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Part-time Faculty Newsletter | January 2026

Black-and-white image of a clock tower framed by trees, with vertical black bars cutting through the image. The background is a geometric gray pattern.

        A focused newsletter for UNO 

Part-time Faculty

This Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) newsletter includes:

  • Upcoming Opportunities – a curated list of professional development for part-time faculty
  • Teaching Tips – resources to help you in the classroom
  • Student Services Spotlight – information to help you support students
  • UNO: Did You Know – an interesting tidbit about UNO
2022-c-schaffer

Dr. Connie Schaffer

Director, UNO Center for Faculty Excellence
Professor, Teacher Education Department

Upcoming opportunities

Teaching Observations

Earn $300 by engaging in structured teaching observations/reviews. Participants will identify or request a faculty partner outside of their department/school. Each will observe their partner’s in-person or synchronous classes or review an asynchronous online course.

 

Community Engagement Roundtable

January 28, noon to 1 P.M.: Virtual. No registration required.

Creating Lasting Partnerships for Maximum Impact with Becky Brusky, Mathematical & Statistical Sciences

 

10-day Writing Challenge

February 2 to 13 (M-F)

Asynchronous virtual writing challenge: each day, record a writing goal, devote an hour of your choosing to work toward that goal, and log a brief progress update. Open to full- and part-time faculty, staff, and graduate students.

 

 

Improving the Accessibility of Your Canvas Course

Improve the accessibility of your Canvas courses. Explore why accessibility matters, what areas to prioritize, and how to evaluate your course for compliance and usability. The 6-week course is asynchronous but not self-paced, with rolling start dates and an expected commitment of 3–5 hours per week. Faculty who complete all requirements are eligible for a $300 stipend.

 

📅Plan ahead

Nebraska Women in STEM Conference

March 26 and 27, Embassy Suites LaVista Conference Center

An opportunity to develop your personal and professional identity, build networks of support to achieve your goals, and have a great time. Reserve your spot through the Women in STEM registration site. 

Teaching Tips

Read these one-page resources created by UNO faculty to help get your semester off to a great start.

  • Practical advice on how to build relationships with students – Dr. Vicki Lentfer
  • Bringing passion to your teaching – Dr. Mahima Saxena
  • Interacting with students – Dr. Connie Schaffer
  • Loving your lecture – Dr. Ashley Harlow
  • Debunking the myths of learning styles – Dr. Nicole Infante

      Student Services Spotlight

       

      According to a Gallup poll, college graduates who visit campus career centers are more likely to obtain full-time jobs than their peers who do not use this service, and they also find their jobs more fulfilling.

       

      The UNO Career Center offers resume development, practice interviews, employer connections, Handshake (an online jobs database), and career fairs. Encourage your students to access these services and attend the spring career fairs.

      • Spring 26 Technology Career & Internship Fair: February 16, 10 A.M.to 2 P.M.
      • Spring 26 All Majors Career & Internship Fair: February 24 & 25,10 A.M. to 2 P.M.

      UNO- Did You Know

      UNO contributes to Omaha’s arts and entertainment scene in many ways. UNO is home to KVNO, Omaha’s only classical music station, and also offers high-quality, affordable performances, concerts, and exhibits throughout the year. You can also have a great night out cheering on one of UNO’s athletic teams.

       

      Upcoming exhibits, productions, and concerts

      • Golden: UNO Printshop 50th Anniversary: opens January 20, UNO Art Gallery, Weber Fine Arts Building
      • Thomas Majeski’s Ashland Series Exhibit: opens January 20, Osborne Family Gallery, Criss Library
      • Justice and Hope Exhibit: opens January 21; Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
      • Little Women: runs February 26 to March 9 (shows often sell out – book tickets early)
      • 54th Annual Great Plains Jazz Festival: February 27 & 28, Holland Center in downtown Omaha

      Upcoming home games at Baxter – Go Mavs!

      • Hockey: January 9 and 10 (St. Cloud), January 23 and 24 (Colorado College), and February 13 and 14 (Denver)
      • Women’s basketball: January 15 (St. Thomas), January 22 (SDSU), and January 31 (Kansas City)
      • Men’s basketball: January 21 (USD), January 28 (SDSU), and February 12 (St. Thomas)

      University of Nebraska at Omaha, Center for Faculty Excellence, 6401 University Dr, Criss Library 320, Omaha, NE 68132, unocfe@unomaha.edu

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