2018-2019 CBA Scholars Academy Annual Report

U N I V E R S I T Y OF N E B R A S K A AT O M A H A

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2018 -2019

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

CONTENTS

Dear Supporters and Members of the Academy,

MISSION AND HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

We did it! The Scholars Academy now has its first alumni. In December 2018, three Scholars walked across the stage at commencement and became the first Scholars to graduate from the University and the Academy. In May, another 10 followed them across the stage. Their paths vary widely – from law school to career fields, from Omaha to Denver. They each had to weigh carefully multiple job offers and graduate school admissions. To say I am proud of their successes is an understatement!

COURSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Seeing the Scholars soar into their new careers has been the most satisfying aspect of my job. It seems like we just held the very first day of interviews, and now the Scholars within that group of nervous high school seniors are working in and outside Omaha, pursuing graduate degrees, and giving back to the Academy as mentors this next year.

In addition to graduating our first Scholars, we also increased the minimum scholarship from $4,000 to $5,000, implemented a new peer mentor program, and visited more businesses within the Omaha and surrounding communities than ever before. Numerous Scholars from all cohorts earned so many awards and accolades from all sorts of organizations that I created a page just to recognize them. Scholars also traveled the world for a wide variety of reasons. The drive to be a world citizen that so many Scholars embody makes me proud.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 STUDY ABROAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ACADEMY COACH PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 COHORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2015 2016 2017 2018

NEW CLASS (2019 COHORT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SCHOLAR TRAVELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 RETREATS (FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 APPLICATION PROCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SUPPORT THE ACADEMY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

I hope reading about the exciting milestones the Scholars passed this year inspires you, just like they inspire me every day.

To another great year!

Bethany Hughes Director, CBA Scholars Academy

1

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

2

MISSION The CBA Scholars Academy invests in the present and future of high-achieving business students. We are equipping Scholars to make a positive impact in their communities by providing challenging coursework in the classroom, connections to businesses and thought-leaders in the field, and unique opportunities for growth in self-awareness.

HISTORY The Scholars Academy meets these goals by providing: • Courses taught by award-winning faculty, that the Scholars complete throughout their four years in the Academy.

• Room for organic relationships and mentorship by matching Scholars to business professionals for a year-long mentorship program.

• Space and support for student-led community service projects each year.

• An annual scholarship of at least $5,000 to each Scholar to help with tuition costs.

An honors-program specifically for business students was the long-time vision of former Dean Louis Pol and CBA faculty. Following financial gifts from the Virginia Pettengill Estate, Carl Mammel, and Dennis and Ruth Duffy, that dream began to take shape in summer 2014 with the hiring of the first director.

After nearly a year of developing programming and recruiting high school seniors, the director and faculty committee selected the first cohort of 20 incoming freshmen in spring 2015. Additional cohorts of 20 have been added every year, and the Academy has maintained a retention rate of more than 90%.

The first Scholars graduated from the College of Business Administration in December 2018 with more following in May 2019.

• A study abroad trip junior year, offset by a generous stipend.

• Annual retreats for each cohort to build community.

3

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

4

SCHOLARS ACADEMY COURSES

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

As part of the Academy, Scholars enroll in small, specialized courses. The cohort courses combine community engagement, guest speakers, case studies, research, and international travel to enhance the educational experience for students who want to be challenged within a close-knit community.

Seven CBA Scholars were inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma in spring 2019! To be invited, a student must be in the top 10% of the junior or senior class at CBA. The minimum GPA this year was 3.85 for juniors and 3.875 for seniors.

Scholars Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma in 2019: • Jorden Hansen • Megan Henderson

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY SEMINAR Instructor: Bethany Hughes Fall (Freshman Year): In the fall, freshmen in the CBA Scholars Academy enroll in a zero-credit hour seminar course, taught by the Scholars Academy director. This course provides Scholars the opportunity to learn about their Gallup Strengths, network with other CBA Scholars and staff, and create strategies for connecting with business professionals.

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING I Instructor: Jillian Poyzer Fall (Sophomore Year): Accounting 2010 covers basic concepts and assumptions underlying financial accounting; basic structure of accounting; the accounting cycle; external financial statements of the enterprise with emphasis on the corporation; income determination; accounting for and reporting of assets, liabilities and owners’ equity; analysis and reporting of cash flows; and financial statement analysis.

MICROECONOMICS

ETHICS

Instructor: Jamie Wagner, Ph.D.

Instructor: Amy Rodie, Ph.D.

Spring (Freshman Year):

Fall (Junior Year):

Microeconomics is an introduction to economic principles, decision making and policies affecting product and resource markets. Particular emphasis is on price, output and input decisions by individuals and firms under various market conditions and it is an introduction to the fundamentals of international trade.

Students learn about the factors, opportunities and pressures that lead to ethical dilemmas, and develop their understanding of foundations and processes that encourage and reward ethical decision-making and behaviors. Examples sourced from case studies and current events are provided.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDY ABROAD Instructor: Tej Adidam, Ph.D. Spring (Junior Year): The purpose of this course is to provide students with an international business and cultural experience through a study tour in a selected international location. Students develop an understanding of the factors that affect international business decisions by visiting American companies operating abroad and foreign companies that export goods and services to the U.S.

• Samantha Langford • Jakob Mach

• Samuel McDermott • Alison Raszler

• Brad Stuthman

• Mackenzie Jung • Trevor Koger • Dylan Loerts • Zac Marquess

• Karina Pisetsky • Zach Tabor • Christopher Winchester • Samantha Young

Scholars Previously Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma: • McKenzie Bruce • Christian Dauel • RJ Dechow • Brianna Eisert

• Alejandra Escobar • Philip Faughn • Emelia Getzfrid • Dominika Jedinak

CBA AWARDS

UNO AWARDS

CBA Capstone Poster Competition Winner: Christopher Winchester

Senior Vice Chancellor Award: Christopher Winchester

Dean’s Award: Christopher Winchester Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key: Emelia Getzfrid and Christopher Winchester Charlie Hoff CBA Outstanding Student of the Year: Christopher Winchester Economics: Dominika Jedinak Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Christopher Winchester

Dean’s List and Chancellor’s Lists Dean’s List: Students must earn a minimum of 12 quality hours with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in a given fall or spring semester for full-time students.

Chancellor’s List: Students must earn a minimum of 12 quality hours with a minimum GPA of 4.0 in a given fall or spring semester for full-time students.

International Business: Brianna Eisert

Fall 2018: 23 Scholars on the Dean’s List; 27 on the Chancellor’s List

Investment Science & Portfolio Management: Caleb Moyer

Spring 2019: 28 on the Dean’s List; 24 on the Chancellor’s List

Management: Christopher Winchester

OTHER AWARDS

Marketing: Christopher Winchester

Harry S. Truman Fellowship Finalist: Alejandra EscobarSerrano

Supply Chain Management: Alison Raszler

Newman Civic Fellowship: Maria Perez Hernandez 2019 Nebraska Women of Today State Presidential Medallion: Rachelle Rice

5

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

6

STUDY ABROAD

AUSTRIA, GERMANY, AND ITALY

From boarding the plane in Omaha to when we landed back in the states a week and a half later, I was able to learn so much while on this trip. It has opened my eyes to many cultural, economic, and professional differences between the United States and Austria and Germany. I cannot wait to explore more and immerse myself in many other cultures.

– McKenzie Bruce This trip has definitely impacted my personal career goals in the future. I love working for myself and I have always wanted to start my own digital marketing company with a focus on content creation and influencer work. In the next 20 years, I envision myself doing exactly that. This trip has reinforced my desire to continue working for myself. I want to be able to travel the world, try new things and find new experiences—just as I did on this trip.

– Victoria Eremeeva The combination of visiting businesses and meeting people in these two countries helped me understand some of the trends affecting the world today. Issues like increasing access to new technology and environmentally sustainable development are prevalent in Austria, Germany, and the United States. In Germany and Austria, we saw companies focusing on innovation and the wellbeing of the earth. Both countries are known to produce machinery and motor parts, and business leaders are focusing on how to create the newest technology while reducing carbon emissions and not damaging the environment. As the earth suffers through climate change and global warming, it is now an expectation for companies to consider the triple-bottom-line when making business decisions. Even in our visits, the representatives from BMW and Loacker shared that they consider the environment while making some of their business decisions.

– Alejandra Escobar

7

As a hopeful future business owner, I know that global forces are always a factor. I believe studying abroad has helped me gain more patience and understanding for those with cultural, and especially, language barriers. One behavior from Europe that I intend to use in my current life is taking more time to do things. The culture there is much less rushed, and I appreciated that difference. Overall, traveling to Europe was a fantastic experience and I do hope to have another opportunity to do so in the future!

– Sami Langford This trip impacted my understanding of the trends and forces affecting the world today by giving me a greater insight into the cultural and political nature of Europe. Euro-US interactions are some of the biggest influencing factors on today’s world and being able to greater understand the forces behind the latter half has helped me gain a greater insight into the overall system. I have begun to understand why Europe has many different foreign policies than the U.S., an issue I gained a lot of insight from listening to the Foreign Minister of Austrian Affairs. I was also able to see firsthand how companies outside of the U.S. operate, which allowed for a greater comparison of the similarities and differences between what forces are driving businesses locally from those that are global.

– Dylan Loerts This trip opened my eyes to business abroad in ways I could not have imagined. I am forever thankful for the time Dr. Adidam and Bethany invested into making this trip what it is. I appreciate greatly the meaningful visits, the discussions on the bus, and the care each student felt along the way. I walked away from the trip with a full heart and a mind more open than when I left.

– Lauren O’Malley

ITINERARY Saturday, May 4 Depart Omaha.

Sunday, May 5 Arrive in Munich, Germany.

Travel by bus to Innsbruck, Austria.

Monday, May 6 Tours of Management Center Innsbruck and Grassmayr Bell Foundry.

Tuesday, May 7 Case study and presentation with MCI graduate students.

Wednesday, May 8 Corporate visit to Loacker in Bozen, Italy.

Thursday, May 9 Corporate visit to Tirol Werbung.

Friday, May 10 Corporate visit to Swarco. Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. Drive to Munich.

Saturday, May 11 Visit to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles in southern Bavaria.

Sunday, May 12 Guided tour of Munich, Germany.

Monday, May 13 Free day.

Tuesday, May 14 Corporate visit to BMW. Wednesday, May 15 Return to Omaha.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

8

SCHOLARS ACADEMY COACH PROGRAM The Scholars Academy is always committed to making sure that Scholars can learn from business professionals in the Omaha community.

From September to April, the Academy Coach program allows Scholars to receive guided mentorship. Each coach meets with two Scholars once a month. These meetings provide Scholars the opportunity to seek advice and guidance from their coaches, build professional connections, improve their skills, and discover possible career paths after graduation.

ACADEMY COACHES CAME FROM THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:

This year, I was extremely fortunate to be connected with Matt Ondrejko, Valmont Industries Vice President of Global Marketing, as my 2018-19 Scholars Academy Mentor.

In the time that I knew Matt, I secured an international business internship at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Matt was happy for me and supportive from the get-go. As I gained more experience in my role, Matt became a colleague as well as a mentor in my biggest project of all: putting together international programming for

In addition to mentoring Scholars, coaches plan business visits that large groups of Scholars can attend during the academic year. Scholars learn more about the culture, internships, and opportunities available at key organizations. Business visits usually involve company tours, panel discussions with directors and managers, and more.

Nebraska's largest trade show, Husker Harvest Days. On hearing that I was taking lead on such a big project that happened to fall exactly within Valmont's core industry, Matt jumped at the chance to see me and my event succeed by offering full, multi-thousand dollar corporate sponsorship from Valley Irrigation, a Valmont company. As I progress

These are the 14 businesses our Scholars visited this year:

in my career, I look forward to continue to leverage the relationships I have made in the

Sept. 7: Dundee Bank

Nov. 30: First Data

March 8: LinkedIn

Sept. 13: Union Pacific

Jan. 25: Green Plains

March 28: Mutual of Omaha

Sept. 27: BKD

Jan. 31: Cintas

April 5: NorthStar Financial Services

Oct. 5: Valmont

Feb. 14: Lozier

April 11: Lincoln Financial Group

Oct. 19: TekBrands

Feb. 28: KPMG

Scholars Academy.

ADRIENNE CAVILL 2015 Scholar matched with Matt Ondrejko, Vice President Global Marketing, Valmont

DOUGLAS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

My academy coach has impacted my life in a profound way this past year. As a student who soaks knowledge up like a sponge, Pat provided me with many opportunities to learn and absorb a plethora of business, professional, and life advice from him and his experiences, but also the experiences of other business executives and professionals from the community. Pat not only shares advice and experiences to help us grow as students and young professionals, but he is committed to helping us succeed in our life adventures whether that be job interviews, networking opportunities, or business connections for future use. Throughout the past year, as a mentor, Pat has helped bridge the gap between college and real-world opportunities and has made the transition a lot less daunting.

MEGAN HENDERSON 2017 Scholar matched with Pat Groves, Sr. Director of Talent Management, Valmont

Zach Reinhardt has been a true blessing throughout my college career. He has eased many of my anxieties and pushed me to pursue my goals. He is always looking for ways to assist me with my career endeavors and connect me with his colleagues in the Omaha Real Estate community. I have loved learning from him and getting to know him throughout the past two years.

GABBY ESTIVO 2015 Scholar matched with Zach Reinhardt, Financial Analyst & Real Estate Broker, Burlington Capital

9

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

10

2015 COHORT SEBASTIAN BARBOSA BSBA Concentration: • International Business, Marketing BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management Leadership and Involvement: • ALAS • Student Marketing Association

ADRIENNE CAVILL BSBA Concentration: • International Business • Management • Marketing Majors Outside of CBA: • International Studies (Global Strategic Studies, International Business & Leadership) Leadership and Involvement: • UNO Global Diplomats

CHRISTIAN DAUEL BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management Majors Outside of CBA: • Mathematics Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Financial Management Association • Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) • Pi Kappa Alpha

RJ DECHOW BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets • Business Finance • Investment Science & Portfolio Management Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Kappa Kappa Psi

11

Who is the person who has influenced you the most?

My hero and person who has influenced me the most is my mother. Her dedication, perseverance and ethical responsibility are characteristics that I have admired my entire life. She is the kind of person who, if she does not know something, will research and learn how to do it. She never surrenders or puts her head down; instead, she is always positive and tries to find a solution to every problem she encounters. I know that I am so far from being my mom and the amazing person she is, but if I get to be at least 50 percent of the person she is, I will call myself a successful individual and professional.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

My advice for current Scholars is to always be doing something that you are truly excited about instead of just doing what looks good on a resume.

Take a class or join a group outside of CBA just because it looks interesting.

Find a volunteer or research project that seems exciting, and if you can't find one, CREATE one. Challenge yourself to learn something that most people don't know. If you want to do something, DO IT. I know how busy we always feel, but the biggest blessing of college is just how flexible our time and schedules can be. Go see something. Take a road trip, study abroad. Study abroad five times if you want (I did). Whatever you do, make sure you are challenged, excited, and focused on growing into the person you want to be.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

This program has allowed me to get to know more highly motivated students in the CBA than I think I would have ever met. Before the program, I never really thought about moving outside of Nebraska or attending graduate programs at universities outside of Nebraska. The hard-working and motivated students I have met through this program have inspired me to “go for it” and not settle for something that I would ultimately be fine with, but maybe not completely fulfilled from a career perspective.

BRIANNA EISERT BSBA Concentration: • Marketing BSBA Secondary Concentration: • International Business, Marketing Majors Outside of CBA: • International Studies (International Business & Leadership) Minors Outside of CBA: • Spanish Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Delta Sigma Pi • University Honors Program • Student Marketing Association • Students for Microenterprise Development (President)

GABRIELLE ESTIVO BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Real Estate & Land Use Economics BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management Leadership and Involvement: • Chi Omega (Executive Treasurer) • Chi Omega Sorority • Rho Epsilon

PHILLIP FAUGHN BSBA Concentration: • Accounting Majors Outside of CBA: • Management Information Systems (Systems Development, IT Audit & Control) Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Alpha Psi • Beta Gamma Sigma

What are your ultimate career goals?

My career goal is to become a financial planner and help people save and prepare for retirement. This has been a goal of mine since high school and while I will not be starting in this field right away after college, I do plan to make the switch to financial planning in the next 5 to 10 years. Right now, most of the people I know are college students like myself who do not need a financial planner. Once they begin to get married, have kids, buy a house, etc., then having a financial planner will make more sense and that is when I will make the transition.

Who is the person who has influenced you the most?

My parents have influenced me the most. They've supported all my crazy dreams and goals and have pushed me to stick with them even when I get discouraged. They're the ones who actually inspired me to begin traveling.

From studying abroad to living abroad after graduation, they have never tried to persuade me to go in a different direction with my career. My parents have given me the tools to explore the world while still being here to come home to.

STEPHANIE FREUND BSBA Concentration: • Accounting BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management, Real Estate & Land Use Economics

What is your favorite quote and why?

“I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again” -F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is my favorite quote because it is a continual reminder that it is never too late to do whatever you want to do or be whoever you want to be. Life is about succeeding, failing, and accepting that you are going to make mistakes. I think it is so important not to put a time limit on yourself and realize that you are the only person who can let yourself be who you are or who you are going to be.

What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

I think the experiences that have been the most valuable for me were the gatherings that allowed the Scholars in my cohort to get closer. Experiences like the retreats, study abroad, group classes, and holiday parties allowed me to build lifelong connections with people I probably wouldn’t have if I wasn’t in the Scholars Academy since we pursued a variety of concentrations and often do not take the same classes. The connections that I made through these different experiences will benefit me throughout my career and have allowed me to make some of my best friends in college.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

Coming into college, I did not know near as much about the accounting profession, and business community in general. Through this program, I connected with many mentors in the accounting profession who helped me discover career opportunities in and outside the industry. These mentorships also helped me connect what I was learning in school to reallife situations, making it easier to learn. Also through mentorships, I learned about an internship that gave me insight as to the specific area and firm size of the public accounting industry that would best fit me. I know I will be leaving college with a network of professors, peers and mentors.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

12

2015 COHORT EMELIA GETZFRID BSBA Concentration: • Accounting Leadership and Involvement: • Alpha Xi Delta (VP, Member Development)

RHYS HANSEN BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management Leadership and Involvement: • Maverick Investment Program • Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) • Pi Kappa Alpha • Student Government (Senator) • Student Marketing Association

DOMINIKA JEDINAK BSBA Concentration: • Economics BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Economics Club • Omicron Delta Epsilon • Phi Kappa Phi • Students for Microenterprise Development (VP of Communications) • UNO College Democrats • University Honors Program

MACKENZIE JUNG BSBA Concentration: • Human Resource Management, Management Minors Outside of CBA: • Management Information Systems Leadership and Involvement: • Alpha Xi Delta (Chapter Life VP) • Beta Gamma Sigma • Goodrich Scholarship Program • Phi Kappa Phi

13

If you had to choose the three most memorable experiences or moments in the program, what would those be?

Spending two weeks in Germany with my cohort was a lifetime experience.

We not only learned a ton about business there, but we also learned a ton about each other. We got to know one another on a different level after spending all day every day with each other. The sophomore retreat was also great; we were able to bond with one another and set goals for our cohort as a group. Lastly, Applied Leadership was another great memory.

My team hosted an event where students could come and make pillowcases for kids at Children’s Hospital. I loved the free rein of being able to decide what project we wanted to do and being able to make it personal.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

More than anything, I will miss the group I survived college with.

At the beginning, it was a competition, but as the years progressed and we matured, we developed connections and relationships that have the potential to last a lifetime. It was truly an amazing gift to be pushed by such a diverse and challenging group.

TREVOR KOGER BSBA Concentration: • Accounting BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management Majors Outside of CBA: • Mathematics Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Delta Sigma Pi • Students for Microenterprise Development • Math Club

ZACHARY MARQUESS BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Economics, Investment Science & Portfolio Management BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Maverick Investment Program

What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

The first is teaching at Marrs Magnet Middle School. This was a big project that my cohort was involved in our first year in the Academy. I value education and teaching the future generations, and I am glad that I got to experience this first-hand. The second valuable experience was traveling to Germany as a cohort. This experience allowed me to visit a part of the world that I hadn’t seen before and visit places that I never would have thought to go but ended up loving. I often think about the experience and value the time that we spent together as a cohort.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

First and foremost, this program has helped me set my sights even higher.

By being surrounded by high-achieving individuals, setting challenging goals and high expectations has become a norm. It has helped push me academically and professionally, and without this program, I know I would not have achieved quite as much as I have today.

SPENCER MARXSEN BSBA Concentration: • Supply Chain Management BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management

CALEB MOYER BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

I have always had an interest in data, which led me to pursue a double major in mathematics and business administration. What I was unsure of was how this interest could result in my future career. The Scholars Academy afforded me the opportunity to visit several businesses in Omaha with a variety of business-related careers. As a result of these visits, I discovered a company that is dedicated to data analytics education and will give me the opportunity to develop my skills in this fast-growing field.

What Academy experiences have been most valuable to you?

The experiences that have been most valuable to me are the comradery building moments sprinkled in over the past four years. I still very distinctly and fondly remember the college and career success class from freshman year where we talked about our goals and aspirations with our cohort.

Friendships were formed over simple conversations and icebreaker games.

Fast forward a few years, and I got to travel across the world with those very same close friends. It truly was an experience I could never forget.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The Scholars Academy helped me build the connections and the confidence that I needed to pursue my career goals. I met so many amazing people through the Academy and each one of them had an impact on me. Whether it be through mentors, other Scholars, or professors, there was always another valuable lesson to learn.

What is your favorite quote? Why? “If you want to look good in front of thousands, you have to outwork thousands in front of nobody” –Damian Lillard. This is my favorite quote because anyone who is successful knows it doesn’t just happen. Hours and hours of hard work go into becoming successful no matter what it is you are doing.

Being a person who wants to be at the top of a company someday, I know there will be a lot of hard work to get there and I can’t wait to do it!

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

14

2015 COHORT (CONTINUED) KARINA PISETSKY BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management

2016 COHORT What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

The experiences most valuable to me in the Scholars Academy have actually been in the classroom. Taking classes each semester with my cohort allowed us to build strong connections that allowed us to collaborate AND compete with each other in ways a traditional classroom environment does not allow.

Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Maverick Investment Program

ALYSSA WIESE BSBA Concentration: • Economics BSBA Secondary Concentration: • International Business Minors Outside of CBA: • Communication Studies, Psychology, IndustrialOrganizational Psychology Leadership and Involvement: • Thompson Learning Community • University Honors Program • Yarn Society (President)

What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

The mentor program has been especially helpful to me. These mentors gave me invaluable advice about post-graduate studies and which career paths might be optimal for me. They also connected me to other professionals in the Omaha area, helping me to expand my professional network. I’ve also enjoyed the diverse range of classes we get to take as Scholars, especially the ones which are not part of the core curriculum in the Business College.

The professors who taught those classes had so much life experience and expertise that it was an honor to be able to learn from them.

JAY ANDERSEN

MICHAEL BROOKS

MAKENZIE BRUCE

VICTORIA EREMEEVA

BSBA Concentration: • Management, Marketing

BSBA Concentration: • Business Finance

BSBA Concentration: • Marketing

Leadership and Involvement: • Chi Omega • Student Marketing Association

Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Intramurals • Phi Alpha Delta • Student Marketing Association • Young Republican Club

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting, Real Estate & Land Use Economics Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Chi Omega • Rho Epsilon • Thompson Learning Community (Mentor)

Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • University Honors Program

SCHOL AR S TATIS TIC S

2018-2019 Statistics

75

Total CBA Scholars

CBA Scholars represent:

46

High schools

35 Cities

3.74

Average CBA Scholar GPA

70

UNO clubs and organizations count CBA Scholars among their members

15

ALEJANDRA ESCOBAR-SERRANO 5 states are represented: NEBRASKA

IOWA

MINNESOTA

KANSAS

SOUTH DAKOTA

BSBA Concentration: • Economics Majors Outside of CBA: • Political Science Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Students for Microenterprise Development • University Honors Program

JORDEN HANSEN BSBA Concentration: • Economics, Management, Marketing Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Phi Kappa Phi • University Honors Program

SAMANTHA LANGFORD BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance Leadership and Involvement: • UNO Women’s Golf

Without the offerings of the CBA Scholars funding, I would not have been able to attend such a great university. In the long run, these scholarships are helping me focus more on my next career move and less on my next student loan payment.

SAMANTHA LANGFORD

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

16

2016 COHORT (CONTINUED)

DYLAN LOERTS

JAKOB MACH

DAVID MATA

CJ MONAHAN

GARRETT UECKER

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting, Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management

BSBA Concentration: • Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management

BSBA Concentration: • Economics

BSBA Concentration: • Entrepreneurship, Real Estate & Land Use Economics

BSBA Concentration: • Management

Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Financial Management Association • Maverick Investment Program • Phi Kappa Phi • Pi Kappa Alpha (Judicial Board) • Student Government (Executive Treasurer)

Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Maverick Productions (Director of Website) • Pi Kappa Alpha • S.O.L.D.

Leadership and Involvement: • Project Achieve

Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Pi Kappa Alpha (External VP) • Rho Epsilon

Minors Outside of CBA: • Criminology & Criminal Justice Leadership and Involvement: • Climbing Club • Student Marketing Association

CHRISTOPHER WINCHESTER BSBA Concentration: • Entrepreneurship, Management, Marketing Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • MBA Association • Phi Kappa Phi (VP) • University Honors Program (Honors Student Association)

SAMANTHA YOUNG BSBA Concentration: • Accounting Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Providence Church College Community (Leadership Team)

2017 COHORT

LAUREN O’MALLEY BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management, Marketing BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management Leadership and Involvement: • Financial Management Association • Maverick Investment Program • Student Activities Budget Committee • Student Marketing Association (President)

17

LIZBETH PEREZ HERNANDEZ BSBA Concentration: • Economics, Management Minors Outside of CBA: • Political Science Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Economics Club • Goodrich Organization • Honors Student Association

ALISON RASZLER

ZACHARY TABOR

COLTEN ADAMS

CHRISTINA BECKER

ISAAC CRUZ-VITAL

SAMANTHA ESTIVO

BSBA Concentration: • Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management

BSBA Concentration: • Entrepreneurship, Marketing

BSBA Concentration: • Entrepreneurship, Marketing

BSBA Concentration: • Marketing

Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (COO) • Maverick Machine • Percussion Ensemble • Racquetball Club • Student Marketing Association • The Herd

Leadership and Involvement: • Citylight U • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (Graphic Design Officer) • Entrepreneurial Living and Learning Community

BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management

BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Real Estate & Land Use Economics

BSBA Concentration: • Legal Studies, Real Estate & Land Use Economics

Leadership and Involvement: • Cardboard Club • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Delta Sigma Pi (President and VP of Chapter Operations) • National Residence Hall Association • Student Marketing Association (VP of Membership and Recruitment)

Minors Outside of CBA: • Spanish Leadership and Involvement: • Chi Omega

Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Maverick Investment Program • Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) • Rho Epsilon • Thompson Learning Community

BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Management Leadership and Involvement: • Chi Omega (Homecoming Chair) • Love Your Melon • Rho Epsilon

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

18

2017 COHORT (CONTINUED)

CHRISTIAN HANUS

MEGAN HENDERSON

CADE LINVILLE

RILEY LYON

KARINA NAVARRO

CHASE REED

BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management

BSBA Concentration: • Economics, Supply Chain Management

BSBA Concentration: • Undecided

BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting

BSBA Concentration: • Marketing

Minors Outside of CBA: • Spanish

Leadership and Involvement: • Sigma Phi Epsilon (VP of Finance)

Leadership and Involvement: • Intramurals • Cardboard Club (VP of Recreation) • Financial Management Association • Providence Church College Community (Student Leader)

MARINA MADRIGAL BSBA Concentration: • Accounting Minors Outside of CBA: • Sustainability Leadership and Involvement: • Sustain UNO

Minors Outside of CBA: • Sustainability

Leadership and Involvement: • UNO Golf Club

BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Accounting, Management

Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Cardboard Club (Founder and President) • Delta Sigma Pi (VP of Community Service)

FAVIOLA MARTINEZ-PEREZ BSBA Concentration: • Accounting Leadership and Involvement: • Goodrich Organization (Public Relations Officer)

Leadership and Involvement: • Cardboard Club • Student Marketing Association (VP of Finance)

BSBA Concentration: • International Business, Management Leadership and Involvement: • Maverick Productions

SAMUEL MCDERMOTT

COLTEN MOSHIER

BRADLEY STUTHMAN

ERIK TENA-VIGIL

PARKER THOMPSON

BSBA Concentration: • Business Finance, Economics

BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management, Real Estate & Land Use Economics

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting

BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting, Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Management

Majors Outside of CBA: • Mathematics Minors Outside of CBA: • French Leadership and Involvement: • Beta Gamma Sigma • Cardboard Club (Vice President) • Delta Sigma Pi (VP of Professional Activities) • Jazz Program (Combo Performance Ensemble) • University Honors Program

19

Leadership and Involvement: • ALAS • Lambda Theta Nu (Fundraising, Alumnae, and Sunshine Chair) • Students for Microenterprise Development

JAQUELINE REYES GADEA

Leadership and Involvement: • Cardboard Club • Maverick Investment Program

Leadership and Involvement: • Dance Marathon • Beta Gamma Sigma • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Mav Motors • Pi Kappa Alpha (Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Treasurer)

Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (Treasurer) • Entrepreneurial Living and Learning Community • Intramural sports • Maverick Investment Program • Pi Kappa Alpha

MATTHEW SMITH BSBA Concentration: • Real Estate & Land Use Economics Leadership and Involvement: • Cardboard Club (Vice President of Member Services) • Rho Epsilon • UNO Men’s Soccer

Leadership and Involvement: • Cardboard Club • Student Marketing Association

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

20

2018 COHORT

COLLIN BAILEY BSBA Concentration: • Undecided Leadership and Involvement: • Delta Chi Fraternity (Treasurer) • Financial Management Association • Harry Potter Club • Lettuce Club

BARBARA BARRIENTOS BSBA Concentration: • Management

DOMINIC DONNAY

OWEN FINN

JUDSON HIXSON

ALEXANDER HUGHES

LUKE JENSEN

DAWSON KRAMER

BSBA Concentration: • Management, Supply Chain Management

BSBA Concentration: • Marketing

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting

Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Entrepreneurial Living and Learning Community • Harry Potter Club (VP) • Lettuce Club Board Member • Student Marketing Association (VP of Social Media) • Watermelon Club Board Member

Leadership and Involvement: • Intramurals • Lettuce Club

Leadership and Involvement: • Lettuce Club

BSBA Concentration: • Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management, Real Estate & Land Use Economics

Leadership and Involvement: • Active Minds Organization

Leadership and Involvement: • Goodrick Organization • Lettuce Club

Leadership and Involvement: • Delta Sigma Pi (Spring Pledge VP of Professional Activities) • UNO Cardboard Club • UNO Harry Potter Club (Co-Founder)

MADELINE FOREMAN

EMILY GALLOWAY

KALEB HECKENS

ALEXANDRA HISCOCK

LEXY LOPEZ

CATELYNN NEVILLE

COURTNEY PALMER

ELIZABETH QUINN

BSBA Concentration: • Marketing

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting

BSBA Concentration: • Undecided

BSBA Concentration: • Undecided

BSBA Concentration: • Entrepreneurship

BSBA Concentration: • Marketing

BSBA Concentration: • Undecided

Leadership and Involvement: • Lettuce Club

Leadership and Involvement: • Providence Church College Community

Leadership and Involvement: • 8:08 College Community • JPII Newman Center • Rho Epsilon

Leadership and Involvement: • University Honors Program

BSBA Concentration: • International Business, Management, Marketing

Leadership and Involvement: • Financial Management Association • Intramural Ultimate Frisbee • Lettuce Club • Racquetball Club • Rho Epsilon

BSBA Secondary Concentration: • Accounting

Leadership and Involvement: • UNO Sustainability

Leadership and Involvement: • Lettuce Club

Minors Outside of CBA: • Chicano(a)/Latino(a) Studies Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Lettuce Club

21

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

22

2018 COHORT (CONTINUED)

NEW CLASS In March 2019, 20 high-achieving high school seniors were selected for the 2019 cohort of the CBA Scholars Academy. Collectively, these incoming freshmen boast an average high school GPA of 4.02 and average placement in the top 12% of their graduating classes. Representing 17 different high schools, they come from 11 cities spanning three states.

RACHELLE RICE

LILLY SWANSON

MADISON TABOR

JACOB WEBER

BSBA Concentration: • Management

BSBA Concentration: • Accounting

BSBA Concentration: • Business Finance

Minors Outside of CBA: • Nonprofit Management

Minors Outside of CBA: • Criminology & Criminal Justice

BSBA Concentration: • Human Resource Management

Leadership and Involvement: • University Band • Cardboard Club • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Entrepreneurial Living and Learning Community • Student Social Work Organization

Leadership and Involvement: • Providence College Ministry PC-3

Through engaging cohort courses, a unique mentoring program, and lively social events, the Scholars Academy has allowed me to excel academically, professionally, and socially as a business student.

RACHELLE RICE

23

Leadership and Involvement: • Cardboard Club • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • University Band

Leadership and Involvement: • Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization • Entrepreneurial Living and Learning Community • UNO Men’s Tennis Team

Getting into the Scholars Academy and getting those scholarships definitely put UNO in the running as my top choice. I'm so grateful for the scholarships I have received through the program and they will help me focus more on what career I actually want to pursue rather than just trying to get the top paying job to pay back all my college debt.

LILLY SWANSON

The following students are members of the 2019 freshman cohort: Jacob De La Montanya

Samantha Greenfield

Julia King

Edvin Ortiz

Sioux Falls, SD

Omaha, NE

Omaha, NE

Lexington, NE

Lincoln

Millard West

Omaha Burke

Lexington

Morgan Dickey

Kai Harris

Jack Lorkovic

William Scheopner

Papillion, NE

Omaha, NE

Omaha, NE

Omaha, NE

Home School

Elkhorn South

Elkhorn South

Home School

Liberty Donahoe

Dustin Hovanec

Ryan Mack

Madison Schwarz

Omaha, NE

Blair, NE

Omaha, NE

Columbus, NE

Elkhorn

Blair

Millard North

Lakeview

Lexie Faber

Lydia Johnson

Joel Mancino

Kelli Smith

Aurora, NE

Columbus, NE

Elkhorn, NE

Bellevue, NE

Aurora

Columbus

Elkhorn South

Bellevue West

Wendy Forlemu

Samuel Kennedy

Isaac McCoy

Matthew Ziegler

Lincoln, NE

Omaha, NE

Lincoln, NE

Luverne, MN

Lincoln Northeast

Platteview

Lincoln Lutheran

Luverne

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

24

SCHOLAR TRAVELS More than ever before, the Scholars expanded their horizons with international travel all over the world, visiting 21 countries outside of the United States. Many studied abroad and many traversed both new and familiar countries on their own.

NORTH AMERICA:

CARIBBEAN:

EUROPE:

MIDDLE EAST:

ASIA:

OCEANIA:

Mexico

Haiti

Hungary

Ireland

Israel

South Korea

New Zealand

Jamaica

The Netherlands

France

Russia

Belgium

Poland

China

Denmark

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Germany

Sweden

Austria

25

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

26

FRESHMAN RETREAT The 2018 cohort gathered at the Wellness Center on the Dodge Campus on Friday, August 17—the Friday before their freshman year started at UNO. For the first time, the cohort met the group that would be their “teammates” for the next four years. Guided

by staff from the Outdoor Venture Center, the group began the day with icebreakers to learn each other’s names and a bit more about the other Scholars. As the day progressed, the activities transitioned from warm-ups to individual goals to teamwork.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Candidates for the Scholars Academy submitted applications their senior year of high school. In addition to test scores, grades, and class rank, the selection committee evaluated candidates on supplemental materials, including:

During the selection process, the committee looked for incoming freshmen who would most likely demonstrate the following traits:

A cover letter

• CBA Scholars are committed to their education and put forth their best work in the classroom, challenging themselves while expanding their knowledge.

• They are committed to their futures and make those investments now.

introduced the applicant and shared why their experiences, interests, and passions would make them a good fit for the Academy.

• CBA Scholars are committed to each other and participate enthusiastically in the program.

A résumé

Passion

showed commitment to the applicant’s community and school through volunteer service and extracurricular activities.

• Passion is giving more than what it is required. Different individuals carry their passion differently; sometimes it’s loud, sometimes it’s not. No matter the style, it means going the extra mile.

Three letters of reference endorsed the applicant’s teamwork and leadership skills.

Generosity

The selection committee invited the top 40 applicants to Mammel Hall for a day of interviews, held on March 1, 2019. During Interview Day, candidates attended a formal lunch, participated in a group interview with a faculty member, had a one-on-one interview with a business professional, and worked on a group project with other candidates.

SOPHOMORE RETREAT

Commitment

From that pool, the committee selected the top students to create the 2019 freshman cohort of 20 Scholars.

• Because others believe in the program and make investments in it, CBA Scholars are given many perks – including scholarships, mentorship, and other unique opportunities. Scholars are expected to pay-it-forward by being generous with their time and their talents.

Character • Scholars want to make the world a better place, not just for themselves, but for others as well.

Initiative • CBA Scholars are go-getters. They don’t wait for others to make their dreams a reality.

On September 28, the sophomore cohort took a three-hour trek to the Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area near Crofton, Neb., for a one-night retreat of team building and visioning the future of the Academy. The cabins were surrounded by trees and hills and overlooked a lake. The Scholars stayed up late into the night roasting marshmallows for s’mores over a warm campfire during the unseasonably cold weekend.

Saturday, September 28 4 P.M.: Cabins open

Sunday, September 29 7:15 A.M.: Sunrise hike (optional)

4:30–5 P.M.: Game – Enemy & Protector

8 A.M.: Breakfast

5–6 P.M.: Session – Reflect on the Strengths of Others 6 P.M.: Dinner 7 P.M.: Session – Getting to Know the Needs of Individual Team Members 7:30–8 P.M. Debrief (What are your cohort's strengths? Areas for growth?)

8:30 A.M.:Reflection – What are your goals for the Academy?

9:30 A.M.: Reflection – What three things will you take away with you?

2020 COHORT APPLICATION TIMELINE SEPTEMBER 2019 Application opens for the 2020 cohort at cba.unomaha.edu/scholars.

DECEMBER 15, 2019

Priority application deadline.

JANUARY 10, 2020 Top applicants invited to interview day

JANUARY 17, 2020 Interview Day held in Mammel Hall.

MARCH 1, 2020

Top 20 applicants invited to join the CBA Scholars Academy.

10:15 A.M. Clean up cabins 11 A.M.: Dismissal

8 P.M. Free Time (campfire optional)

27

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

28

SUPPORT THE ACADEMY The Scholars Academy is only possible through private financial gifts, which fund scholarships, international experiences, and Scholar programming. Without these, the Scholars Academy could not invest in the lives of these high-achieving students.

SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Scholarships play an important role in recruiting and retaining the best business students. As one Scholar said, “Nothing would have been possible without the financial help I received through the Scholars Academy. The Academy made me one step closer to achieving my career goals and pursuing the dreams I have had my entire life.”

With this financial support, the Scholars are able to partner with their communities, whether that’s being president of a student organization, creating and managing a community service project, or mentoring the next cohort of leaders.

Each Scholar receives a minimum $5,000 annual scholarship, awarded over four years, for a total of $20,000—all of which are provided through private gifts. Our next goal is to offer each Scholar a minimum $7,000 annual scholarship, which will only be possible through additional gifts.

CBA SCHOLARS WIDEN THEIR HORIZONS International experiences are a vital part of a Scholar’s experience in the program. Studying abroad allows students to experience first-hand the dynamics at play in today’s increasingly connected world, all while making them more capable and more marketable to future employers.

The annual study abroad trip costs around $60,000 and we are looking for partial or complete sponsors for this life-changing experience for our junior class.

EXPERIENCES ENRICH THEIR EDUCATION The Scholars Academy also provides activities designed to create camaraderie and teamwork within and between each of the cohorts through retreats, community service projects, and other scheduled learning opportunities. Without these activities, the Academy would be only a scholarship program instead of an immersive leadership development program.

SUPPORT THE ACADEMY Financial gifts to the Academy make both an immediate and long-term impact on the Scholars, helping support these and other activities that enrich Scholars’ education and college experiences.

Gifts may go to a specific need, as stated above, or be invested in the CBA Scholars Academy Excellence Fund, which funds all aspects of the program.

Many thanks to the following donors who have contributed financially to the Scholars Academy, both for programming and scholarships: THE VIRGINIA PETTENGILL ESTATE HERB SKLENAR DENNIS AND RUTH DUFFY CARL MAMMEL KEITH V. KIERNAN FOUNDATION

To support the Scholars Academy financially, contact:

Sue Kutschkau skutschkau@nufoundation.org | 402.502.4109

29

FIRST DATA UNION PACIFIC

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT

30

[ CB A .UNOM A H A .EDU/S CHOL A R S A C A DEM Y ]

CONTACT Bethany Hughes | Director bjhughes@unomaha.edu | 402.554.3192 134Q Mammel Hall, 6708 Pine St., Omaha, NE 68182 402.554.3192

cba.unomaha.edu/scholarsacademy

cbascholarsacademy@unomaha.edu /cbascholarsacademy

@UNOCBA_Scholars

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. 0072RPTCBA0819