Community Engagement

Franco's List recipients for fall 2016
Monday, November 21, 2016 Recipients of Franco's List and Give Back. Big. Awards Announced

Franco's List

On Friday, Nov. 18, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan N. Franco and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Character Council awarded 30 students with the Franco’s List distinction. Staff, faculty, and friends and family of the recipients were in attendance as guest speaker Dr. Ann Koopman opened the ceremony with inspirational quotations. Koopman thanked the students for making a positive impact on campus and in the community. 

Read more about Recipients of Franco's List and Give Back. Big. Awards Announced

Students load donation barrels to give back to the Lincoln community
Monday, November 14, 2016 Dare to Care Encourages Students to Collect Food for the Lincoln Community

This November, the Center for Civic Engagement hosted its 12th Dare to Care food drive. Donations to Dare to Care benefit not only the Food Bank of Lincoln, but also OpeN Shelf the current resource for Nebraska students who do not have money to purchase food and other goods. 

Read more about Dare to Care Encourages Students to Collect Food for the Lincoln Community

Friday, October 14, 2016 ASUN Helps Students Register to Vote

Read more about ASUN Helps Students Register to Vote

Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Big Changes in the Community Through Give Back. Big.

Through Give Back. Big., the Center for Civic Engagement provides monetary support to Nebraska students and organizations who want to make a difference but do not have enough financial resources to execute their plans.

“Anyone who has a desire to serve their community can do so, and we can support them in this endeavor through Give Back. Big.,” said graduate student assistant Phillip Foster.

Read more about Big Changes in the Community Through Give Back. Big.

"University of Nebraska-Lincoln students volunteer as part of the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Students Participate in National Day of Service

On Sunday, Sept. 11, more than 40 students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln volunteered at six locations in the Lincoln community to give back in honor of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Project included tasks like cleaning toys at the Lincoln Children’s Museum, picking up litter in Antelope Valley Creek and assisting with landscaping along Lincoln Parks & Recreation bike trails.

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Students assist with 2015 income taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
Friday, August 19, 2016 $1.9 Million in Grants and Sponsorships Fund Student Affairs Programs

Six departments and more than 16 programs in the Division of Student Affairs benefitted from $1,914,646 in grant and sponsorship funds during the 2016 calendar year.

"We are excited to report how successful some of our departments have been in their efforts to gain financial assistance. Most of these funds go directly to help our students,” said Vice Chancellor Juan N. Franco.

Read more about $1.9 Million in Grants and Sponsorships Fund Student Affairs Programs

Global Leadership Retreat multicultural hands with globe
Friday, March 11, 2016 Getting to Know Our Global Neighbors
To help these students succeed in their academic pursuits, Student Affairs provides numerous programs and services designed specifically for international students. From serving a warm meal to welcome the students to assisting with tax preparation and planning cultural education and social networking events, our departments work to create an inclusive environment where international students feel they matter.

Read more about Getting to Know Our Global Neighbors

SUSI students from Africa participate in volunteer projects for Habitat for Humanity and a food bank
Thursday, March 10, 2016 A Shared Learning Experience with Africa
Study of the U.S. Institute of Civic Engagement

When we hear about service learning opportunities, the image of college students from Africa visiting the U.S. to provide service and assistance may seem unusual – but it the just one of unique opportunities presented by the Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement for Student Leaders program.

Read more about A Shared Learning Experience with Africa

ASUN Helps Students Register to Vote

Big Changes in the Community Through Give Back. Big.

Through Give Back. Big., the Center for Civic Engagement provides monetary support to Nebraska students and organizations who want to make a difference but do not have enough financial resources to execute their plans.

“Anyone who has a desire to serve their community can do so, and we can support them in this endeavor through Give Back. Big.,” said graduate student assistant Phillip Foster.

Congressman Leads Democracy Discussion with Students

On Monday, Oct. 24, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry joined a crowd of more than 60 attendees to share his ideas on democracy and answer questions. The event, called The Future of Democracy, was hosted by the Association of Students at the University of Nebraska (ASUN), the Department of Political Science and the Center for Civic Engagement.

Senators Debate on Death Penalty Before the Public Votes

Nebraska State Senators Colby Coash and Beau McCoy debated the death penalty on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in the Centennial Room of the Nebraska Union as a part of the Sorensen Seminar Series, sponsored by the Public Policy Center. The Center for Civic Engagement, the Department of Political Science, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Journalism and Mass Communications co-sponsored the event.

Students Learn About Immigration & Volunteer in Nebraska Communities Over Fall Break

While many were spending fall break at home, relaxing or on vacation, four students joined the Center for Civic Engagement’s Fall Break Service-Study ASB.

“An ASB is an opportunity for students to travel with their peers at a relatively low cost, learn about a community, delve into the culture and history of a community, and then serve that community,” said graduate student Grace Brown, who both planned and attended the ASB.

Dare to Care Encourages Students to Collect Food for the Lincoln Community

This November, the Center for Civic Engagement hosted its 12th Dare to Care food drive. Donations to Dare to Care benefit not only the Food Bank of Lincoln, but also OpeN Shelf the current resource for Nebraska students who do not have money to purchase food and other goods. 

Recipients of Franco's List and Give Back. Big. Awards Announced

Franco's List

On Friday, Nov. 18, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan N. Franco and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Character Council awarded 30 students with the Franco’s List distinction. Staff, faculty, and friends and family of the recipients were in attendance as guest speaker Dr. Ann Koopman opened the ceremony with inspirational quotations. Koopman thanked the students for making a positive impact on campus and in the community. 

MLK Week encourages reflection and rallying

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently celebrated Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and reflected upon the role of his dream in America today. Multiple events in January called upon the university community to perpetuate social justice through education and meaningful conversations.

Keynote Speaker: Ryan Mack

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, students, faculty and staff gathered in the Nebraska Union auditorium for the MLK Week Chancellor’s Program.

Center for Civic Engagement to host Night of Listening

The Center for Civic Engagement, the Association Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN) student government and the College of Arts and Sciences are planning Night of Listening, an event where recognized student organizations (RSOs) and students will share their political hopes and visions with public officials and one another. The discussion will take place Feb. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union Centennial Room. To ensure all student voices are heard, the event is only open to students.

Students share their hopes for the future at the Night of Listening

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, students shared their visions for the future with local representatives at Night of Listening, an event sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement, ASUN, the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services and the College of Arts and Sciences. City Councilpersons Leirion Gaylor-Baird, Carl Eskridge and Jane Raybould were in attendance along with State Sens. John Lowe, Adam Morfeld and Anna Wishart. Sen. Ben Sasse’s outreach coordinator Ryan Broker spoke on his behalf.

Student cooking competition inspires delectable dishes

On Mar. 10, Campus NightLife hosted Foodie Fest, an event that combined a “Chopped” cooking competition with meal preparation demonstrations from Dining Services and a food drive for the Huskers Helping Huskers Pantry+.

Four teams competed in the cooking competition. At the start of the three rounds, hosts gave team members four ingredients to include in the dish they created. Campus NightLife also provided other ingredients. Teams had to create an idea for their dish, cook and plate it within the 30-minute time limit.

Getting to Know Our Global Neighbors

Our students come from all backgrounds and walks of life, but one group with a most unique perspective is international students. Hailing from 129 countries, these students enrich the UNL community with an array of languages, variety of cultural experiences and diverse views.