UNO tells Regents it’s shifting to a skill‑based model: Career Connect, microcredentials and AI cited as growth areas

OMAHA — University of Nebraska at Omaha leaders on April 11 told the Board of Regents that UNO is refocusing programs to serve a “skill‑based economy,” emphasizing paid internships, competency‑based learning, microcredentials and AI training as ways to increase student job placement and retain graduates in Nebraska.

Chris Moore, a professor of physics and director of UNO’s STEM Trail Center, opened the presentation and described the city‑facing classrooms and planetary outreach that he said reached 16,000 young people through camps and public programs. Moore said nearly 2,000 UNO undergraduates used the center’s classrooms this year and cited data showing a measured effect: “a 1‑week session in our summer camps for third through tenth graders leads to a 15% increase in interest in STEM careers,” he said.

Chancellor Jolie (UNO) framed the campus’s strategy as responding to employer demand for skills rather than degrees alone. Jolie told the regents UNO’s “Career Connect” initiative — launched in 2022 — asks local employers to offer paid internships so students need not take unpaid work or multiple part‑time jobs to participate. Jolie said 54 employers had pledged paid internships and the UNO Handshake platform listed 11,429 paid internships at the time of the presentation.

Jolie described other initiatives the campus is developing: competency‑based learning with more than 100 faculty across six colleges engaged; 26 microcredentials on topics including AI and grant development designed for non‑traditional learners; and a pilot cooperative education (co‑op) program in logistics and supply‑chain management with employer partners that include Valmont, Union Pacific and HDI.

On AI, Jolie said UNO has implemented an “AI learning lab” to upskill faculty and staff; about 1,000 UNO employees were using enterprise generative AI tools, and “over 70 faculty across all six colleges are redeveloping their courses…to include information and hands‑on experiences about AI,” she said.

Jolie also cited UNO’s pathway work with Metropolitan Community College (MCC), noting the transfer pipeline produced a 13% increase in new transfer enrollment last fall and that Nebraska Department of Labor data shows 81% of UNO graduates remain employed in Nebraska one year after graduation and 67% at five years.

Why this matters: With national debate about the value of four‑year degrees, UNO’s presentation framed the campus as broadening credential pathways to meet employer needs and to attract adult learners. Regents said they were pleased with the campus tour and with the work connecting students to local employers.

Board response: Regents applauded the presentation and thanked UNO leaders for the tour. President Gold and several regents emphasized the state and system benefits of workforce retention and the campus’s efforts to make credentials more accessible and aligned to employers.

Ending: UNO asked for regents’ continued support as the campus pursues formal approval for a competency, skills and workforce development hub to be designated an NU center; Jolie said she would seek the board’s support when the proposal is formally filed.