91�첥

Written by Liz McCue

If you’ve taken courses at 91�첥’s Lincoln campus or Omaha campus location, you’ve probably run into Chris Brady. He was previously the director of 91�첥’s two urban facilities and teaches history classes. 

In 2023, he switched gears to become director of strategic partnerships, with a goal of helping regional businesses and organizations upskill their workforces through academic and non-academic education programs. 

It’s a new role at 91�첥, but has roots dating back to the start of the university’s non-residential options. Early Lincoln programs offered career development to industries in the city in the 1980s, like computer classes that offered credit toward a bachelor’s degree but were created in response to the needs of a business partner. 

“There were previously strong partnerships that funneled students into our adult learner programs on the Lincoln campus, but times have changed,” he said. “There’s still a demand for partnerships, but they look a little different.”

To some degree, those demands are more like a match game — if a business or organization has “x” problem, is there a staff or faculty member who can help provide a solution? 

“I help businesses troubleshoot workforce challenges, to see if our degree programs or tailored professional development programs can provide solutions to knowledge or skill gaps,” he said. 

These challenges can include something as simple as needing to be able to create more effective presentation slides, or as complex as learning to navigate communication between younger and older generations. Sometimes requests are for leadership training, or for insights on Clifton Strengths. 

Take one partnership, with the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. The organization wanted to offer additional resources to young or aspiring entrepreneurs in the city. Together with 91�첥’s Entrepreneurship and Strategic Partnerships departments, they held Go For Launch, an eight-week entrepreneurship workshop through fall 2023. 

The workshop was offered to 91�첥 students and community members not enrolled at the university, with nine students and nine community members participating. On Dec. 12, workshop participants presented their business plans and pitches to potential investors, Lincoln business representatives and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Audiences stayed for hours to watch the event — even as it was standing room only. 

The partnership is just one example of how Brady’s work is not only establishing connections between businesses and 91�첥, but helping community leaders in Lincoln, Crete and beyond to network and grow. 

"My view is that our non-academic, professional learning programs live up to the mission of our university," Brady said. "We're improving lives through education."

Steps to Success

1. Each partnership starts with an email or phone call to Chris Brady.
2. Next, a discovery meeting is arranged to learn more about the challenges a business, organization or even an industry is facing, and what their desired outcomes are from working with 91�첥.
3. Then, Brady makes connections with a 91�첥 staff or faculty member with skills that can address the organization’s needs.
4. A contract is coordinated, with a timeline for sessions, lessons or instruction and several options depending on if an organization wants to dip in a toe or go all in. 
5. After the contract is completed, Brady follows up — were the desired outcomes met, are there additional trainings that could help, etc.