The Marian Smart Ambassador Program: Championing Digital Safety in Schools
An inside look at how a local nonprofit and Marian High School students are teaming up to create safe spaces for conversation about social media’s impact on youth in the latest episode of Consider This.
- published: 2025/08/18
- contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
- email: unonews@unomaha.edu
➡️ In this episode: Suzie Fogarty, community development coordinator with the Smart GEN Society, and Jen Christen, liaison for the Marian Smart Ambassador Program, team up with a Marian High School junior ambassador to explain how local students are tracking social media trends and leading forums that open dialogue about online behaviors. The initiative empowers young voices to foster awareness, safety, and well-being in digital spaces through school and community-based conversations.
📺 Watch the episode: Season 28, Episode 35 – Marian Smart Ambassador Program
💡 Why it matters: Nebraska youth are growing up in a digital era filled with challenges—from misinformation to mental health concerns tied to social media. By guiding responsible dialogue and peer-led discussion, the Marian Smart Ambassador Program helps communities tackle these issues head-on. This episode highlights how young Nebraskans are leading change by promoting digital responsibility and emotional safety.
🎞️ About Consider This: Now in its 28th season, Consider This is a weekly public affairs program on Nebraska Public Media. Episodes are recorded at the UNO television studio as part of a hands-on production class led by Michael Pacholski. Produced by students from UNO’s School of Communication, the show delivers thoughtful, relevant content statewide. Hosted by Cathy Wyatt, Consider This brings expert voices and fresh perspectives to help Nebraskans better understand the issues shaping our communities.
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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