Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund awards grant for social work court observation opportunities
Seward, NE (10/07/2026) — Concordia University, Nebraska's Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund recently awarded Professor of Human and Social Sciences Anne Hobbs $4,850 to support the Court Observation Project. The project allows Concordia Nebraska's criminal justice students to travel to court to observe judicial interactions.
Hobbs said the research for this project is based on principles of procedural justice theory, which focuses on the concept that judges and other legal authorities can exercise power over people while still communicating the inherent dignity of that individual. Concordia students will travel to court to observe judicial interactions, and how they influence courtroom environment and participants' behavior or interactional practices.
"Justice is most transformative when we work with people rather than simply do things to them," said Hobbs. "From a Christian standpoint, every person who enters a courtroom should be treated with dignity and respect because each person is created in the image of God."
Hobbs hopes that the Court Observation Project will turn into a Behavioral Sciences Research lab which would allow Concordia faculty and students to partner with a non-profit or government agency to engage in research or provide program evaluation.
Concordia University, Nebraska's Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund was created in 2024 to encourage and celebrate faculty and student scholarship, placing particular focus on the intersection of faith and specific disciplines as well as critical issues in the family, church and world. The grants provide funds to support scholarship, providing resources to guide scholarly efforts. The fund was developed as part of the university's SALT and LIGHT strategic plan.
About Concordia University, Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
###
Media Attachments
Concordia University, Nebraska
Amy Crawford, 402-643-7387, newsdesk@cune.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Sophomore Nathan Lindesmith enjoys internship with Husker Power
- Mark Anschutz '77 creates art piece commemorating Concordia Irvine's 50th anniversary
- Concordia University Wind Symphony to present fall performance
- Three new regents named to Concordia University, Nebraska Board of Regents
- Registration now open for November 2026 courses in Concordia Nebraska's Studia Vitae continuing education program
- Concordia University Vocal Jazz to perform at GPLEC banquet
- Timothy Schwan '72 and Joann (Raschefsky) Schwan '73 serve in retirement with Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry
- Concordia Nebraska Recital Hall organ rededicated after repairs
- Concordia Nebraska University Orchestra welcomes new director
- Trinity Academy accredited by CCLE and NLSA