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UNO receives national award for community service

UNO has received a national award for community service and economic development.

The Presidential Award for Economic Opportunity recognizes universities and colleges for their commitment to service and community engagement. UNO is one of four schools to receive the Presidential Award.

Deb Smith-Howell, associate vice chancellor of academic affairs, says UNO’s service learning has expanded from 7 courses and 100 students in 1997 to more than 160 courses and 2,000 students now.

"The students who are in those service learning classes, first and foremost, they are able to take the material they are learning in their coursework and by applying it, they really have a deeper level of learning. And of course that’s first and foremost what we want out of any academic course, is deep learning."

The award recognizes UNO for three projects. One is an aquaponics projects the Service Learning Academy did with middle school students. Another is the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center. Third, UNO was recognized for a nine-week summer employment program called SummerWorks Omaha.