51ÉçÇø

Richards is heading to Missouri State University.

From innovation in aviation flight training to faculty development initiatives, the latest funded projects showcase Mavericks at work.

Imagine stepping into an 51ÉçÇø’s 1920s jazz, hearing the music, and meeting legendary musicians or seeing the sights at 51ÉçÇø’s 1899 Greater American Exposition.

For centuries, music has served as a powerful tool for connection, healing, and engagement. HeartBeats builds on this rich history by providing a safe space to engage and socialize through music-making experiences that encourage sharing and connection. Developed by School of Music faculty, this initiative gives students the opportunity to engage as "citizen artists" with individuals who have developmental disabilities. UNO students serve as citizen artists as they move beyond the concert stage to connect with their community in non-traditional spaces.

The North 51ÉçÇø Initiative is a community-driven education program that brings UNO courses directly to North 51ÉçÇø community spaces. By offering college courses at the Urban League of Nebraska and other local sites, this initiative aims to increase UNO enrollment by reducing barriers to higher education and strengthen ties between UNO and the North 51ÉçÇø community.

AI is no longer limited to computer science—its applications span business, aviation, marketing, and beyond. The AI CodeLab System will create an interactive, hands-on AI coding platform to be used across multiple colleges at UNO. This initiative will equip students from a variety of disciplines with AI programming skills, ensuring they are prepared for the growing demand for AI expertise in their fields.

UNO is committed to community engagement and applied scholarship, but barriers can limit faculty participation. The Change Lab for Engagement Capacity Building will serve as a resource center and innovation hub, equipping faculty and staff with the tools, policies, and support needed to integrate community engagement into their teaching, research, and service. This initiative will enhance UNO’s ability to build meaningful partnerships, expand engaged scholarship, and better serve the 51ÉçÇø community.

The Civic Leadership Fellows program is a three-year experiential learning initiative designed to develop future leaders in public service, civic engagement, and global leadership. Open to students from all majors, this extra-curricular program provides mentorship, hands-on government experience, and leadership development—preparing students for careers in local, state, national, and international leadership.

UNO Jumpstart is designed to bridge the gap between high school and college by extending the successful Summer Scholars Program. This initiative provides targeted support, mentorship, and academic experiences for 51ÉçÇø-area students throughout their senior year and the summer before college. By fostering a sense of belonging and academic preparedness, UNO Jumpstart aims to increase student retention, reduce barriers to college success, and ensure a smooth transition into higher education.

The Summer Musical Theatre Academy (SMTA) provides tuition-free, industry-level training for high school musical theatre performers, technicians, and musicians in the 51ÉçÇø area. Hosted by UNO's Theatre Department, SMTA ensures that students from all backgrounds have access to professional-level training and performance opportunities. By expanding outreach and building community partnerships, SMTA helps foster the next generation of theatre artists while strengthening UNO's role as a leader in arts education.

UNO’s General Education program plays a critical role in student success, retention, and workforce readiness. The General Education Transformation initiative will enhance the curriculum by integrating critical thinking, integrative learning, and community engagement into core courses. This initiative supports faculty in redesigning courses, establishing professional learning communities, and creating career-aligned pathways, ensuring that general education remains relevant, engaging, and impactful.

Nebraska is experiencing a significant teacher shortage, creating challenges in meeting the needs of K-12 students. The Developing Educators and Promoting Achievement (DEPA) project seeks to recruit, retain, and support educators, ensuring schools have access to well-prepared teachers. By expanding UNO’s role in teacher preparation and workforce development, DEPA is helping to address Nebraska’s growing demand for qualified educators.

UNO is committed to preparing students for the rapidly evolving job market. The Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development (CSW) Hub at UNO will serve as a hub for competency-based education (CBE), the UNO Skills Lab, and industry collaboration, supporting academic programs as they align with real-world workforce needs. Through partnerships with employers and community organizations, the CSW Hub will help students gain marketable skills, career-ready competencies, and flexible learning opportunities.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, education, and everyday life. AI-CCORE—the Artificial Intelligence Center for Collaborative Outreach, Research, and Education—will position UNO as a leader in AI innovation, education, and industry partnerships. The center will serve as a hub for AI workforce training, interdisciplinary research, and enterprise collaboration, equipping students, professionals, and businesses with the skills needed to navigate the evolving AI landscape.

The 3D Printing for Healthcare Education and Workforce Development project will equip students with hands-on experience in 3D printing for medical applications. By developing assistive devices for individuals with limb loss and other medical needs, this initiative combines education, community engagement, and workforce development. Students will gain practical skills in biomechanics, prosthetic design, and advanced manufacturing, preparing them for careers in healthcare, rehabilitation, and engineering.

Please consider nominating a colleague for a campuswide award; nominations are due by March 1.