Chancellor Li Delivers State of the University Address: "Innovate for the Public Good"

Visit the official 2023 State of the University Address website for access to the address transcript, a photo gallery, the digital program, a survey on the proposed UNO Core statement, and more.

The Willis A. and Janet S. Strauss Performing Arts Center was filled with Maverick Spirit on Friday as University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, delivered her first State of the University address. Under the theme of "Innovate for the Public Good," Chancellor Li delved into the hurdles being faced by institutions of higher education nationally and outlined the measures and strategic initiatives being taken by UNO to effectively address these issues while also positioning UNO for its future.

Navigate the Recap

• Challenges Facing Higher Education Nationwide
• The UNO Core
• Now is the Time to Innovate for the Public Good
• We Want Your Feedback
• Sights and Sounds from the State of the University Address

Challenges Facing Higher Education Nationwide

Nationally, universities are currently at a crossroads. Institutions are faced with the public's increasing doubt in the value of higher education, a smaller pool of high school graduates to recruit, and reduced public investment in higher education.

“In the past 20 years, tuition and fees have increased by an average of 134 percent across higher education institutions. This has led to an erosion of public trust and confidence in the value of higher education. This impacts every university, including ours,” Li said. “However, a UNO education is still of remarkable value. It remains one of the lowest costs of attendance in the nation at $8,300 per year for in-state students – a price tag lower than the average cost of tuition and fees for the entire state of Nebraska. At UNO, we pride our accessible and affordable quality education above all things.”

UNO proudly assumes its role as a pioneer in the pursuit of affordability, ensuring that the doors of knowledge remain open to every learner. The university’s efforts extend even beyond Nebraska through the Omaha Urban Rate (OUR) program which offers a significantly reduced tuition to surrounding states. In doing so, UNO champions not only the cause of education but also serves as an ally in the battle against workforce shortages, equipping the state with the skilled professionals it needs.

Senior Vice Chancellor Phil He, Ph.D., has been tasked with working closely alongside UNO leadership, deans, and faculty to conduct a comprehensive review of all the university’s academic programs. Through this Academic Vitality Initiative, UNO will embark on this effort to identify areas of strength within its academic programs.

“The result is a university and community that thrives in a mutually beneficial relationship primed for continuous, upward social mobility, and sustainable growth,” Li said. “That is how you serve your community, regain public trust, and have a foundation to build on for the future.”

Inspired by what Michael Crow., Ph.D., president of Arizona State University, has referred to as the “New American University” model, institutions of the future are committed to increasing accessibility, mitigating financial burdens, building partnerships within the community, and maintaining high academic standards. Most importantly, institutions today face a choice; they can either cling to the outdated notion that the value of education is determined by its exclusivity, or they can envision a new, more inclusive era for higher education.

UNO is committing to this initiative by continuously exploring creative solutions to relieve the financial challenges that can limit their students' ambitions. The institution understands the importance of building partnerships with local businesses, government entities, and nonprofit organizations, with the goal of ensuring that their graduates can secure rewarding careers within their own communities.

The university is dedicated to cultivating workforce diversity and fostering an inclusive environment that embraces lifelong learners from diverse backgrounds. As an institution, UNO aims to provide profound support to the community through accessible higher education, particularly for those who otherwise feel they cannot pursue higher education due to obstacles or may otherwise be excluded by other institutions.

This is exemplified by the learners who call UNO home. Out of UNO’s student population of about 15,000 students:

• 5,000 are first-generation
• 4,700 are ethnically diverse students
• 87% receive financial aid
• 33% are Pell Grant eligible
• 25% are Nebraska Promise eligible
• 85% are from here in the Omaha area

The UNO Core

To position the university for future success, Chancellor Li introduced a new proposed statement known as the UNO Core. It reads:

UNO is an urban public research university educating people of the world. We innovate for the public good through pragmatic and impactful research and discovery. We advance the social and economic mobility of our learners and serve our communities through inclusion rather than exclusion. We assume responsibility for workforce and economic development within our state and beyond. We devote each day to transforming lives.

Chancellor Li has challenged the UNO campus community to provide input to this proposed core and showcase how the university is already beginning to live up to the Core’s tenets. The remarks included some examples from across campus, notably the institution’s commitment to research excellence. This is evident in UNO’s remarkable growth in sponsored research and creative activity funding, which has grown from 25 million dollars in 2021 to 42 million dollars in 2023.

“Think of knowledge gained from our teaching, research, and community engagement as our community’s most powerful renewable resource,” said Li, “When people use it, it becomes more valuable and helpful. It gets better as we use it in different ways and share it with others. It also improves as we question it, test it, and discuss it with others. We must make innovation for the public good the fabric of who we are.

Please provide us your input on the UNO Core by completing this brief survey.

Now is the Time to Innovate for the Public Good

In Chancellor Li's State of the University address at UNO, she showcased the institution's unwavering commitment to innovation for the public good and accessibility in higher education. UNO's dedication to breaking down barriers and fostering inclusive learning environments exemplifies the transformational potential of higher education. As the institution's research funding grows, and it continues to advocate for affordability, diversity, and community engagement, UNO stands as a beacon of hope, leading the way toward a future where education truly serves the public good.

“The lessons we learned from the past and the challenges we face today will propel us into the future. We must choose to be the university that is dedicated to inclusion rather than exclusion. We must dedicate ourselves to serving the community. We must be the university that is dedicated to innovating for the public good.” said Li.

McKenna Cottone, a theatre student in UNO’s College of Communications, Fine Arts and Media introduced the chancellor at the event. Following the chancellor’s formal remarks, life-long learner and educator, Barbara Weitz introduced a video piece examining how the UNO Core is already evident in different areas of UNO’s campus. Faculty Senate President William Melanson, Ph.D., alongside assistant professor Lori Schwartz and associate professor Patty Bick, Ph.D., then presented Weitz with a resolution unanimously passed by the UNO Faculty Senate thanking her and her husband, Wally, for pledging $19 million to the university. The funds will be used to establish the Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund as well as the Barbara and Wally Weitz Endowed Chair in Higher Education Leadership.

We Want Your Feedback

During the address, Chancellor Joanne Li proposed the UNO Core:

"UNO is an urban public research university existing to educate the citizens of the world. We create an environment where all are welcome. We are determined to innovate for the public good through pragmatic and impactful research and discovery. We are committed to advance the social and economic mobility of our learners and to serve our communities by inclusion rather than exclusion. We assume the responsibility of workforce and economic development for our state and beyond."

Please provide us your input on the UNO Core by completing this brief survey.

Sights and Sounds from the State of the University Address

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