By Paxton DeVault OMAHA, Neb. – Creative energy is on the rise at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Enrollment in the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, known as CFAM, is climbing, and that growth is having an impact far beyond campus.
At UNO’s CFAM, creativity meets career preparation. Students combine academic learning with real-world experience in programs such as journalism, radio, design and film.
This year, the college achieved an 88% student retention rate and a 38% increase in enrollment for its Master of Fine Arts in writing program, showing that more students are pursuing careers in creative media fields.
Dr. Paige Toller, a professor at UNO’s School of Communication, said CFAM’s success stems from its mix of hands-on learning and strong ties to Omaha’s arts and media scene.
“Our classes are geared toward practical applications,” Toller said. “In the school of arts, there’s a lot of creativity, whether it’s through writing or composing, acting, creating original pieces of art — but, you know, it’s just overall a creative place or institution.”
Toller said Omaha’s size and opportunities give students a living classroom to explore their fields beyond the university walls.
“Omaha is our classroom in many ways,” she said. “We have students that are doing internships all over the city and even outside of the city, you know, like KETV or the Omaha World-Herald.”
CFAM’s connection to Omaha’s creative industries plays a crucial role in retaining local talent. As enrollment continues to grow, the college is becoming a driving force in Omaha’s creative economy — preparing students who will stay, work and create in the community.
For UNO alum Avarie Howard, now a senior social strategist at Hurrdat Sports, that hands-on experience was crucial in launching her career.
“I actually took a radio class that connected me with a lot of people who helped me get on a great path in sports media,” Howard said. “I just think that it’s really cool that people are seeing the avenues that are possible for people within creative media, within communications.”
Howard said she’s proud to see more students finding their place in creative fields — and believes the growth benefits Omaha’s entire media landscape.
“I think it’s really exciting for Omaha that a lot of people are enrolling and having a huge interest in this,” she said. “I think a lot of it, at the root, is how we make others feel — and I think that’s something really special.”
With more students gaining hands-on experience and building professional connections, CFAM is helping strengthen Omaha’s arts, media and communication industries — creating a new pipeline of local talent ready to contribute to the community. UNO leaders expect CFAM’s enrollment and retention to continue rising as more students explore careers in the arts, media and communications.
Leave feedback about this