The CPACS Collective

Your best source of news, the latest happenings, and exciting collaborations happening in the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service.

Welcome from the Associate Dean of CPACS, Dr. Theresa Barron-McKeagney

As we prepare for a return to campus in fall, in forward looking anticipation to seeing our outstanding CPACS students, faculty, and staff after the historical pandemic, we should also look back in time as we prepare for CPACS 50th Anniversary and why this college was formed. In 1973, the University of Nebraska at Omaha created the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. Urban Omaha community leaders proposed a college dedicated to solution-oriented programs that could respond to the continued civil unrest and social injustices exposed by the Civil Rights Movement. UNO was compelled to act and created CPACS. Nothing changes without pressure, and the community pressured a public-funded institution to respond.

The current vision and mission of CPACS includes using inspirational methods aimed at creating an equitable and just society. As our country attempts to respond to critical issues, such as institutional racism, inequity, and prejudice, the CPACS' vision and mission has never been more meaningful and so critically needed. We empower students, faculty, staff, and community partners to take action to expose and dismantle inequities through teaching, research, and service.

The CPACS Collective includes several outstanding narratives highlighting how the college continues to meet these challenges that currently face our society much like 50 years ago. I would like to believe that our historical urban community partners from 50 years ago who demanded that UNO create such a college like CPACS, would be proud to see that CPACS did respond, and is true to the mandate to develop leadership in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Theresa Barron-McKeagney

Associate Dean, College of Public Affairs and Community Service

(MSW Graduate, UNO School of Social Work)

CPACS News

Students, Faculty Earn Fulbright Awards

Two students, including one alumna, and three faculty, all from CPACS, are the latest Mavericks to receive the prestigious, international designation.

CPAR: Making an Impact

This month’s Impact Statement shows how the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) leverages data to help all Nebraskans make informed decisions that improve the lives of their families, their neighbors, and the world around them.

2021 CPACS Alumni Award Honorees Announced

This year's CPACS Alumni Awardees are diverse, civic-minded, and revolutionary to the field of public service.

UNO One of Four Campuses to Launching Innovative Public Service Program

Led by the UNO School of Public Administration, the Next Generation Service Partnership allows all undergraduate students to align their major with the public service sector.

2020-2021 CPACS Annual Report Now Live

The CPACS Annual Report for the 2020-2021 academic year is now live, and it's simply a must-read.

Access the Experts: Teresa Kulig

Access the Experts is an innovative partnership between UNO and News Channel Nebraska (NCN), where viewers submit their questions to be answered by UNO faculty members. Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Teresa Kulig, Ph.D., answers the question: “What can be done to stop sex trafficking?”

Nebraska Data Users Conference Series

In 2021, the Center for Public Affairs Research, will present its annual Nebraska Data Users Conference as a series of four virtual sessions held on the fourth Thursday of alternating months beginning in April. The fee is $40 to attend live sessions and have access to recordings; or $30 for access to recordings only.

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