UNO Community Engagement Center Launches New Call for Partners

OMAHA – The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) is announcing a new call for applications to utilize space within the new Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC).

Interested nonprofits and other area organizations are encouraged to submit a partnership application, located at the CEC website, by the deadline of Friday, Sept. 12. Applications should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. that day.

The Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, which opened in April of this year, is the only facility of its kind on a university campus in the United States. Designed to facilitate partnerships between the UNO community and city of Omaha, as well as other regional and national partners, the CEC provides work space for area organizations as well as access to UNO faculty, students and campus resources.

In addition to organizational space, the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center is home to UNO’s signature outreach programs: the UNO Service Learning Academy and Student Volunteer and Leadership Collaborative.

“Even though we anticipated great energy in the building, we’ve been pleased by how everyone who uses the CEC, residents and visitors alike, have embraced the spirit of collaboration,” said Sara Woods, Assistant to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement and director of the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center.

Organizations seeking community partner space will need to complete a two-phased application process: A written application will be required, follwed by an interview between the applicant organization’s leadership and the CEC partner selection subcommittee.

Approved partners will have the option for dedicated space within the CEC for up to three years.

University-based organizations (e.g., UNO colleges, departments, or student organizations) should complete the “UNO Organization Application.” Community-based organizations (non-profit organizations, community collaborations, government initiatives, etc.) should complete the “Community Organization Application.” Both applications are available at the CEC website.

The CEC partner selection subcommittee has both community and campus representation. Subcommittee recommendations will be submitted to the Sr. Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs for final approval.

Decisions for partners will be announced in late October 2014. After this initial application process, there will be a rolling deadline for applications throughout the year.

For inquiries about the application for space please contact Sara Woods at swoods@unomaha.edu or 402.554.3914, or Heike Langdon at halangdon@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2565.

For media requests, please contact Charley Reed, UNO media relations coordinator, at unonews@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2129.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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