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New Director Hired for Omaha STEM Ecosystem

Julie Sigmon

Julie Sigmon has been named director of the Omaha STEM Ecosystem, one of only 10 such organizations in the country

OMAHA – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the University of Nebraska at Omaha hire Julie Sigmon to fulfill the newly created role of Omaha STEM Ecosystem director.

The Omaha STEM Ecosystem is a citywide partnership to maximize science, technology, engineering and mathematics-based learning initiatives in the Greater Omaha Area. Its mission is to encompass a rich array of STEM learning opportunities that ensure our community is meeting the future goals for STEM talent in the workplace.

The ecosystem, with support from local businesses, academic and science-based cultural institutions, will provide schools and youth organizations with increased or expanded learning opportunities for students to be successful in the areas of scientific thinking, examining potential career paths and extend their educational achievements based on their STEM interests or those of a related field.

Sigmon’s responsibilities as director include providing ongoing leadership for the Omaha STEM Ecosystem, increase STEM activities and events across the city, engage new partners to grow the ecosystem, build community support, as well as build closer relationships between schools and the community.

More than 30 organizations have already come together to assist in the growth of this effort, including Omaha Public Schools, Gallup, Union Pacific Railroad, Collective for Youth, United Way of the Midlands, AIM Institute, University of Nebraska at Omaha and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

More information about the Omaha STEM Ecosystem can be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/OmahaSTEM.

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.

About Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is an independent not-for-profit organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). As a leader in conservation, the Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research focuses on study areas to benefit animal husbandry and species conservation: conservation genetics, conservation medicine, rare plant conservation, reproductive sciences and comparative nutrition. The Zoo is recognized nationally for its conservation, animal care and architecture design. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium covers 112 developed acres and is located at Nebraska’s I-80, 13th Street exit.