Instant Insight
30-Second Take
- UNO launches groundbreaking environmental justice initiative through Tell All the Truth Project
- Community celebration showcases semester-long student research on food security
- Project receives prestigious Mellon Foundation funding among 26 selected initiatives
+ Dive Deeper
Quick Brief
Essential Context
The University of Nebraska Omaha’s Tell All the Truth Project culminates its latest phase with “Sprouting Justice,” a community celebration highlighting environmental justice and food security initiatives. The project, selected from 280 applicants for Mellon Foundation funding, demonstrates the intersection of academic research and community action.
Core Players
- Kristin Girten, Ph.D. – Project Director
- UNO Department of English
- Mellon Foundation
- Local Community Partners
Key Numbers
- 26 of 280 – Projects selected for Mellon funding
- 100+ Students involved in environmental justice research
- 3 Academic departments collaborating
- 12 Community organizations participating
+ Full Analysis
Full Depth
The Catalyst
Growing concerns about environmental justice and food security in Omaha sparked this innovative academic-community partnership. The initiative bridges classroom learning with practical community action.
Inside Forces
Faculty from English, History, and Sociology departments collaborate to provide interdisciplinary perspectives on environmental challenges. Student researchers engage directly with community members to understand local food security issues.
Power Dynamics
The project empowers students and community members to address environmental justice through collaborative research and action. Local organizations provide crucial insights and implementation support.
Outside Impact
The initiative has strengthened university-community relationships and created sustainable solutions for local food security challenges. Student projects directly influence local policy discussions.
Future Forces
Planned expansions include:
- Additional community partnerships
- Expanded curriculum integration
- New research initiatives
- Regional collaboration opportunities
Data Points
- Fall 2024: Project launch and initial research
- 12 Student-led environmental initiatives
- 15 Community workshops conducted
- 3 Academic departments involved
- 200+ Community participants
As environmental justice concerns grow nationally, UNO’s Tell All the Truth Project demonstrates how academic institutions can effectively partner with communities to address critical social and environmental challenges.
