Project Achieve Poised to Support Students into the Future

New funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education will help UNO's Project Achieve learning community continue to support nearly 200 students each year, helping many of them break a cycle of poverty and improving their quality of life - as well as future generations to come.

Now in its 27th year, Project Achieve, with the support of Valerie Russell of the Russell Center, has secured $1.8 million in federal funding over five years to continue its mission of ensuring good academic standing, retention, and ultimately graduation for academically at-risk students. The funding ensures that close to 1,000 students will benefit from the program from now through 2025.

"We are a unique learning community on the UNO campus," explained Shannon Teamer, director of UNO Project Achieve. "Not only do we serve academically underperforming students to get them on the right track, but we aren't just limited to incoming students - any student can join Project Achieve at any time as long as we have the capacity and they meet the qualifications."

Among the students who often quality for Project Achieve funding are individuals with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, students who are homeless, students in foster care, or other students who lack outside support structures.

"Especially now, with COVID-19 and ongoing racial tensions, there is an absolute need for a home outside of the classroom where these students can be supported. That is what Project Achieve offers and why this continuing funding is so important," Teamer said.

Among the services Project Achieve provides includes mentoring; tutoring; personal and academic counseling; financial advising; and engagement opportunities with fellow students, faculty, and staff.

Students can apply to Project Achieve at any time, though students are encouraged to apply by Aug. 1 for the fall semester and Jan. 1 for the spring semester. Students can apply by submitting a printable PDF or using an online application.

If you have questions about whether you, or a student you know, may qualify for Project Achieve, please contact the Project Achieve office at 402.554.3492.