UNO Student Service and Leadership Collaborative (The collaborative)
annual report
2024-25
INTRODUCTION
The Student Service and Leadership Collaborative (The Collaborative) provides UNO students with opportunities to engage the university with the greater Omaha metropolitan community through action projects that lead to positive social change. The program has been recognized nationally, including receiving the Silver Award for Civic Learning, Democratic Engagement, Service-Learning, Community Service, and related category from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Excellence Awards.
The 2024–25 year was a season of both growth and transition for the Student Service and Leadership Collaborative. Building on a strong foundation, the Collaborative deepened its role as a bridge between UNO students and the Omaha nonprofit community. Over the past year, students contributed thousands of hours of meaningful service through paid internships that not only advanced their professional development but also addressed pressing community needs. These experiences highlighted the Collaborative’s growing reputation as a model for connecting higher education with civic engagement in ways that benefit both students and the community. The Collaborative’s partnerships with local nonprofit organizations expanded this year, bringing new voices, perspectives, and projects into the Collaborative’s orbit. These partnerships helped diversify the kinds of opportunities available to students, from direct service roles to leadership-focused positions, ensuring a broader range of professional pathways and community impact. Recognition of this work within Omaha continued to grow, affirming the Collaborative’s position as a vital contributor to the region’s nonprofit ecosystem. This year also brought important leadership changes. The conclusion of Jeffrey Southall II’s tenure as Associate Director marked the end of a chapter defined by his steady leadership and dedication to equity, student development, and nonprofit partnership. Under his guidance, the Collaborative strengthened its foundation and cultivated an ethos of collaboration and inclusion. His contributions have left a lasting imprint on both the program and the many students and community partners who engaged with him. Looking ahead, the Collaborative enters its next chapter under new leadership. Nicki Allen has been appointed as the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning to lead the Collaborative program. She brings experience, vision, and a strong commitment to student success and community partnership that will guide the program forward. With her leadership—supported by Career Services, faculty champions, and campus partners—the Collaborative is well-positioned to sustain its momentum and to innovate in response to student and community needs. The coming year offers opportunities to build on successes, expand outreach, and continue fostering experiences where students not only grow as professionals but also emerge as engaged citizens who recognize their capacity to make a difference. The accomplishments of this past year are the result of collective effort. Students who embraced the challenge of serving in the nonprofit sector, community organizations who opened their doors and mentored emerging leaders, faculty who encouraged participation, and campus collaborators who provided essential support—all played an important role in the Collaborative’s success. This shared commitment illustrates the strength of the Collaborative model: it thrives because of the belief that education and community engagement are intertwined, and that together they prepare students for purposeful lives and meaningful careers.
{{page}} | STUDENT SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP COLLABORATIVE
About the student service & leadership collaborative
Tre Gould, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Secondary Education Concentration: Youth and Training Nonprofit: NorthStar Project: Assisted in the management and expansion of the High School program and the establishment of a mentoring component. Grace Magisana, Collaborative Student Intern Major: English & Creative Writing Minor: Fiction and Poetry, British/Irish/Anglophone Literature Nonprofit: Nebraska Writers Collective Project: Supported youth literary arts programming through the Nebraska Writers Collective by assisting with poetry workshops, organizing events like Louder Than a Bomb, and promoting creative expression among students across the region. Fayokemi Olawade, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Cybersecurity Nonprofit: Emerging Ladies Academy Project: Assisted in delivering hands-on STEM programming for girls through the Emerging Ladies Academy, including event planning, student engagement, and curriculum support to promote interest in science and technology fields. Nadeen Osman, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Public Health Minor: Ethics, Human Rights Studies Nonprofit: Munroe Meyer Institute Project: Investigated the root causes of childhood hunger in the Omaha metropolitan area in order to create a sustainable and attractive plan/program in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Omaha with the intent to conquer this issue. Huja Sange, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Business Administration Minor: Marketing, Business Analytics Nonprofit: Midlands African Chamber Project: Supported community-based initiatives by helping lead marketing efforts for major events like the Pitch Black Conference and Tech Expo, while also securing sponsorships for programs such as Suit Up, Rising CEOs, and the MAC Scholarship.
Ruby Bugarin-Arce, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Cybersecurity Minor: Computer Science Nonprofit: Project Extra Mile Project: Actively assisted with the organization’s youth engagement and recruitment efforts. Esha Noor Butt, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Psychology Minor: Biology Nonprofit: Education Rights Council Project: Compiled and created a data reporting system for the organization while assisting with various tasks. Anibal Chan, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Creative Writing Minor: Creative Nonfiction Nonprofit: Learning For All Project: Compiled and created a data reporting system for the organization while assisting with various tasks. Dylan Clute, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Studio Art Concentration: Graphic Design Project: Accompanied Program Directors of WhyArts in artists relationships and coordinating workshops for students. Denzell Dial, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Aviation Concentration: Air Transport Administration Nonprofit: The Lehmin Center Project: Assisted the Director of the Lehmin Center in building curriculum and activities that stimulate the faculties of patients who struggle with on-set of early Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Jesus Ruiz Flores, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Business Administration Minor: Real Estate and Land Use Economics Nonprofit: Latino Economic Development Council Project: Assisted the Latino Economic Development Council with community outreach, small business support services, and program coordination to help advance economic opportunities and resources for Latino entrepreneurs and families. Da’Von George, Collaborative Student Intern Major: Studio Art Concentration: Graphic Design Nonprofit: 100 Black Men of Omaha Project: Assisted the organization in the operations of its mentorship program, Saturday School programming, and the Collegiate 100 organization.
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student intern profiles (continued)
student intern profiles
Three Collaborative interns were honored at the 2025 Maverick Student Employment Awards Banquet, highlighting the meaningful impact students are making in the community. Huja Sange, a Business Administration major with minors in Marketing and Business Analytics, received the John Scott Leadership Award. During her internship with the Midlands African Chamber, she helped lead marketing efforts for major events such as the Pitch Black Conference and Tech Expo. Tre Gould, a Secondary Education major concentrating in Youth and Training, earned a Special Recognition Award for his work with NorthStar, where he helped launch a mentoring component to support students’ academic and personal growth.
professional development opportunities
"Reflecting on my nonprofit internship experience with the Latino Economic Development Council, I can confidently say it’s been one of the most transformative parts of my college journey. Being immersed in real community work has helped connect my academic studies to real-world impact. It’s one thing to learn about economic development in the classroom, but it’s another to be directly involved in revitalizing South Omaha and supporting Latino-owned businesses." - Jesus Ruiz Flores, Senior
Collaborative interns had the opportunity to grow as leaders and expand their professional networks through national conference participation this year. Accompanied by Associate Director Jeffrey Southall, II, interns attended the Collegiate 100 Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA, where they connected with peers and professionals committed to mentoring, academic achievement, and community impact. Interns also participated in the IMPACT Conference at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, an event focused on civic engagement, service learning, and social change leadership. These experiences provided valuable exposure to diverse ideas, leadership models, and career pathways that align with the Collaborative’s mission.
student highlights & reflections
"Being a part of the Student Service and Leadership Collaborative has opened so many doors of opportunities that have given me unique experiences that I would've never known about otherwise. It has strengthened my professional development, and I have learned so much throughout my short time with the program via conferences, volunteering, and partnering with local non-profits that aim to improve and sustain the Omaha Community, where I was matched with the Midlands African Chamber, Inc." -Huja Sange, Senior
community RECOGNITION
In addition to individual honors, the Student Service and Leadership Collaborative received external recognition for its impact. At the 30th Celebration Banquet hosted by Project Extra Mile, the Collaborative was presented with the prestigious 2025 Fred Zwonecheck Special Recognition Award in acknowledgment of its outstanding commitment to student leadership and community engagement. Jeffrey Southall, II, is pictured at right receiving the award on behalf of the Collaborative with Project Extra Mile Executive Director Chris Wagner and Coalition Chair Tom Safranek.
Denzell Dial, an Aviation major with a concentration in Air Transport Administration, also received a Special Recognition Award. At The Lehmin Center, he supported the development of curriculum and activities for patients experiencing early onset Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Denzell is pictured above receiving his award alongside UNO Chancellor Joanne Li and Associate Director Jeffrey Southall II. Together, Huja, Tre, and Denzell embody the Collaborative’s mission to connect UNO students with paid, meaningful service opportunities that strengthen both professional skills and community impact.
Student AWARDS
130 CEC
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UCTEMP2020
collaborative.unomaha.edu
UNO STUDENT SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP COLLABORATIVE
Budget Summary
6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182
Revenue Sources
University Funding
$80,068.79
Private Funding
$100,000.00
OPPD SSLC Fund
$2,169.23
OSCR Fund
$2,000.00
Wear Black Give Back Campaign
$1,175.00
402.554.3672
Totals
Budgeted Total
$187,958.02
Actual Expenses
$185,413.02
Expense Category
BUDGETED
ACTUAL
Student Salaries
$ 99,541.58
Staff Salaries
$65,975.00
$63,244.08
Student Leadership & Development
$20,000.00
$21,814.96
Operating Expenses
$1,983.00
$812.40
careers@unomaha.edu