of the city where we can feel that pulse and keep up with it.
I am so proud to be a Maverick when I see the amazing work across the campus. This month has been one for the record books, where our athletic programs like our Summit League championship-winning women’s soccer team are competing at the top tiers in their sports, at the same time that we are also celebrating record-breaking research funding. Where we are building up career pipelines to the aviation industry, and where we are rallying a community behind such a forward-thinking capital campaign. I would expect no less of an urban metropolitan campus: truly we are keeping pace with the city.
What is true about rhythm is also true about our recent successes: it all builds upon itself. What we are building toward at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is a future where we are addressing the needs of our community and improving the quality of life for people in Omaha and across the state.
This month’s newsletter is full of such stories that will let you tap into that rhythm driving our university forward – the following stories help showcase what makes UNO a leading urban metropolitan institution.
Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA UNO Chancellor
A Commitment to Student-Focused Support
Earlier this year, Omaha native Ana Bellinghausen completed her a degree in journalism; but she didn't do it alone. Thanks to scholarship opportunities that helped cover a majority of her educational costs, she was able to participate in opportunities like covering multiple Olympic trials and launching the UNO "Women in Media" club, which in turn helped her secure a job with Omaha-based Hurrdat Media that has helped jump start her career.
The fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics aren't just some of the most in-demand career fields today, they are also the fields where the next big life-changing break through will come from. That is what motivated Brandon Villanueva-Sanchez, the first in his family to pursue a four-year degree, to come to UNO and pursue a degree in neuroscience.
Without our faculty there is truly no UNO. And it is only through commitment to supporting our faculty that our students and our community can benefit from their contributions. Last month we recognized and celebrated faculty like Dr. Betty Love, whose innovative approaches to teaching have helped thousands of students tackle and overcome the often daunting subjects of mathematics and statistics that otherwise could have become hurdles to completing their educational journey.
It was in 1997 that Ni (Phil) He became one of UNO's very first doctoral students, earning his Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice. An international student trying to pursue his dreams in the United States, it was our Maverick community that allowed him to find a home away from home. Today, we are proud to welcome Dr. He home as our next Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs as he continues his Maverick story.
The Omaha World-Herald reported on the University of Nebraska Foundation’s “Only in Nebraska” campaign which seeks to raise $3 billion across all NU System campuses. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA was interviewed for the piece to share about UNO’s fundraising goals, particularly scholarships. KETV also published a similar report.
Nebraska Public Media spoke with George Grispos, Ph.D., assistant professor of cybersecurity at UNO, about vulnerabilities and cyber threats potentially impacting agriculture in Nebraska.
KMTV, KETV, and WOWT, and the Omaha World Herald reported on UNO becoming an Aviate partner institution with United Airlines, providing students with a direct path from UNO to the United flight deck. In the OWH article, Becky Lutte, Ph.D., associate professor of aviation, called the program a win-win for students and the aviation industry in general, noting that 15% of UNO’s flight students are women (about 3x the airline share of 5%).
The Omaha World-Herald shared an op-ed co-authored by Nebraska's Director of Economic Development Tony Goins, and UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, titled "Midlands Voices: Investing in education is an investment in ourselves and our state."
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