Maverick Flex Path has officially launched, marking a major milestone for the UNO+CBE Champion Project and a significant advancement in the university’s expansion of flexible, workforce-aligned graduate education.
This milestone represents the culmination of 18 months of coordinated, cross-campus work and the contributions of over 100 colleagues across UNO. From initial program design and faculty engagement to the development of academic, operational, and student support infrastructure, Maverick Flex Path reflects a deeply collaborative effort shaped in partnership with national leaders, including the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN).
As we celebrate this achievement, this issue also marks the final edition of the UNO+CBE Champion Newsletter. With the launch of Maverick Flex Path, this work transitions from a coordinated project effort to an integrated, ongoing part of UNO’s academic and operational landscape.
Thank you for your partnership, leadership, and contributions in bringing Maverick Flex Path to life and positioning UNO for continued academic innovation!
📣 HLC Approval Advances Competency-Based Education at UNO
The University of Nebraska at Omaha has reached an important institutional milestone, receiving approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer its first competency-based education program, the Graduate Certificate in Executive Business, through the College of Business Administration.
Now launched as part of Maverick Flex Path, this program represents a strategic expansion of UNO’s academic portfolio, advancing flexible, workforce-aligned graduate education while maintaining the rigor and integrity of the university’s academic enterprise. The model reflects a structured approach to competency-based education, with clearly defined competencies, aligned assessment, and meaningful faculty engagement.
👉 In approving, HLC affirmed that UNO’s model meets accreditation expectations and aligns with institutional standards. Building on this progress, UNO has submitted its second competency-based program application to HLC, which is currently under review.
This milestone reflects sustained, cross-campus collaboration, with leadership from the Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI) and strong partnership across academic and operational units, including the Center for Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development (CCSW).
Signals from the Field: Rethinking Workforce Pathways Through CBE
Recent national conversations continue to reinforce the direction of competency-based education and its role in shaping future workforce pathways.
A Chronicle of Higher Education feature highlights how institutions are partnering directly with employers to design programs around clearly defined, workforce-relevant competencies, emphasizing the importance of holistic, program-level design rather than course-by-course adaptation.
These themes are echoed at the national level. In a recent update, Higher Learning Commission (HLC) President, Barbara Gellman-Danley, reflected on her visit to UNO and emphasized a broader shift across higher education, noting that “accreditation does not stifle innovation” and reaffirming HLC’s commitment to supporting new, flexible models of learning.
At UNO’s inaugural Catalyst Conversation, national higher education leaders further reinforced this trajectory. As noted by HLC President, Barbara Gellman-Danley, during the panel, “the future of the degree lies in shorter, competency-based models that prioritize demonstrated learning over time,” highlighting the growing importance of skills-based, workforce-aligned education.
The final phase of the UNO+CBE Champion Project focused on translating design into fully operational systems and structures to support Maverick Flex Path.
Through this work, UNO established the academic, operational, and student support infrastructure required to deliver competency-based education at scale—including aligned systems for enrollment, registration, faculty engagement, and learner support.
With HLC approval secured and full end-to-end system validation nearly complete, Maverick Flex Path has successfully transitioned from development to launch, with coordinated marketing, recruitment, and student support processes now in place for Fall 2026 and beyond.
Maverick Flex Path Inaugural Program Portfolio
Maverick Flex Path launches with its inaugural program, the Graduate Certificate in Executive Business (CBA), approved by the Higher Learning Commission and scheduled to begin in Fall 2026.
Additional programs are in development as part of the Maverick Flex Path portfolio, with planned expansion beginning in Fall 2027, pending HLC approval:
Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology Leadership (CEHHS)
M.S. in Elementary Education with Concentration in ITL (CEHHS)
M.S. in Secondary Education with Concentration in ITL (CEHHS)
This phased approach reflects UNO’s commitment to building a high-quality, scalable, competency-based education model, launching with an approved program while continuing to expand a cross-college portfolio aligned with workforce needs and adult learner demand.
Engaging the National CBE Community
As Maverick Flex Path launches, UNO is well positioned to engage more actively in national conversations shaping the future of competency-based education.
Hosted by the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN), CBExchange brings together institutions from across the country to share innovations, lessons learned, and emerging practices in CBE.
For UNO faculty and staff involved in Maverick Flex Path, the conference offers an opportunity to connect with peers, contribute insights from our work, and continue advancing high-quality, workforce-aligned learning models.
📅 September 30th - October 3rd, 2026 📍 The Walt Disney World Resort, FL
Steering Committee: From Project Governance to Institutional Implementation
With the launch of Maverick Flex Path, the Steering Committee has concluded its work, marking the transition from coordinated project governance to ongoing institutional implementation.
Over the course of the initiative, the Steering Committee played a central role in guiding strategy, ensuring alignment with accreditation requirements, and establishing the foundation for long-term sustainability.
Through this work, UNO has defined a clear operating model for Maverick Flex Path, including an approved learning model, a standard academic calendar structure, and a course- and credit-based CBE approach aligned with federal and accreditation expectations.
The committee also affirmed key elements of the institutional model, including the designation of the Center for Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development (CCSW) as the coordinating unit for shared services, while academic programs remain anchored within their respective colleges.
In addition, policy frameworks supporting Maverick Flex Path, including Faculty Senate–approved policy addenda, have been established, along with a defined approach to marketing, enrollment, and student support.
As Maverick Flex Path moves forward, governance will transition to ongoing institutional structures, including a CCSW Advisory Council, ensuring continued alignment, performance monitoring, and strategic growth.
Cross-Functional Workgroups: Building the Maverick Flex Path Model
The UNO+CBE Champion Project was driven by five cross-functional workgroups, each contributing to the design and implementation of the Maverick Flex Path model. Together, these teams established the academic, operational, and student support systems that now enable competency-based education at UNO.
Academic: Established the academic framework for CBE, including competency design, course structure, faculty onboarding, and a comprehensive approach to credit for prior learning and student progression.
Operations: Developed the systems and processes supporting enrollment, registration, billing, and data integration, ensuring a seamless end-to-end learner experience across institutional platforms.
Finance & HR: Designed the financial and tuition models supporting Maverick Flex Path 1.0, while continuing to develop a long-term sustainability approach aligned with institutional priorities and the strategic plan.
Student Affairs & Services: Built a high-touch, student-centered support model, including onboarding, coaching, and coordinated communication strategies tailored to adult learners.
Marketing & Communications: Developed and launched the Maverick Flex Path brand, messaging strategy, and recruitment campaign, establishing a strong foundation for learner engagement and enrollment growth.
Together, this work reflects a coordinated, institution-wide effort to design and implement a scalable, high-quality competency-based education model aligned with workforce needs and learner expectations.
For more information, explore the following resource links:
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