We’re in the final month of Quarter 3, the most hands-on phase of the UNO+CBE Champion Project to date. After laying the groundwork in Q2, every workgroup is now building the systems, supports, and strategies that will bring UNO’s CBE vision to life.

 

Top Priorities This Quarter Include:

• Finalizing the learner journey and support model (Student Services/Affairs Workgroup)

• Establishing the faculty model and academic policies (Academic Workgroup)

• Drafting performance indicators and CBE curriculum (Academic Program Teams)

• Building financial aid processes and systems infrastructure (Operations Workgroup)

• Drafting CBE business and tuition model (Finance/HR Workgroup)

• Advancing marketing and branding strategy for launch (Marketing/Communications Workgroup)

As we close out the quarter, thank you for staying all-in. Your work is shaping new opportunities for all learners at UNO.

Fall Drop-In Information Sessions

What’s the difference between Competency-Based Education (CBE) and Competency-Based Learning (CBL)—and why does it matter at UNO?

 

Join us for these virtual drop-in sessions to explore how these two models show up differently across the university—from full program structures to course-level strategies. Whether you’re developing curriculum or redesigning a single class, this session will help clarify where your work fits.

 

✅ Open to faculty and staff
✅ Great for both newcomers and CBE champions
✅ Live Q&A included

July Workshops & Inaugural Program Portfolio

This summer, faculty teams from CEHHS and CBA came together for our second round of CBE Curriculum Development Workshops (July 30–31). With virtual support from Dr. Ryan Specht-Boardman (C-BEN), faculty refined competencies, mapped out learning journeys, and took key steps toward UNO’s first-ever CBE programs.

 

Workshop Highlights:

• Reviewed and revised performance indicators and competency sequencing

• Began drafting Learning Journey Outlines (LJOs) and assessment approaches

• Identified shared policies and technical requirements across programs

• Set the stage for fall and spring course development

Next Steps for Faculty:

• Finalize formative and summative assessment plans

• Complete LJOs and assign remaining work across teams

• Begin course shell development with instructional designers this fall (CBA) and spring (CEHHS)

UNO’s Inaugural CBE Program Portfolio

Four graduate programs are officially in active development and scheduled to launch in Spring 2027:

• Graduate Certificate in Executive Business (CBA)

• 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)

These programs represent UNO’s first step toward creating learner-centered, workforce-aligned pathways that offer flexible and practical options for adult learners.

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.

Facilitator: Stephanie Larsen standing in for Dr. Jaci Lindburg

Next Meeting: September 23

 

Update: The Steering Committee met in August to review program development progress, finalize branding recommendations, and begin planning for governance submissions and long-term sustainability.

 

📌Key Discussion Points

CBE Branded Name Proposal

• The Marketing & Communications Workgroup presented naming options based on survey data from over 120 stakeholders. The committee identified and discussed three options. The final name will be shared once approval is secured.

Program Development & Governance

• All competencies are now written for the inaugural programs in CEHHS and CBA.

• Teacher Education Instructional Technology Leadership (ITL) endorsement has been submitted as a new graduate certificate.

• The catalog submission window (Feb 1–Mar 1 2026) is being targeted for 2027 launches.

• HLC substantive change form writing team formed with a submission target of Oct 1.

The next meeting will focus on subscription tuition models, academic load implications, and approving final governance timelines.

 

✅ Working Decisions

• CBE Learner Model developed by the academic workgroup affirmed.
• UNO will adopt the Standard Term FSA academic calendar with a 5x8 structure (5 terms - 8 week modules).

• 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.

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. 

Academic | Facilitator: Erin Bass

Next Meeting: September 11
Update: The Academic Workgroup reconvened in August and is now focused on delivering several high-priority milestones for Q3, including finalizing the faculty model, defining RSI (Regular and Substantive Interaction) expectations, and reviewing CBE-relevant academic policies.

 

📌 Q3 Highlights

Learning Model Finalized: The group reviewed and refined the draft UNO CBE Learning Model. Changes included clarifying the language around learning path customization and outlining key features such as pre-assessments, assessment attempt limits, and guidance on formative feedback. Once finalized, the model will be shared with academic units and adapted into a student- and HLC-facing resource.

 

The RSI team is drafting a CBE-specific policy addendum to align with federal requirements for distance education.

 

The Faculty Model team is reviewing faculty model options for identifying how CBE courses are developed, delivered, and supported.

 

Next Up

• Complete policy drafts (RSI and Faculty Model)

• Audit campus Prior Learning Assessment (PLA/CPL) processes for CBE alignment

• Draft foundational academic policies (grading, mastery, attempts, etc.)

• Prepare inaugural program curricula for formal governance review

This group is laying the groundwork for academic consistency, quality, and compliance as UNO’s CBE programs move toward implementation.

Next Meeting: September 12
Update: The Operations Workgroup continues to advance the systems and structures needed to support UNO’s inaugural CBE programs. With Q3 in full swing, efforts have shifted from early design to building the technical and administrative processes that will power onboarding, enrollment, and student support.

 

📌 Q3 Highlights

Academic Calendar & Enrollment Infrastructure

• Finalizing a proposed 5x8-week CBE calendar aligned with UNO’s standard term model

• Drafting key policies: start dates, withdrawal deadlines, census points, and tuition refund windows

• In progress: Coordinating across PeopleSoft, Salesforce, and Canvas to ensure systems support for the mastery-based grading structure and flexible registration model

Tuition Model & Financial Aid

• Reviewing the subscription-based tuition model proposed by the Finance Workgroup, with anticipated flat-rate pricing

• Financial aid delivery under this model will initially be manual, with planning underway for policy alignment and federal compliance

📊 Systems & Reporting

• Completed first draft of a CBE systems map and data flow diagram 

• Coordinating with Institutional Research to align CBE reporting (e.g., IPEDS) with existing campus practices

• Exploring transcript formatting for CBE learners and evaluating potential for Comprehensive Learner Records (CLR) and Learner Employment Records (LER)

Next Up
The team is preparing for key policy and system decisions tied to the subscription model, and onboarding flow. Collaborative planning with Academic, Student Affairs, and Financial Aid will continue through Q4.

Next Meeting: TBD
Update: The Finance & HR Workgroup is finalizing recommendations for how UNO’s CBE programs will be funded, priced, and staffed—ensuring a model that’s sustainable, scalable, and aligned

 

📌 Q3 Highlights

Tuition Model Recommendation
The group will formally recommended a subscription-based tuition model to the Steering Committee at the end of September.  This approach provides:

• Flat-rate flexibility for learners

• Predictable revenue modeling for the institution

• Competitive pricing aligned with peer institutions

Workload & Budget Planning

• Began estimating expenditure categories tied to CBE enrollment

• Developing workload ratios (e.g., how many learners one recruiter, advisor, or registrar staff member can reasonably support)

• Compensation discussions continue, focusing on per-course enrollment at census as a starting point

Next Up

• Build and refine the CBE business model and pro forma

• Finalize tuition rate and budget philosophy (central vs. college-level, use of state funds, etc.)

• Determine pilot-year staffing plan, including FTE needs, hiring triggers, and cost assumptions

This workgroup is creating the financial backbone of CBE at UNO—balancing innovation with operational and fiscal responsibility.

Next Meeting: September 12
Update: The Student Affairs/Services Workgroup continues to build the foundation for a holistic, learner-centered support model that aligns with the unique needs of CBE students. With Q3 wrapping up, the team has shifted from early planning to policy development, staffing models, and cross-campus coordination.

 

📌 Q3 Highlights:

Student Journey & Support Model

• Finalizing the draft CBE learner journey map, which outlines the full lifecycle of support from inquiry to graduation

• Identified core service needs and defined coaching/advising checkpoints

• Preparing to submit the model to the Steering Committee for formal feedback

CBE Student Success Coach Role

• Developing a draft job description for the CBE student success coach, modeled after high-touch advising roles at peer institutions

• Began building coach/faculty swim lanes to clarify responsibilities, with distinctions between graduate and undergraduate support

Next Up

• Create academic advising rules and systems in partnership with Financial Aid and the Registrar

• Begin drafting the framework for CBE-specific student orientation (graduate and undergraduate versions)

• Define access to supplemental academic resources and student services

This team is designing a student experience that’s proactive, integrated, and deeply attuned to the flexibility and accountability that CBE learners need to succeed.

Next Meeting: TBD
Update: The Marketing & Communications Workgroup has entered a new phase—transitioning from market research and audience testing to brand development and campaign planning.

 

📌 Q3 Highlights

Survey Complete: Name Recommendation Made: In Q3, the team finalized and launched the CBE Naming & Branding Survey, which gathered feedback from over 120 adult learners, prospective students, and partners. Insights from the survey helped shape the formal name recommendation to the Steering Committee in August.

 

Now in Progress

• Building the UNO+CBE marketing plan to support the inaugural program launch

• Outlining student-facing messaging, including value propositions, tone, and brand language

• Beginning website structure and campaign collateral in collaboration with Strategic Marketing

• Exploring audience segmentation strategies for graduate vs. undergraduate CBE recruitment

Next Up

• Finalize website mock-up, lead forms, and campaign content

• Develop tested outreach messaging aligned with the U2B strategy

• Begin internal asset development and soft testing of brand materials

This team is turning strategy into story—creating the foundation for how CBE at UNO will connect with learners and stand out in the marketplace.

CBExchange 2025: Wrangling Skills in this Wild, Wild West Environment

UNO is heading to CBExchange 2025, the premier national conference on Competency-Based Education. The event will take place:

🗓️ November 10–13, 2025
📍 Phoenix, Arizona

 

We’re excited to share that Dr. Erin Bass and Stephanie Larsen, M.A. will be presenting on behalf of the UNO+CBE Champion Project!

 

🎤 UNO+CBE Sessions at CBExchange:

• Wrangling AI for CBE: How Custom GPTs Are Helping Us Blaze New Trails in Curriculum Design (Stephanie Larsen)

• Communication as a Catalyst: Using Communication to Win Faculty Buy-In and Keep the Wagon Moving (Stephanie Larsen and Erin Bass)

• Mission Meets Market: Defining and Positioning CBE Through Institutional Strategy (Erin Bass)

Whether you’re attending or just curious, we’ll be gathering takeaways to share broadly with our campus partners. 🔗 Learn more: CBENetwork.org/events