This report shows the various collaborative projects between UNO and the community. Various filters are provided to gain a better understanding of how different UNO units collaborate with the community.
| Project | Project Focus Areas | Community Partners | Campus Partners | Engagement Type: | Activity Type: | Other Activity Type: | Start Semester: | Start Academic Year: | End Semester: | End Academic Year: | Total UNO Students: | UNO Students Hours: | UNO Faculty/Staff Hours: | Total K-12 Students: | K-12 Student Hours: | Total Number of Other Participants: | Topics: | Other Topics: | Description: | Subtags: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR Plans for Nonprofits (Spring 2023): 2022-23 (3053) | Educational Support | Learning for ALL, Raise me to Read, WhyArts | Service Learning Academy (SLA) | Service Learning | None | None | Spring | 2022-23 | None | 13 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | In this project, students will learn to write newsletters, press releases, and conduct SWOT analyses for local organizations. Working in small groups, they will collaborate with three community partners, creating impactful content like newsletters, news releases, and PR reports tailored to each partner. This hands-on experience will enhance their writing, strategic thinking, and analytical skills while making a tangible impact. By participating in this immersive project, students will gain practical knowledge and readiness for real-world communications challenges. Traditional JMC 3230.001 | ||||
| WhyArts and UNO Transitions Social Competencies (Spring 2023): 2022-23 (3030) | Arts, Culture and Humanities | WhyArts | Transitions Program | Knowledge and Resource Sharing | None | None | Spring | 2022-23 | Spring | 2022-23 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Inclusion, Diversity & Equity | WhyArts partners with the Transitions Program providing opportunities for autistic young adults to practice and enhance social competencies in structured and unstructured group events on and off the UNO campus. This partnership began in 2015 and is ongoing at the beginning of each semester with WhyArts facilitating a session at the beginning of each semester (1 hour). The partnership supports UNO Transition's participants on the autism spectrum and those UNO students in learning and other meaningful experiences. CEPI does not account for projects prior to 2015 so this project entry begins in 2016 within the system. Each semester there are 3 to 4 graduate students and 4-5 undergraduate students involved. | ||
| WhyArts Consulting (Fall 2020): 2020-21 (1344) | Educational Support | WhyArts | Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) | Engaged Research | None | None | Fall | 2020-21 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | |||
| Sensory: Please Touch the Art: 2016-17 (875) | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Educational Support, Social Justice | Colorado Center for the Blind, Metropolitan Community College (MCC), National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska (NFBN Omaha Chapter), Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha Association for the Blind, Outlook Nebraska, WhyArts | Fine Arts | Community-Based Learning | Other | None | Fall | 2016-17 | Fall | 2016-17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Disadvantaged Populations, Raise Awareness, Art | The gallery will feature nationally-curated art meant for more senses than sight, tactile interpretations of classic art, and artwork created at four art workshops for the visually impaired, which were held at UNO over the summer. The name of the exhibit says it all: this art is meant to be touched. The art workshops were made possible with assistance from the Nebraska Arts Council, WhyArts?, Omaha Association of the Blind, Outlook Nebraska, Pamela Duncan (interpreter), and volunteer student interpreters from UNO. | ||
| Durango Days (Fall 2022): 2022-23 (2732) | Educational Support, Social Justice | Coalition Rx, Elevate Omaha Inc, Inclusive Communities, Learning for ALL, NAMI Nebraska, The Wellbeing Partners, WhyArts | Maverick Food Pantry, Student Service and Leadership Collaborative (The Collaborative) | Knowledge and Resource Sharing | Other | None | Fall | 2022-23 | Fall | 2022-23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | CEC Building Partner Organizations interacted with hundreds of UNO students, allowing them to learn more about volunteer opportunities and needs in the community. Organizations were able to share their missions and activities in order for students to think about how they can get involved. Organizations reported that students took the information, and many see opportunities for follow-up engagement. | ||
| Maverick Community Connection (Fall 2021, 8699): 2021-22 (2073) | Educational Support, Social Justice | Circle Theatre, City Sprouts, Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands, Girls Inc., Green Omaha Coalition, Heartland Family Services, International Council for Refugees and Immigrants, Inc, Language and Culture School of Omaha, Little Leaf Learning Center, Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, Opera Omaha, The Hope Center for Kids, UNMC Munroe Meyer Institute, WhyArts | Service Learning Academy (SLA) | Service Learning | Course | None | Fall | 2021-22 | None | None | 15 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | UNO Students from CMST 1110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking courses will engage in the student philanthropy model of service learning, where course content and student learning is linked to charitable giving. Students select and research a community agency of their own interest, then develop and present a persuasive speech and call to action on behalf of the organization. This is a student led initiative, giving students a $1,000 grant to distribute to one community agency - the persuasive speech presentation with the best call to action. | ||
| WhyArts Story Bag Intern (Fall 2019): 2019-20 (2455) | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Educational Support | WhyArts | Business, Public Administration | Community-Based Learning | Internship/Externship | None | Fall | 2019-20 | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | WhyArts teaching artists have a new tool at their disposal this fall - The WhyArts Story Bag.The bag is the outcome of research conducted this summer by WhyArts intern, who graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) earlier this month with double master’s degrees in public administration/nonprofit management and fine arts" We have well tested and documented resources for programming in this area. Further development is needed which is planed for in the future. The story bags made several appearances out in the community especially in senior centers and early childhood environments. More development is planned and we expect the impact to grow. "https://www.whyartsinc.org/introducing-the-whyarts-story-bag/ | |||
| Our Secret Garden: 2018-19 (878) | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Wellness | WhyArts | Fine Arts, Transitions Program | Community-Based Learning | Other | None | Fall | 2018-19 | Fall | 2018-19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Gardens/Plantlife, Develop./Physical Disability, Theatre and Cinema | The premiere of “Our Secret Garden” featuring actors from UNO Theatre and the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Transitions Program was held Nov. 18 at the Weber Fine Arts Theatre. The event was the first collaboration between UNO Theatre, WhyArts, the Autism Society and the UNO Transitions Program. Earlier this fall, WhyArts artist Stephanie Anderson advised UNO director Lucas Perez-Leahy on developing a performance for Transitions Program participants inspired by “The Secret Garden,” which kicked off UNO Theatre’s 2018-19 fall season. The Transitions Program provides opportunities for young adults ages 18 to 25 who identify on the autism spectrum to practice and enhance social competencies. “UNO’s School of the Arts is squarely focused on strengthening our sense of community by developing the powers of perception and empathy,” said Jack Zerbe, director of the School of the Arts at UNO. “Collaborating with WhyArts, the Autism Society and UNO Transitions is a shining example of how UNO’s arts programs bring people together to foster understanding and make connections. I am pleased to have provided increased access to the arts but even more delighted that our students got to work so closely with our special new partners and friends.” “Our Secret Garden” was immediately followed by the final performance of UNO Theatre’s “A Secret Garden.” Below, Jack Zerbe and Carolyn Anderson, director of WhyArts, address the audience before the premiere. | ||
| Sensory: Please Touch the Art 2.0: 2017-18 (876) | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Health and Wellness | Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha Association for the Blind, Outlook Nebraska, WhyArts | Fine Arts, UNO Libraries | Community-Based Learning | Other | None | Spring | 2017-18 | Spring | 2017-18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Develop./Physical Disability, Art | A tactile art exhibit that is part of a national movement to increase accessibility in museums, galleries and classrooms. | ||
| Maverick Community Connection (Fall 2021, 006): 2021-22 (2080) | Educational Support, Social Justice | American Foundation of Suicide Prevention-Nebraska Chapter, A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation, Big Muddy Urban Farm, Bluebird Cultural Initiative, Child Saving Institute, College Possible, Easter Seals Nebraska, Hot Shops, International Council for Refugees and Immigrants, Inc, Josie Harper Hospice House, Language and Culture School of Omaha, Little White Dog Rescue, NAMI Nebraska, Omaha Summer Arts Festival, Open Door Mission, Restored Wings, Team Jack Foundation, UNMC Munroe Meyer Institute, Voice of Hope, WhyArts | Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC), Communication, Service Learning Academy (SLA) | Service Learning | Course | None | Fall | 2021-22 | None | None | 24 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | UNO Students from Casey Reisberg's course CMST 1110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking courses will engage in the student philanthropy model of service learning, where course content and student learning is linked to charitable giving. Students select and research a community agency of their own interest, then develop and present a persuasive speech and call to action on behalf of the organization. This is a student led initiative, giving students a $1,000 grant to distribute to one community agency - the persuasive speech presentation with the best call to action. | ||
| Sensory: Please Touch The Art 3.0: 2018-19 (877) | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Health and Wellness | Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha Association for the Blind, Outlook Nebraska, WhyArts | Fine Arts | Community-Based Learning | Other | None | Spring | 2018-19 | Summer | 2018-19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Develop./Physical Disability, Art | The College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, along with the School of the Arts and the UNO Art Gallery will host an exhibition to highlight the many ways one can experience art to increase awareness of accessibility to all populations wishing to experience what art has to offer. | ||
| WhyArts and UNO Transitions Social Competencies (2015 to Fall 2022): 2016-17 (2755) | Arts, Culture and Humanities | WhyArts | Transitions Program | Knowledge and Resource Sharing | None | None | Fall | 2016-17 | None | 2022-23 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Inclusion, Diversity & Equity | WhyArts partners with the Transitions Program providing opportunities for autistic young adults to practice and enhance social competencies in structured and unstructured group events on and off the UNO campus. This partnership began in 2015 and is ongoing at the beginning of each semester with WhyArts facilitating a session at the beginning of each semester (1 hour). The partnership supports UNO Transition's participants on the autism spectrum and those UNO students in learning and other meaningful experiences. CEPI does not account for projects prior to 2015 so this project entry begins in 2016 within the system. Each semester there are 3 to 4 graduate students and 4-5 undergraduate students involved. | ||
| BOLD Academic Fellows (Fall 2022): 2021-22 (2726) | International Service | Civic Nebraska, Coalition Rx, Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, WhyArts | International Programs | Knowledge and Resource Sharing | None | None | Summer | 2021-22 | Fall | 2022-23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | Global Engagement | This nonprofit panel included community organizations that also reside in the CEC. About the program: BOLD (BIH Omladinski Lideri, Bosnia and Herzegovina Young Leaders) Institute is an international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia & Herzegovina, which brings the best and bright young professionals from BiH region to the U.S. The BOLD Fellowship consists of an academic residency hosted by UNO. This five-week intensive academic residency program takes place on the UNO campus, and introduces participants to a range of diverse cultures and opportunities within the context of U.S. civic engagement. Through the BOLD Institute on Civic Engagement at UNO, BOLD fellows will learn about the principles of democracy, diversity, and community service. Through experiential learning opportunities, fellows will develop leadership, communication, and team-building skills that will be used to enhance civic engagement in their communities, deepen bonds among ASEAN member-states, and reinforce ties between the U.S. and ASEAN. BOLD fellows will also have opportunities to interact with civic leaders from across the state and academic leaders from UNO. Fellows will also connect with UNO students from the U.S. and other countries through civic and cultural events. In addition, fellows will have time to explore the local area, participate in U.S. holidays and celebrations, and travel to historical sites throughout the Midwest. Fellows will also develop an Action Plan to implement in their home countries, and upon completion of the Action Plan, be eligible for funding opportunities through the BOLD alumni network (see the below information about the Action Plans). This panel is part of multiple activities and events that happen throughout omaha with specialty interest meetings. | ||
| WhyArts Logo and Branding Redesign (Fall 2022): 2022-23 (2830) | Community-Based Learning | Other | None | Fall | 2022-23 | Fall | 2022-23 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Whyarts worked with the student run firm, MavPR, and its advisor, to do a redesign of their logo and branding. This was a contract for a fee to the UNO student organization. The new logo in and branding was implemented and in use. | ||||||
| WhyArts STEM Curriculum Development (Spring 2022): 2022-23 (2833) | Educational Support | WhyArts | STEM Education | Knowledge and Resource Sharing | None | None | Spring | 2022-23 | Spring | 2022-23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | They advised on some curriculum artwork (lesson plan booklets) that was associated with some afterschool programing, with the project called NE STEM 4U. The curriculum was used in afterschool programming within 7 area middle schools, and about 10 UNO students facilitated the afterschool programming effort. | |||
| WhyArts Consulting (Spring 2020): 2019-20 (1343) | Educational Support | WhyArts | Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) | Engaged Research | None | None | Spring | 2019-20 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | Consultation | ||
| WhyArts Consulting (Summer 2019): 2018-19 (1342) | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Educational Support | WhyArts | Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) | Knowledge and Resource Sharing | None | None | Summer | 2018-19 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | Consultation - information TBD | ||
| 60 Minutes of Service - 2/1/2017: 2016-17 | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Educational Support | WhyArts | Student Service and Leadership Collaborative (The Collaborative) | Volunteering | Volunteerism | None | Spring | 2016-17 | None | 28 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Raise Awareness, Art | Cut out Juxtaposition art pieces for TEDxUNO | |||
| 60 Minutes of Service - 9/14/2016: 2016-17 | Arts, Culture and Humanities, Educational Support | WhyArts | Student Service and Leadership Collaborative (The Collaborative) | Volunteering | Volunteerism | None | Fall | 2016-17 | None | 46 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Raise Awareness, Art | Packed 72 bags for Special Education classrooms | |||
| Collaborative Interns WhyArts: 2016-17 (2489) | Educational Support | WhyArts | Student Service and Leadership Collaborative (The Collaborative) | Community-Based Learning | Internship/Externship | None | Fall | 2016-17 | None | None | 8 | 2,880 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Capacity Building | UNO students hired as Collaborative interns are matched with community organizations, working 10 hours a week for that organization in the community. Students are paid through the grant-funded program. Nonprofits coordinate meaningful work for interns to benefit the student experience in different ways. Students typically intern during the fall and spring semesters and may serve the same organization for more than one academic year. Each unique student that works as a Collaborative intern with this specific community partner is identified within this project. | ||
| WhyArts -UNO Transition Programa: 2023-24 (3160) | Health and Wellness | WhyArts | Transitions Program | Community-Based Learning | None | None | Fall | 2023-24 | None | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | WhyArts partners with the Transitions Program providing opportunities for autistic young adults to practice and enhance social competencies in structured and unstructured group events on and off the UNO campus. | ||||
| Durango Days (Fall 2023): 2023-24 (3161) | Health and Wellness | Coalition Rx, Education Rights Counsel (ERC), Elevate Omaha Inc, Learning for ALL, Partnership 4 Kids, The Wellbeing Partners, WhyArts | Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC), Service Learning Academy (SLA), Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs | Community-Based Learning | None | None | Fall | 2023-24 | Fall | 2023-24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Various CEC building partners with office space in the building signed up and participated in Durango Days—organizations connected with UNO students in different ways. For example, WhyArts shared teaching artist opportunities with students while creating a group art project. | |||
| Strategic Writing(Fall 2022): 2022-23 (3164) | Educational Support | Abide Omaha, Caroles House of Hope, Restored Wings, WhyArts | Art and Art History, Music | Service Learning | None | None | Fall | 2022-23 | None | 15 | 244 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Students develop advertising strategies for community partners by crafting persuasive messages for their target audiences through pre-writing, preparation, and editing. JMC 4250.860 TRADITIONAL | ||||
| Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education(Fall 2022): 2022-23 (3179) | Educational Support | WhyArts | College of Education, Health, and Human Science | Service Learning | None | None | Fall | 2022-23 | None | 23 | 379 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Early childhood teacher candidates partner with Why Arts to prepare and implement creative and expressive arts curriculum to assist with learning development in the classroom. Traditional TED 2370.001 | ||||
| 2023 MLK Day of Service: 2022-23 (2780) | Social Justice | Hope Center For Kids, Open Door Mission, Project harmony, Refugee Empowerment Center, Siena Francis House, Stephen Center, WhyArts, Women's Center for Advancement, Youth Emergency Services | Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs | Volunteering | Volunteerism | None | Spring | 2022-23 | Spring | 2022-23 | 30 | 120 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 110 | Inclusion, Diversity & Equity | Students, faculty, staff, and community partners are invited to participate in UNO's 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. 2023 Theme "Beloved Community" - Dr. King's philosophy is that a beloved community is one where economic and social justice is inclusive and provides everyone the ability to live a high quality of life. • Number of Total Volunteer Participants = 150 • Number of Community Organizations Served = 8 • Number of UNO Students/Staff/Faculty/Alumni = 55 • Volunteer Representation across the Omaha Community : Volunteers were a part of 11 Unique Community Organizations | ||
| SOWK 1500.850 Service Learning Project (Spring 2024): 2023-24 (3249) | Educational Support | Completely Kids, Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands, Ollie Webb Center, Rose Theater, WhyArts | College of Public Affiars and Community Service, Service Learning Academy (SLA) | Service Learning | None | None | Spring | 2023-24 | None | 25 | 361 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Each student will complete 20 hours of service learning with a local community organization, requiring participants to explore and review its services, culminating in a professional group presentation to showcase their experiences, strengthen referral skills, and enhance presentation abilities crucial in the field of social work. SOWK 1500.850 P-16 | ||||
| International Language Learners (Summer 2024): 2023-24 (3262) | Educational Support | Aksarben Village Senior Living, Dial Senior Living, WhyArts | International Programs | Service Learning | None | None | Summer | 2023-24 | None | 8 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | International Language Learners class strives to help students learn English as a second language and provide academic and professional support. This class has two events that allows the international language learning students from UNO to collaborate with Aksarben Senior Living, WhyArts, and Holling Heights Elementary students to make art for an art gallery for senior residents. The collaboration allows ILUNO students to engage with the community and collaborate with elementary students and senior citizens. ILUNO 3695.001 P-16 |