June 22, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the University of Nebraska. The U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission have formally recognized the joint accreditation of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
This move formally recognizes the long and productive history of our two institutions working together to advance education and research and solve complex challenges in powerful ways that better serve our students, our faculty and staff, and the people of Nebraska.
While you may have heard for some time about steps being taken in this process, please let us explain what this means, what it does not mean, and how it opens the door to a stronger future for our university.
First, this move will allow us to more accurately express the life-changing difference that you – our faculty, researchers, scholars and staff – make to the state of Nebraska every day. It also allows us to represent our collective impacts in the same way as the majority of our Big Ten peers. By reporting key institutional metrics such as enrollment, degrees awarded, faculty honors, and research spending as a combined unit, we will immediately strengthen our national rankings and show a clearer picture of the impact of the University of Nebraska’s scholarship and research.
As an example, the national research expenditures rankings for UNMC and UNL will rise from 131st and 87th respectively, to 55th when reported as a combined University of Nebraska ranking. Federal research expenditure rankings for UNMC and UNL will increase from 120th and 122nd respectively nationally to 62nd. These advancements will help us attract more highly qualified students, attract and retain excellent faculty and staff, and become more competitive for grants and awards.
Next, over time, we will have the opportunity to increase collaboration between the research enterprises within UNL and UNMC, strengthening our land-grant mission and amplifying the transformative power of progress, innovation, and discovery that come from the incredible people within our university.
To facilitate the initial transition process, staff from the respective financial aid, student services, and registrar offices have worked together to meet important U.S. Department of Education requirements, and the chief academic and research officers have begun to explore potential opportunities to leverage current programs and practices. We are currently preparing a joint task force with faculty, staff, and administrative representation from both UNL and UNMC to plan a summit on education and research that will meet this fall. Here, we will discuss opportunities to build on our existing partnerships, begin identifying important additional areas of shared strength, improve our connections, reduce barriers, and recognize more areas we can grow together. Then, in October, we will host members of the Higher Learning Commission to confirm the groundwork we are laying to strengthen this collaboration is the best foundation on which to build for a successful, lasting future.
Let us also be clear that while this partnership means the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission now recognize a combined reporting and accreditation structure between UNL and UNMC, our respective universities have not changed their distinct missions, campus leadership, or shared governance structures. Both universities will continue to feature their distinct academic offerings. Tremendous opportunities await for improved synergies, joint academic programs, and research program collaborations and growth.
At the heart of this process was always a central question: What is best for Nebraska? The Lincoln and Medical Center campuses began as one, sharing an accreditation from 1913 until 1968. This move brings us closer to that original alignment, while maintaining the unique aspects that maintain each campus’ individual identity and focus.
Nebraskans understand the power of partnership. We achieve successes together that we could not attain on our own. By connecting the strengths of UNL and UNMC, the state of Nebraska will be better served through our commitments to address our most complex challenges, empower generations, and shape a future of limitless promise and lasting impact.
The great work you do for our students, the communities we serve and our mission has led us to today, where together we celebrate this welcome news that will drive our university to dream bigger, reach farther, and improve more lives in Nebraska and across the world.
With gratitude,
