The first quarter of 2025 was a foundation-setting sprint: workgroups made major decisions about CBE delivery models and structure, and began inaugural program planning. UNO affirmed it will pursue course- and credit-based CBE, delivered in a hybrid format. With Q2 underway, teams are now deep into design and planning—including IT systems audits, learner personas, marketing research, and academic program proposals​.
🔍 Want a visual snapshot of what’s been accomplished and what’s next?
The UNO+CBE Champion Project: a groundbreaking initiative designed to build the vital infrastructure needed to support academic programs in offering CBE degree pathways. In collaboration with the Competency-based Education Network (C-BEN), we are leveraging national expertise to establish and sustain CBE at UNO. This ambitious project unites 65 dedicated champions from across our campus, organized into five specialized workgroups and a strategic steering committee. Together, they are crafting innovative recommendations to drive our mission forward.
CBE enhances our current student experience and programming at UNO by introducing an innovative learning pathway.
It empowers us to connect with students we might not be reaching or serving to our fullest potential.
Driven by our dedicated faculty, CBE programs are thoughtfully designed and crafted by the esteemed educators at UNO.
CBExchange 2025: Wrangling Skills in this Wild, Wild West Environment
CBExchange, the premier conference on CBE, is coming up! This large-scale conference is a carefully curated experience to advance competency-based education and skills-first practices with sessions particularly tailored to postsecondary curriculum and learning design.
Dr. Ryan Specht-Boardman, our embedded Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) consultant will be on campus hosting open office hours!
🗓️ April 25, 2025
đź“Ť EAB 110 A
⏰ 2-3 PM
Stop by and ask questions - we'd love to hear from you!
The Steering Committee continues to shape the strategic direction of CBE at UNO, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and national best practices. Below are the latest decisions and updates from the most recent meeting.
Update: At its March 31 meeting, the Steering Committee continued shaping the emerging strategy for CBE at UNO. While the strategy statement is still evolving and in draft form, the group reviewed three initial options. Option 3, which emphasizes learner-driven and flexible education, resonated most strongly and is currently guiding ongoing refinement:
Draft Strategy Statement (Option 3): Your Learning, Your Pace, Your Future UNO+CBE delivers student-driven, flexible education that ensures every learner gains the skills and credentials needed to thrive in the workforce and beyond.
The committee also reviewed a list of potential core values to guide program design and communications. Key themes under consideration include:
Flexibility, Agility, and Personalization (likely to be combined into one concept)
Skills-Based Learning and Career Relevance
Transferability—supporting smooth movement in and out of programs
The centrality of Time—a key benefit of CBE models
A proposed shift away from “Access,” given UNO’s existing open-enrollment status and similar message already existing in our online learning space
In parallel, the committee identified UNO’s strategic differentiators—the areas where CBE at UNO can stand out both locally and nationally:
Affordability & ROI as a public university
Career relevance through workforce integration and employer partnerships
Skills-based learning with digital credentials and badging
Transfer-friendly pathways that prioritize flexibility and mobility
These conversations will continue to evolve throughout Q2.
âś… Working Decisions
UNO will pursue course and credit-based CBE (not direct assessment)
Programs will follow a hybrid delivery model (online-first, with in-person elements as needed)
CSW Hub will serve as the administrative home for CBE programs
Academic homes will remain in their respective colleges
The Champion Newsletter and Monday.com will be used to communicate and track decisions
Below you will find key updates from each workgroup. These updates summarize the most important discussions and progress across committees, ensuring all CBE Champions are aligned with developments from other groups. Q2 is the decide and design phase of our project.
Next Meeting: April 10 Update: The group finalized a proposal template for academic departments and received a draft proposal for a graduate certificate from the College of Business Administration (CBA). The team is currently accepting additional program proposals.
Next Meeting: April 11 Update: The team is working on a comprehensive IT systems audit, identifying key platforms that will need modifications for CBE implementation​ while coordinating with NeSIS leadership on future system needs. They are also researching FSA academic calendar options, including standard, non-standard, and subscription-based models. The goal is to determine the best fit for UNO while ensuring financial aid compliance​.
Q2 Priorities:
Finalize a recommendation on the FSA academic calendar in Q2
Next Meeting: April 8 Update: The finance team has confirmed that the initial CBE program launch is covered under the CSW Hub budget, meaning no additional funding is needed at this time. The group is setting long-term financial sustainability goals, with a target to become revenue-generating within 3-5 fiscal years after program launch. Long-term modeling aims for sustainability and possible revenue sharing with colleges. A business plan is underway that will guide decisions on resource allocation, breakeven targets, and use of state aid.
Q2 Priorities:
Draft the financial model and budget framework
Refine break-even goals and revenue-sharing considerations
Next Meeting: April 11 Update: The workgroup completed a landscape analysis of existing support structures and has launched a survey to fill in service gaps across campus. They're also drafting learner personas and identifying best practices for adult learner engagement​. Next up, the team will begin developing a learner support model that spans the full student journey.
Q2 Priorities:
Build learner personas
Map a full learner support model
Launch stakeholder survey and gather input on adult learner services
Next Meeting: April 11 Update: The team is researching CBE branding efforts across peer and competitor institutions and developing early concepts for UNO’s CBE name and identity.
Q2 Priorities:
Finalize the internal & external communications plan
Vote on a formal name for UNO’s CBE initiative
Translate strategy into audience-specific messaging
For more information, explore the following resource links:
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