I have a secret. Actually, I have many secrets. While they’re not exactly juicy tabloid fodder, they’re more than front-page worthy. Do I have your attention yet? Good. Because as Regent, I’ve discovered that these three programs are some of the University of Nebraska’s best kept secrets – and they shouldn’t be.

Secret #1: M.O.R.E. is More

It stands for Mobile Operating Room Experience. It’s a state-of-the-art training lab fitted with an ER, ambulance bay, and even moving, talking “dummies” that act as patients. It’s changing lives. Oh yeah, and it’s on wheels. Housed in a semi-truck and funded by a grant, this specialized lab can roll into any little town or rural area to provide much-needed medical training to local hospitals and fire departments. Did I mention that because it’s funded by a grant, it’s also free.

We’re talking about a necessary service here – a high-tech, much-needed, mobile training oasis in the medical desert. What M.O.R.E. do you need?

Secret #2: There’s Just Something About Yoga Balls

You may already know that University of Nebraska has an excellent record for teacher training. You may also know that there’s a town called Kearny about three hours’ drive from Omaha. And I assume you’ve heard of yoga balls. We’re off to a good start. Did you know that one of the Education professors at the Kearney campus (yes, it exists) conducted an experiment in elementary school classes with – you guessed it – yoga balls?

One local 2nd grade class was given yoga balls to sit on as chairs, a different 2nd grade class was given extra recess, and a third 2nd grade class went about business as usual. The idea was to study the behaviors of all three classes to determine whether the yoga balls had any effect on the students’ performances. Spoiler alert: they did. The kids on the yoga balls – having a consistent, non-distracting outlet for their excess energy – outperformed their classmates and had an easier time focusing on the class. Imagine what schools across the state could do with this study – if only they knew about it.

Bottom line: education is innovation.

Secret #3: Rolling in Green

How would you feel about riding horses to school? Being on a rodeo team? More importantly, how would you feel about having a guaranteed job upon graduation in a field you care about? Sounds like a pipe dream in this economy, right? Well if you’re interested in agriculture or becoming a veterinarian, our tiny campus in Curtis, Nebraska is where such pipe dreams come true.

This exceptional program teaches students everything they need to know about ranching and farming, but also critical technical skills like how to fix a center pivot irrigation system. Think about it – if you’re out in the middle of nowhere and your system goes down, you’re going to have to wait forever to get it fixed… unless you know how to fix it yourself. Save time, save money, save your business. Companies, ranchers, and vet’s offices are waiting in line for this program’s graduates because – get this – there are only three hundred students. The only reason this program can’t host more interested students is because it’s on the campus of an old boy’s tech school and the University could only afford sprinklers for one dorm. Sprinklers.

These are just three of University of Nebraska’s many innovative and dynamic programs that have the potential to make some major waves in Nebraskans’ lives and communities. The first step: someone has to hear about it.

Secret’s out. And that’s a good thing.

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.