The following are UNL Divisions and Projects that seek to partner with or have resources for Nebraska Communities. See where these groups are impacting Nebraska in our Engagement and Outreach Map. For edits or suggestions, please contact Jentry Barrett at jbarrett3@unl.edu.
America Reads and America Counts
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship
Since 2002, America Reads and America Counts work-study program, housed in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship, has partnered with the Lincoln Public School District to provide tutoring resources for elementary schools. UNL America Reads and America Counts program annually employes 100 students to engage in the community, thus enabling the program to reach over 1,000 youth per month. Tutors assist elementary school children, kindergarten through 5th grade, in reading and mathematics. The America Reads and America Counts program offers UNL undergraduate students an opportunity to mentor, educate, and invest in children within the community through one-on-one and group tutoring.
Buoy Agency for Non-Profits
College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Buoy is a student-run agency within the Experience Lab that serves non-profits and other purpose-driven organizations. With guidance from a faculty liaison and professionals-in- residence, students build core skills in advertising and public relations while exploring professional interests. (Note: Buoy is a learning lab for students largely in their first or second year of studies at UNL. Buoy students are far less experienced than the student selected through a competitive process to work for Jacht.)
Initialize Student Group
College of Engineering
Initialize is an outreach group dedicated to expanding the reach of computer science. We do so through acts of community service, leadership, mentorship, and interdisciplinary inclusion. We work with local businesses, non-profits, public schools, colleges, and universities as a resource and advocate for the importance of incorporating computer science into every discipline in today's modern world.
Intern Foundry Program
The Intern Foundry Program is a for-credit honors program opportunity for students to gain experience working with a local nonprofit organization in Lincoln, Nebraska. Through projects, students are paired with a nonprofit partner that helps them with marketing, fundraising, and accounting. The immersive experience is a part-time internship experience. In addition, students participate in a weekly seminar course that allows students to explore community development and social change through the lens of Lincoln. Students explore theories of social change and a range of urban issues, like housing and immigration. The program is in partnership with the Foundry, UNL Honors Program, and SLICE. The initiative sprang from the observation that student leadership development concerning complex social concerns requires integrated, sustained attention, both curricular and co-curricular.
Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
This training program from Nebraska Extension provides volunteers with science-based horticulture education, which prepares them to share their knowledge with Nebraskans.
Nonprofit Management Institute
College of Business
Nebraska’s Nonprofit Management Institute developed a rigorous series of executive education programs designed to refine the skills nonprofit leaders need to make a larger and lasting impact on the people and communities they serve. These programs present best practices in nonprofit management, finance and fundraising that can advance the success of your organization, whatever its size or mission.
Nonprofit in Residence
In 2021, the Nonprofit in Residence event was developed to invite nonprofits to set up a booth in the Nebraska Union during the last week of the month from 11 am to 1 pm. The program allows us to inform students about a specific social issue and connect them with nonprofits where they can intern and volunteer. Initially, when we held the volunteer fair, we would see only 25 nonprofits attend, and around 100 students visit. Through the transition, we partner with five nonprofits monthly and engage 100 nonprofits over the academic year. In addition, this event is facilitated by students inside the Husker Nonprofit Coalition.
Public Participation and Engagement Digital Badge
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
P2E is a self-directed course that is available on your time and wherever it's convenient for you. You should be able to complete each module in 45 - 60 minutes, including assignments.
Reflective Practice FAN Training Program
College of Arts and Sciences
The Nebraska Center on Reflective Practice (NCRP) is part of the UNL-Center for Children, Families and the Law. This training will help professionals enhance their capacity to respond to others and communicate based on developmental principles and personal reflection.
Science Literacy 101 Course
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
We are looking for community partners who can navigate students toward an interactive experience that could include service learning, research, participation, or other activities for this course where student teams are required to select an issue they care about, develop a research poster, and to engage in 4-6 hours of experiential learning related to the issue. There are 600 students who take the class, and the course runs in both spring and fall semesters.