Sara Woods received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the UNO Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women at the UNO Spring 2013 Awards Luncheon.
Yes we are! Sara Woods, the Phoenix Academy Board of Directors President, and new Assistant to the Sr. Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement at UNO, is the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award from the UNO Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women. Sara was presented the award at the Spring 2013 Awards Luncheon on March 27th.
In a speech given before the award presentation one of her former students shared that Sara provides inspirational leadership and serves as a champion for students and faculty who are engaging with the community. Sara has made a significant impact as a mentor and roll model for women in the community and for students on campus. Sara has served as Chair and Board Member of the Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha and as President of the Non-profit Association of the Midlands.
Sara has served on many other boards. Besides serving on the Phoenix Academy board, she currently serves on the board for the “NE Children and Family Foundation” and the “Financial Hope Collaborative”.
Sara has been at UNO as a student or staff leader since the 1970’s. Sara has devoted countless hours to UNO programs such as Democracy Matters and the UNO Continual Committee. She also teaches a Grant Writing course and team-teaches a Philanthropy and Democracy course.
One of the letters nominating Sara for the award stated, “Sara Woods is among the most influential and highly respected women role models at UNO. The women of our community and the women of UNO have greatly benefited from her leadership.
When receiving the award Sara remarked it was a real honor to be selected. She said that many of the women previously honored were her personal mentors making the award even more meaningful. When asked what she loves best about UNO, Sara said, “the wonderful learning environment and the great relationships with students, faculty, staff and administrators who are willing to share their knowledge. UNO is truly a wonderful place to be and I would not want to be anywhere else.”
We congratulate Sara on her award and we are proud to have her as our Board President!