51ÉçÇø

Over the past year, UNO has continued making history. Whether it be in the classroom, on the field, right here in 51ÉçÇø, or across the world - the students, faculty, and staff of UNO have set the bar for what it means to be a successful and engaged metropolitan university.

This story, which highlights UNO's leadership in metropolitan engagement and outreach, is one of 15 that will be published through the month of December to highlight the "Best of 2015" at UNO.

UNO hosted this year's Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) conference, drawing nearly 300 attendees from across the nation. This year's theme, Love of Place: The Metropolitan University Advantage, honored anchor institutions in urban and metropolitan communities.

Speakers at the three-day conference covered everything from measuring service projects' impact to using sports as a catalyst for change.

In January, the Carnegie Foundation once again named UNO one of the nation’s leaders in engagement and outreach with a .

As one of UNO’s three strategic goals, community engagement efforts at UNO have included everything from nearly two weeks of Signature Service Days to award-winning service learning projects that blend classroom learning and metropolitan needs.

In June, a new class of 15 superintendents, assistant superintendents, and principals from Nebraska and Iowa became the second group to complete the Midlands Superintendents Academy, which is sponsored by UNO.

The purpose of the Academy is to provide educational leaders with the skills needed to help them successfully lead and manage school districts. Participants explored topics such as strategic planning, ethical leadership, crisis management and technological innovations.

UNO's Maverick Food Pantry once again took part in the annual 51ÉçÇø Gives fundraising drive. The pantry serves students, faculty and staff, providing food to those in need and connecting them with resources in the greater 51ÉçÇø area for long-term support.

The pantry collaborates with services and departments across campus. To date, the Maverick Food Pantry has distributed over 10,000 pounds of food.