CBA Scholars Academy Handbook 2018-2019

THE CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY HANDBOOK WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL SCHOLAR

2018-2019

1

CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

1

MISSION

3

HISTORY

WHAT MAKES A SCHOLAR

3

EXPECTATIONS

5

COMMUNICATION

6

REQUIREMENTS

7

4

PRIVILEGES

11

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

12

SCHOLARS ACADEMY COURSES

13

COHORT REPRESENTATIVES

14

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DEAR SCHOLARS, Welcome back to another academic year! This will be an exciting year of firsts for the Scholars Academy, one I have been looking forward to since 2014. This is the first year we have four cohorts. In December, we’ll congratulate our first graduates. And those graduates will become our first alumni.

The programming this year will be robust, full, and meaningful. We will meet more often, the requirements will involve more reflection and accountability, and the business visits will be more structured. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback last year so the Academy can continually improve and be a more fulfilling experience for all Scholars.

I encourage you to spend this year really diving in and getting the most out of all the experiences being in this program affords you. This program will only be as useful to you as you allow it to be. Take the initiative and use your ambition to make a difference, both for you and for others in the college and university.

You are all strong, dedicated, and ambitious individuals. I am honored to know you and excited to see what you will accomplish this year.

Best regards,

Bethany Hughes Director, CBA Scholars Academy University of Nebraska at Omaha

The policies of this handbook may be changed at anytime by the Scholars Academy and/or College staff. It is the Scholars’ responsibility to keep abreast of any new policy changes. Scholars will be notified of any policy changes in writing.

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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.

WE MEET THESE GOALS BY PROVIDING: • an annual scholarship of at least $4,000 to each Scholar to help with tuition costs.

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

• a study abroad trip junior year and a generous stipend to offset travel costs.

• retreats for cohorts to build community.

• seven courses 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 mentorship program each year.

• exposure to the business community with company visits throughout the academic year

HISTORY An honors program specifically for business students was the long-time vision of 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.

Twenty incoming freshmen are added to the Scholars Academy every year, following an extensive application process that includes essays, letters of recommendation, and a day of interviews. The Scholars Academy reached full capacity in fall 2018 with four cohorts.

WHAT MAKES A SCHOLAR While Scholars come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse personalities, all Scholars are expected to exemplify the following traits: Commitment • CBA Scholars are committed to their educations 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.

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

Passion • 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.

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

Generosity • 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.

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

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EXPECTATIONS Incoming freshmen are chosen for the Academy based on their potential to be leaders within the University and College communities. As Scholars, they are held to a high standard of character, academic rigor, and integrity and should adhere to the expectations outlined below.

CONDUCT

RSVPS

Scholars hold a reputation within the College, and that reputation is determined by the Scholars. The actions of the individual Scholar affects the reputation of all Scholars; the actions of all Scholars affects the reputation of the individual Scholar.

Throughout the year, the Scholars attend events, including retreats and company visits. To accurately plan for these, the Academy gathers RSVPs prior to the events. It is imperative that Scholars attend any event for which they RSVP “yes”. No-shows will result in loss of points.

GENERAL CONDUCT As ambassadors of the Scholars Academy, Scholars are expected to act professionally and respectfully. This includes interactions with faculty, staff, other Scholars, employer partners, guests to our campus, and other University students.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Like all students at the University, Scholars are expected to comply with the UNO Student Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with these rules and regulations may be grounds for consequences, including loss of program benefits and/or dismissal from the Scholars Academy. The code of conduct may be reviewed on UNO’s website.

ACADEMIC HONESTY Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating or helping others cheat, will not be tolerated.

“

INTERVIEW DAY Interview Day is held each spring to interview candidates for the incoming cohort. Current Scholars should volunteer as table hosts, group leaders, tour guides, and other volunteer positions as needed.

RETREATS Freshman and sophomore Scholars each have a retreat in the fall semester. Scholars are expected to attend the entirety of these retreats. Coming late or leaving early will result in point deductions for the retreats.

Any Scholar determined not to be upholding the positive reputation of the Scholars Academy, especially in the area of conduct, may be dismissed from the Academy and all benefits of the Academy revoked.

The actions of the individual Scholar affects the reputation of all Scholars; the actions of all Scholars affects the reputation of the individual Scholar.

”

COMMUNICATION Good communication is key to being a successful Scholar, whether in-person, over the phone, or through e-mail or text. Regardless of the method of communication, etiquette is mandatory.

EMAIL Most digital communication will be through email. The direcotr Bethany Hughes’ email is bjhughes@unomaha.edu, and she checks it regularly when in the office. Remember, email is NOT the same as a text message to a friend. A professional email has the following characterstics: • A proper greeting. When writing a new email string, your email should start with “Hi/Hello/Good Morning/Etc. Bethany” or just “Bethany.” Then, include a comma and start your email in a new paragraph.

• End the email with a salutation (i.e. Thanks! or Best, or Have a good day!)

• Finally, be sure to add your name after the salutation.

The director will request that any email sent without all of the above elements be resent.

PHONE/TEXT You may call the Scholars Academy office at 402.554.3192 anytime during regular office hours. Outside of office hours, please leave a message.

Another option is to call or text Bethany’s cell number at 402.819.8078. This is NOT to be used for emergencies and is still only used primarily during regular office hours. If you have an on-campus emergency, call 402.554.2911.

OFFICE HOURS Every Scholar is required to meet with the director at least once each academic year. Freshmen are required to meet twice, once each semester. Bethany holds office hours on the following days of the week: • Mondays, from 2 to 4 p.m.

• Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to noon • Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to noon • Thursdays, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Scholars may make an appointment with Bethany on Canvas, under Assignments, Meeting with Director.

COMMUNICATION VIA CANVAS All requirements are tracked through Canvas under Assignments. Scholars may subscribe to threads to follow announcements on various topics (e.g., study abroad opportunities, job and internship postings, general announcements). The calendar on Canvas is kept up-to-date with upcoming events. Scholars are responsible for all content communicated through Canvas.

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REQUIREMENTS As a member of the Academy, Scholars have a contract with the Scholars Academy to fulfill the requirements outlined in this section. Based on how many points a Scholar has at the end of the academic year determines his/her standing and the privileges awarded the following year. Requirements are tracked in Canvas under Assignments.

POINT SYSTEM Scholars’ progress in the Academy is tracked through a point system, similar to a point system within a college class. Scholars earn points throughout the year for completing requirements. The five sections are Leadership Development, Professional Development, Scholars Academy Meetings, Annual Accountability, and Academics. A Scholar who earns 600 points has met all requirements of the Academy, although a Scholar may earn more.

Scholars must complete the minimum point threshold for each requirement AND each section to earn any points for that section. For example, a Scholar must meet with their mentor five times to meet the minimum point threshold for mentor meetings. If the Scholar only meets their mentor four times, then they will receive no points for the Professional Development section, including business visits. In addition, the Scholar must earn a minimum of 90 points under Professional Development Area to earn any points in that section. Just meeting the minimum point threshold for both the business visits and the mentor meetings will not meet the minimum point threshold for the area.

FINAL EVALUATION At the end of the spring semester, all Scholars will be evaluated based on their points earned for the academic year. Just meeting the minimum point threshold for each section does not put a Scholar in excellent standing. Scholars should check Canvas regularly to track their progress.

End-of-Year Standing

Points

Excellent Standing: A Scholar with at least 520 points at the end of the academic year may apply for leadership roles, ask for letters of recommendation from Scholars Academy staff, and apply for conferences sponsored by the Scholars Academy. The Scholar’s scholarship is not in jeopardy.

520 or more

Acceptable Standing: A Scholar with acceptable standing will still receive his/her scholarship the following year, but will not be considered for conferences or leadership roles and cannot ask for letters of recommendation from Scholars Academy staff.

435-519

Unacceptable Standing: A Scholar with fewer than 434 points has not met the requirements of the Scholars Academy. The Scholar may receive a reduced scholarship or no scholarship, will not be considered for conferences or leadership roles and cannot ask for letters of recommendation from Scholars Academy staff. In addition, the Scholar may be dismissed from the Academy.

0-434

REQUIREMENTS (CONTINUED) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINIMUM POINT THRESHOLD: 90 Scholars are expected to meet with their mentors a minimum of six times throughout the academic year, three times per semester.

If a Scholar meets with their mentor fewer than five times, they will receive no points for mentor meetings. They are also expected to attend four business visits, two per semester. If a Scholar attends fewer than three business visits, they will receive no points for business visits. In addition, any Scholar who RSVPs “yes� for a business visit and does not attend or does not find a Scholar to replace their spot will have 10 points deducted from business visits. The points can be made up by attending an additional business visit.

Requirement

No. Required/ Year

No. Required/ Semester

Points Per Visit

Minimum Point Threshold

Maximum Points/ Year

Points Expected

Business Visit

4

2

10

30

150

40

Meeting with Mentor

6

3

10

50

NA

60

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MINIMUM POINT THRESHOLD: 100 Scholars must be growing as leaders, both in the college and the university. To meet this goal, Scholars are expected to be involved in at least one non-CBA organization per semester and attend the required retreat for their cohort. Scholars can also receive points for being involved in a CBA organization. Scholars who only partially attend a retreat will only receive partial points.

Requirement

Points/ Year

Point/ Semester

Minimum Point Threshold

Maximum Points/ Year

Points Expected

Involvement in Non-CBA organization

40

40

40

160

80

Involvement in CBA organization

20

10

0

60

20

Cohort Retreat

40

NA

20

40

40

SCHOLARS ACADEMY MEETINGS MINIMUM POINT THRESHOLD: 85 The Scholars Academy has four meetings each month on Tuesday mornings, from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Freshmen are expected to attend all meetings, sophomore are expected to attend meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, and juniors and seniors are expected to attend the fourth Tuesday of every month.

Requirement

Points Per Year

Meetings Per Year

Points Per Meeting

Minimum Points Threshold

Maximum Points/ Year

Points Expected

Scholar Meetings (Fresh)

100

24

4.167

85

100

100

Scholar Meetings (Soph)

100

16

6.25

85

100

100

Scholar Meetings (Jrs & Srs)

100

8

12.5

85

100

100

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REQUIREMENTS (CONTINUED) ANNUAL ACCOUNTABILITY MINIMUM POINT THRESHOLD: 120 Each of the requirements below, which need to be completed once per year, are required for a Scholar to remain in acceptable or excellent standing. Please note that freshmen do need to meet with the director twice, once in fall and once in spring.

Requirement

Points Per Year

Points Per Meeting

Minimum Points Threshold

Maximum Points/ Year

Points Expected

Meeting with Director (Sophomores & above)

50

50

0

50

50

Meeting with Director (Freshmen)

50

25

25

50

50

*Update of AW Application

50

NA

0

50

50

Year in Review Survey

50

NA

0

50

50

**Attend Scholarship Reception

50

NA

0

50

50

*Scholars in their final year of school are not required to update their AcademicWorks application. **Scholars may be excused from the scholarship reception for a University-sponsored event or class if approved in writing by the director prior to the reception. Non-academic absences will not be excused.

ACADEMICS MINIMUM POINTS THRESHOLD: 70 Scholars are expected to maintain a 3.2 or higher GPA. Scholars will earn points each semester for their GPA, for both the cumulative and semester GPA. For example: if a Scholar has both a cumulative and a semester GPA of 3.2 or higher for the fall, they will earn 50 points semester. If the Scholar has a 3.2 or higher cumulative GPA but a 3.0 GPA for the spring, they will earn 45 points for the semester.

Points Possible

Fall Semester GPA

Spring Semester GPA

Cumulative GPA After Fall Semester

Cumulative GPA After Spring Semester

0

Below 3.0

Below 3.0

Below 3.0

Below 3.0

20

3.0-3.1999

3.0-3.1999

3.0-3.1999

3.0-3.1999

25

Above 3.2

Above 3.2

Above 3.2

Above 3.2

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PRIVILEGES Scholars earn privileges based on their end-of-year standing, determined by points tallied after the spring semester.

SCHOLARSHIPS Each Scholar receives a minimum of $4000 each academic year, provided they meet the requirements of the Academy. Any Scholar who earns fewer than 460 points in an academic year, which is considered unacceptable standing, will lose their scholarship for the next school year. Assuming the Scholar has not been dismissed from the program, the Scholar may continue with all programming associated with the Academy. If the Scholar earns 460 or more points in the year without the scholarship, the scholarship may be reinstated the following year.

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Scholars may hold leadership opportunities as cohort representatives or committee leadership positions. To be eligible for these roles, a Scholar must have earned excellent standing the previous academic year.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Each fall, two junior Scholars are selected to attend the Undergraduate Scholars Program Administrators Association (USPAA) Scholar Summit. To be considered for this opportunity, a junior must be in excellent standing.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Scholars may need letters of recommendation throughout the year. If a Scholar earned is in excellent standing, they may request a letter of recommendation from a Scholars Academy staff member. Scholars should be aware that meeting expectations as well as requirements will help staff write a better letter of recommendation.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Scholars must have completed or met all the requirements outlined below to graduate with Scholars Academy honors.

GPA

INTERNSHIP

COHORT COURSES

Scholars who complete an internship for academic credit must complete the internship class with a passing grade (“C” or better) to fulfill the Scholars Academy requirement. Those who do not wish to complete their internship for academic credit will need to complete a reflection for the Scholars Academy.

Scholars are expected to maintain a 3.2 or higher GPA throughout their undergraduate career. They must have a cumulative 3.2 or higher University of Nebraska GPA at the time of graduation to officially graduate with Academy honors.

Scholars are required to enroll in and successfully complete the seven cohort courses. The only exception is if a Scholar is transferring the course equivalent from dual enrollment credit.

Scholars may not enroll in non-cohort sections of these courses at UNO or transfer these courses from another institution if taken while in the Scholars Academy. Scholars must earn a passing grade (“C” or better) in each course to complete the course requirement.

STUDY ABROAD

In conjunction with the BSAD 4000 courses Scholars complete spring of junior year, Scholars will travel abroad for a 10-day trip. This trip is a requirement of the Academy and must be completed for a Scholar to graduate with Academy honors.

Every Scholar must complete at least one internship while pursuing a BSBA. The internship does not have to be for academic credit (although it may) but does need to be approved by the Scholars Academy director.

POINT ACCUMULATION

By the end of their fourth year in the program, Scholars must have accumulated a total of 2000 points to graduate from the Scholars Academy. (The director will adjust calculations for Scholars who are graduating early.)

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8% SCHOLARS ACADEMY COURSES Course Title

Scholars Academy Seminar

Microeconomics

Principles of Accounting I

Operations Management

Course Code

BSAD 1010

ECON 2200

ACCT 2010

SCMT 3500

Semester Taken

Course Description

Fall, Freshman Year

In the fall semester, freshmen in the CBA Scholars Academy enroll in a zero-credit hour seminar course, taught by the Scholars Academy director.

Reserved for new students in the Academy, this course will provide CBA Scholars Academy students the opportunity to learn about their Gallup Strengths, network with other CBA Scholars and staff, and create strategies for connecting with business professionals.

Spring, Freshman 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.

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.

Spring, Sophomore Year

Operations Management is designed to introduce students to strategic, tactical, and control decisions in manufacturing and service operations.

Students will learn how operations integrate all other business processes for competitive advantage. It covers current applications of quality concepts, business process reengineering, supply-chain management, lean systems, and ERP systems for business operations efficiency and effectiveness.

Ethics

BSAD 3600

Fall, Junior Year

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.

Many examples from case studies and current events are provided.

Global Experience

BSAD 4000

Spring, Junior Year

Junior year, all Scholars enroll in a semester-long, three-credit Global Experience course, which includes a 10-day trip abroad.

Fall, Senior Year

The course provides an introduction to applied leadership concepts and practices by providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve problems and make decisions as leaders. Studying, understanding, and improving leader problem-solving and decision-making is critical for leader effectiveness. The goal of this course is to help students develop effective leadership problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Applied Leadership

MGMT 4230

*Because of changes in curriculum, the courses may be different for cohorts admitted prior to 2018.

COHORT REPRESENTATIVES Each cohort selects two representatives, who speak on behalf of the group. They do not put forth their own, personal agendas. As representatives, they meet with the director monthly to discuss the upcoming months and semesters and how the Academy as a whole may benefit.

Freshman representatives will be selected in December of freshman year and serve until the end of sophomore year. Juniors and seniors will be selected in April of sophomore and junior years, respectively, and serve for one calendar year.

The selection process has three steps: 1. Interested Scholars can self-nominate by emailing the director a paragraph on why he/she would like to be a Scholar representative. This paragraph will be distributed to the cohort for the voting process.

2. All Scholars have an opportunity to vote on the individual he/she would like to be the representative. (The votes are not the final say, but inform the decision the Scholars Academy staff makes.) All votes, including totals, are kept confidential.

3. The final decision is up to the director and staff.

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2018-2019 REPRESENTATIVES 2015 COHORT REPRESENTATIVES RJ Dechow

Steph Freund

rdechow@unomaha.edu

sfreund@unomaha.edu

RJ is a graduate of Gretna High School in Gretna, Nebraska. He is pursuing a BSBA with concentrations in Banking, Business Finance, and Investment Science & Portfolio Management.

Steph is a graduate of Atlantic High School in Atlantic, Iowa.

She is pursuing a BSBA with a concentration in Accounting and secondary concentrations in Real Estate and management.

2016 COHORT REPRESENTATIVES Garrett Uecker

Chris Winchester

guecker@unomaha.edu

ccwinchester@unomaha.edu

Garrett is a graduate of Sandy Creek Junior Senior High School in Fairfield, Nebraska.

He is pursuing a BSBA with a concentration in Management.

Chris Winchester is a graduate of Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

He is pursuing a BSBA with concentrations in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing.

2017 COHORT REPRESENTATIVES Megan Henderson

Christian Hanus

mrhendersen@unomaha.edu

christianhanus@unomaha.edu

Megan Henderson is a graduate of Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

She is pursuing a BSBA with concentrations in Economics and Supply Chain Management.

Christian Hanus is a graduate of Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska. He is pursuing a BSBA.

College of Business Administration Mammel Hall 6708 Pine Street, Omaha, NE 68182 402.554.3192 | cba.unomaha.edu/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. UCRPTTEMP1016