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  6. Momentum: An MCC & UNO Partnership

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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
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, Ph.D.
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
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
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