About the Project
Momentum: An MCC & UNO Partnership is a collaborative initiative designed to create a seamless and omnidirectional transfer experience for students between Metropolitan Community College (MCC) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
The project builds upon years of institutional collaboration to transform the transfer experience by aligning processes, curricula, and communication across both institutions.
Objectives
- Build shared pathways with aligned curricula
- Increase retention through best practices
- Build and deploy systems for collaboration
Momentum Structure
Momentum Council
The Momentum Council provides strategic leadership and coordination for the initiative. It consists of the Executive Committee and the Co-Chairs of the five TAG Teams, representing both MCC and UNO.
Executive Committee
Jason Browning, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success jasonbrowning@unomaha.edu
Maria Vazquez, Ph.D.
Vice President, Student Affairs mvazquez@mccneb.edu
Sammi Kaiser, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success skkaiser@unomaha.edu
Chris Swanson
Associate Vice President of Mission Advancement and Strategic Resources csswanson@mccneb.edu
Tom McDonnell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs tjmcdonnell3@mccneb.edu
Matt Tracy, Ph.D.
Senior Director of General Education, Academic Assessment and Dual Enrollment mtracy@unomaha.edu
Garrett Gassman
Executive Director, MCC & UNO Transfer Excellence ggassman@unomaha.edu
TAG Teams
TAG Teams are cross-institutional working groups advancing key components of transfer excellence. They build upon the strong foundation of transfer-focused work already established at MCC and UNO, bringing intentional coordination and sustaining progress over time.
TAG Team Roles
- Taskers: Execute tasks and move projects forward
- Activators: Spark action, break barriers, and sustain momentum
- Galvanizers: Rally others, promote the vision, and build enthusiasm
Academic (Pathways) TAG Team
Purpose: Expand and strengthen academic pathways to ensure students save time, reduce cost, and experience a seamless route between institutions.
Cathy Brunkhorst
Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Assessment cmbrunkhorst@mccneb.edu
Susan Stiles
Curriculum and Transfer Specialist sstiles@unomaha.edu
Business and Finance TAG Team
Purpose: Ensure financial success for transfer students by developing sustainable strategies supporting access, affordability, and alignment of financial resources.
Tammy Goldsberry
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Budget and Financial Analysis tgoldsberry@unomaha.edu
Stacey Mapp
Director of Financial Aid and Campus Operations sjmapp@mccneb.edu
Data and Infrastructure TAG Team
Purpose: Align and integrate systems to improve shared access to student data and support seamless academic progression.
Eric Wingert
Director, Application & Development Services ewingert@nebraska.edu
Bob Goeman, Ed.D.
Chief Information Officer bgoeman@mccneb.edu
Student Support TAG Team
Purpose: Promote belonging, retention, and student success through coordinated advising and co-curricular engagement.
Jonathan Acosta
Director, Student Success Applications & Advising jacosta@unomaha.edu
Hollie Knake, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs hlknake@mccneb.edu
Communications TAG Team
Purpose: Develop and implement a shared branding and communications strategy for the Momentum initiative.
Emma Frazier
Strategic Factotum efrazier@mccneb.edu
Sam Peshek
Director, Editorial Media Relations speshek@unomaha.edu
Momentum Grant-Connected Staff
Nick Zimmerman
Transfer Coordinator/Advisor nickzimmerman@unomaha.edu
Claire Watsabaugh
Transfer Coordinator/Advisor cwatsabaugh@unomaha.edu
Jozlyn Luckett
Transfer Operations Coordinator jluckett@unomaha.edu
Nicole Bednar
Academic Coordinator – Transfer Pathways nbednar1@mccneb.edu
Kryan Connor
Executive Director, South Omaha Campus kconnor3@mccneb.edu
Alyssa Wiese
Success Navigator awiese@mccneb.edu
Whitney Van Arsdall
Success Navigator wevanarsdall@mccneb.edu
Alli Devney
Assistant Director, Durango’s Advance and Support Hub – anazorek@unomaha.edu
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding Momentum: An MCC & UNO Partnership, please contact: Garrett Gassman
Executive Director, MCC & UNO Transfer Excellence ggassman@unomaha.edu