Skip to main content

Governor Pete Ricketts Visits UNO

Governor Pete Ricketts

Governor Pete Ricketts posing for a "selfie" with a student

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts visited the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) on Thursday, February 12 to learn more about the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) Middle College program housed in Kayser Hall.

Ricketts spoke to the students about leadership, business, and citizenship, and answered questions from the students.

About the Middle College Program

The UNO/OPS program which falls within the Multiple Pathways division of OPS is an option for high ability learners in need of an alternative setting. The program is a joint effort between OPS, UNO, and the Sherwood Foundation.

Students in the program have the ability and talents to be successful, but have become disengaged in the traditional setting. Issues such as academic pace, social disconnects, family concerns or needs for a more flexible schedule may have caused the student to need an alternative learning environment.

The aim of the Middle College program is to re-engage the student through the power of the college campus. The program offers students flexibility, individualized learning plans, connections to UNO, and the opportunity to take college level courses. Teaching in the Middle College program follows the Gradual Release Model for Instruction, which is the flexible delivery of modeling, guiding, sharing and independent forms of instruction.