This month is truly a landmark for so much of what ensures higher education is accessible to so many. June marks the 50th anniversary of Pell Grant availability to students as well as the 50 years since the introduction of Title IX, ensuring everyone has access to higher education and the opportunities that entails. These are also our Maverick values and the foundation on which UNO is able to serve our students.
I am also celebrating a personal landmark at the end of this month: my first year as your chancellor. As I reflect on what we've already accomplished, I know it has been because we stand upon the shoulders of the Mavericks of the past who fought for affordability, access, and equity in education.
This year has been filled with challenges, yes, but also great opportunities. Thank you for the tremendous opportunity to represent such an amazing and passionate university. I hope my second year is even better than this one has, and with such talented, dedicated Mavericks on campus, I have no doubt it will be.
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Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA UNO Chancellor
Celebrating My First Year as a Maverick
Thank you, everyone, for making this last year so fun, rewarding, and inspirational! Here's to many more years of success to come!
UNO News and Headlines
Just because it's summer doesn't mean our Maverick Spirit takes a break. In fact, our students, faculty, and staff have been hard at work doing amazing work on our campus and throughout our community:
The College World Series has been one of Omaha’s crowning achievements for more than 70 years. From nearly the beginning, UNO has had a part in making this important event a success. Whether it's MavRadio students providing play-by-play, Maverick Park serving as a practice field for the competing teams, or being the subject of a viral sensation with our mascot, Durango, when the City of Omaha takes its place on the world stage there is no question that Omaha's university will be there.
There are certain things that can only be learned through lived experience. Internship opportunities provided by our community partners provide access to those opportunities. Just one recent example? This summer, thanks to the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI), three Mavericks will work alongside members of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) to help defend against threats to our national security.
Mavericks are innovators. There is no question the next generation of students require educators who are willing to think outside of the box. At UNO, we celebrate those faculty and instructors who can push the boundaries and look beyond how things have always been done to help us understand where we need to be going next.
Being a Maverick means that in times of need you are willing to quickly step up and take action. Nowhere was that more apparent than recent outstanding efforts taken by our Environmental Services and Public Safety staff, who stepped up and helped protect irreplaceable archival items after recent storm surges threatened materials in the Criss Library.
The arts are a vital aspect of any community and UNO is committed to fostering these creative outlets. Not only are we welcoming the return of city tradition in Shakespeare on the Green, featuring the work of our own faculty and alumni, but we are also introducing our Summer Musical Theatre Academy, a partnership between local high schools and UNO, to inspire the next generation of creators and performers. You can catch these amazing talents performing a rendition of “Fame: The Musical” this weekend.
Inside Higher Ed published a look at how UNO’s Exploratory Studies program supports students who have not yet declared a major and helps them move to the next stage in their college career.
KETV showcased how UNO’s Pitching Lab takes a holistic view of how baseball pitchers throw, helping them improve their motions, avoid injury, and ultimately find success on baseball’s biggest stages.
KPTM interviewed Cynthia Robinson, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Black Studies at UNO, who helped set the stage regarding the history leading up to recent community Juneteenth celebrations held at the Malcolm X Foundation Memorial.
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.
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