Woman of Many Titles – Karen Weber

Lecturer Karen Weber has been a full time educator at the University of Omaha since 1993. Before she began her teaching career, she attended UNO to get her undergraduate in Journalism and then went on to get her Master of Arts in 1991. Weber thoroughly enjoys every part of being a faculty member at UNO, but has a real love for chairing the School of Communication scholarship committee. She has a drive for making a difference in students’ lives and feels accomplished when she sees students who try really hard and take advantage of every opportunity.

“This sounds corny,” said Weber. “But, they really blossom and set themselves apart from other students.”

Another thing Weber is apart of at UNO is PRSSA. She fell into PR by accident and became the Public Relations Student Society of American (PRSSA) faculty advisor in 1999 where she has stayed ever since. Her PRSSA chapter has won the Outstanding Chapter award in 2009, 2012 and 2015.

These are only a few things Karen Weber has done for the School of Communication. Ultimately, she said she hopes her students take away her passion for learning because she will do whatever she can in and out of the classroom to help them succeed.

Lecturer Karen Weber heads the Public Relations Student Society of America at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

You can find Ms. Karen Weber in the Arts and Sciences building at room 105-A.

Students placed sticky notes on Weber’s office windows congratulating the PRSSA team on their success.

Weber looks over a MavPR Power Point with students Kelly Bast (left) and Trent Ostrom (right).

MavPR Director Kelly Bast explains the Power Point presentation she completed for MavPR.

The PRSSA Chapter has won numerous awards that line the walls of room 105 in Arts and Sciences Hall.

Weber was proud to have her PRSSA Chapter win the Outstanding Chapter award in 2015.

In 2008, Weber received the UNO Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award.

1999 marks the first year that Weber headed PRSSA.

Aside from teaching and running PRSSA, Weber spends time advising Journalism and Communication students.

Abbie Syrek

Many University of Nebraska-Omaha students have the pleasure of knowing lecturer, Abbie Syrek. Syrek is not only an educator at the University, but she is also the Director of Forensics. She is the head coach of UNO’s competitive speech team, MavForensics, who has been recently named the best in the state. Day by day Syrek spends time teaching Public Speaking, Intercollegiate Forensics and Argumentation & Debate classes. Aside from her classes, she works towards preparing members of the forensics team for competition. Her team has received numerous awards, which Syrek places around her office and the forensics lounge. Syrek is readily available to help any of her students and forensics members when they need it. With the amount of compassion she puts into her job, its no wonder Abbie Syrek is such a success.

Students can find lecturer, Abbie Syrek in UNO’s Arts and Sciences building in room 105E.

UNO Director of Forensics, Abbie Syrek, poses for a portrait in the forensics lounge. This is the area where the MavForensics team meet and practice.

In the back room of the forensics lounge, MavForensics members can find feedback from competition in their labeled cubbies.

Abbie Syrek sits down with student, Allegra Hardin to review an outline for an upcoming speech.

Syrek keeps a variety of extra formal suits on hand in the event that someone forgets their competition attire.

Syrek spends time giving feedback to student, Ameres Groves after presenting his speech to her.

Syrek has received numerous awards during her career as an educator and forensics coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Syrek meets with students, Cole Evans (left) and Cameron Logsdon (right) to discuss the details of an upcoming speech competition.

A write up by the Gateway detailed the success of Syrek’s MavForensics team.

MavForensics member, Cameron Logsdon shows off his arête tattoo that symbolizes the code speech team members live by. In short, it means showing and striving for excellence in every aspect of your life.