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The Road Ahead

A message to UNO faculty and staff from Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Phil He, Ph.D.

  • published: 2025/03/11
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Aerial photograph of UNO's Dodge Campus, 2017.

On May 20, 2025, Chancellor Li provided an update on the 2025-2026 budget.


The past few weeks have brought uncertainty as we navigate budget discussions and federal actions as a university. These conversations impact all of us, and we know the uncertainty they bring can be challenging.

Being part of a university community means embracing curiosity, seeking answers, and developing solutions. It’s in our nature to ask tough questions and work toward clarity.

That’s why moments of uncertainty like this, when not all the answers are clear, can feel particularly difficult.

There are many unknowns that we are navigating as an institution, but know this: Your work matters. You are valued. You make a difference in countless lives on our campus, in our community, and across the state.

And remember: Support is available. The Faculty and Staff Employee Assistance Program (FSEAP) offers confidential resources to help during difficult times.

These discussions will continue to evolve, so we encourage you to follow updates directly from UNO’s Office of the Chancellor and the NU System’s Office of the President. These will always be the most accurate and up-to-date sources of information. We will provide information and updates when appropriate.

This is a resilient community, so we have no doubt that we will get stronger on the road ahead.

Keep looking out for one another. Keep bringing your passion, your ideas, and your dedication to our mission. And most of all, keep showing up for our students. We’ll get through this together, and I’m grateful to be on this journey with you.


Sincerely,


Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA

Chancellor


Phil He, Ph.D.

Senior Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs


Gaylene Armstrong, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Public Affairs and Community Service


Melanie Bloom, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences


Juan Casas, Ph.D.

Dean, Graduate Studies


Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences


Martha Garcia-Murillo, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Information Science & Technology


Michael Hilt, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media


Dave Richards, M.A., M.L.I.S.

Dean, Library Services


Steve Schulz, Ph.D.

Interim Dean, College of Business Administration

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). 

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