2020-2021 CBA Scholars Academy Annual Report

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 2020 -2021

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2

3

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 MISSION AND HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 COURSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MEET DR. MEDEIROS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 AWARDS AND ACCOLADES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ACADEMY MENTOR PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2017 COHORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2018 COHORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 2019 COHORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 2020 COHORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 NEW CLASS (2021 COHORT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE RETREAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 APPLICATION PROCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SUPPORT THE ACADEMY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

1

2020-2021 LEADERSHIP MICHELLE TRAWICK, PHD Dean College of Business Administration

LYNN HARLAND, PHD Associate Dean College of Business Administration

DAVID NIELSEN, MS Assistant Dean College of Business Administration

BETHANY HUGHES, MS Director CBA Scholars Academy

JORDEN HANSEN Graduate Assistant CBA Scholars Academy

2

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Supporters and Members of the Academy, One of my favorite flowers is the daffodil. When I see the bright yellow petals begin to emerge from a snow-covered ground, I know that spring is coming after a dark and cold Nebraska winter. The promise of longer days and warmer sunshine makes the last days of dreary weather more bearable.

We have been in a long winter, so to speak, as COVID-19 has continued to upend and change our plans. As you will likely notice, this annual report is lacking in photos of get-togethers in physical spaces as we looked out for each others' health and well-being. However, metaphorical daffodils are popping above the metaphorical cold earth and I look forward with renewed hope at the new beginnings we have in the Scholars Academy.

Perhaps the most exciting development is the opening of the Scholar Suite in the Rod Rhoden addition in Mammel Hall, pictured on this page. Since 2015, Scholars have been anticipating their new space and it finally opened this summer. The 840-square-foot suite includes collaboration spaces, a study area with computers, a breakout room, three presentation spaces, offices for both the director and graduate assistant, and a kitchenette. After months and months of virtual interactions, a physical space where Scholars can study and meet is a true breath of fresh air. I am looking forward to the new and stronger connections this space will encourage.

Kind regards, Bethany Hughes Director

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

3

MISSION The CBA Scholars Academy invests in the present and future of highachieving 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.

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 mentorship program. »Space

and support for student-led community service projects. »An annual scholarship of at least $5,000 to each Scholar to help with tuition and education costs. »A study abroad trip junior year, offset by a generous stipend. »Annual

retreats for each cohort to build community.

HISTORY JUNE 2014

Director hired. Program planning and recruitment begins.

4

An honors program specifically for business students was the long-time vision of former Dean Louis Pol and CBA faculty. Following a financial gift from the Virginia Pettengill Estate, 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 resumes, cover letters, and a day of interviews. In fall 2018, the Scholars Academy reached full capacity for the first time with four cohorts of Scholars.

FEB 2015

AUG 2015

AUG 2016

First Interview Day held in Mammel Hall.

First cohort of 20 freshman Scholars arrive on campus.

Second cohort of 20 freshman Scholars arrive on campus.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

AUG 2017

Third cohort of 20 freshman Scholars arrive on campus.

MAY 2018

2015 cohort studies abroad in Germany.

SCHOLARS ACADEMY COURSES As part of the Scholars Academy, students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) have an opportunity to thrive in small, specialized courses just for these high-achieving students. The cohort courses utilize 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.

Scholars complete 18 credit hours of courses, along with an additional seminar course freshman year. The curriculum covers a variety of important and pertinent topics necessary for business leaders.

SCHOLARS ACADEMY SEMINAR BETHANY HUGHES, M.S. FALL FRESHMAN YEAR This seminar course provides 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.

BUSINESS WITH CONSCIENCE

ECON AND PUBLIC POLICY

DEAI SOLUTIONS FOR MINIMIZING RISK

KELSEY MEDEIROS, PHD

JAMIE WAGNER, PHD

DESTYNIE SEWELL, J.D.

Spring Freshman Year

Fall Sophomore Year

Spring Sophomore Year

This course introduces students to metrics of business success outside of organizational profits and to emphasize the role of business in shaping society. Topics covered in this course include an overview of business ethics, diversity, sustainability, and ethical leadership.

This course applies the economic way of thinking to current public issues (local, national, global). Students apply concepts from their principles of micro and macroeconomics courses to analyze policy effectiveness and answer difficult public issue questions.

This course explores the various aspects of power, access, and equity as it relates to the business environment while exploring the range of dimensions in which diversity is manifested among business leaders, staff, and external stakeholders through history, policies, systems, and legislation.

PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

EMERGING TECH AND INNOVATION

VARIES

PHANI TEJ ADIDAM, PHD

BRENT CLARK, PHD

Fall Junior Year

Spring Junior Year

Fall Senior Year

Students engage in paid, part-time employment in the discipline of their choice.

Through this experience, they gain relevant business experience and practice the skills and concepts learned in the classroom.

In this course, students gain 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 companies that export goods and services to the U.S.

This course equips entrepreneurially-minded students with a more complete range and vision of the viability of various startup opportunities.

Students learn about the new and emerging technologies and innovations, as well as the various shifts in the way cutting-edge business gets done, regardless of industry.

AUG 2018

Fourth cohort of 20 freshman Scholars arrive on campus.

DEC 2018

MAY 2019

AUG 2019

AUG 2020

First Scholars graduate from UNO CBA.

2016 cohort studies abroad in Austria and Germany.

Fifth cohort of 20 freshman Scholars arrive on campus.

Sixth cohort of 20 freshman Scholars arrive on campus.

AUG 2021

Seventh cohort of 20 freshman Scholars arrive on campus.

New Scholars Academy suite opens in the Rod Rhoden addition in Mammel Hall.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

5

MEET DR. KELSEY MEDEIROS, ETHICS RESEARCHER Kelsey Medeiros came to UNO’s College of Business Administration as an assistant professor of management in 2019. She is also a co-founder of Ethics Advantage, an ethics consulting firm, and recently signed a book deal discussing leadership lessons from the women leading us through the pandemic. Medeiros taught a new, never-before-taught course for freshmen CBA Scholars, Business with Conscience, in spring 2021.

Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? How did you end up in Omaha?

I am originally from Orange County, California. I went to college at Penn State and then after that, I moved to Oklahoma for graduate school. My first job was in Texas, so I have bounced around a bit.

I spent a few years in Dallas, which I really enjoyed, and then I was offered this position at UNO. I had been here a few times and loved Omaha. So I was extra excited about the opportunity!

You research “workplace troublemakers”. What does that mean?

Workplace troublemakers capture two different types of troublemakers.

The first type of trouble is what we typically think of as people who are troublemakers in an organization—people who are wreaking havoc, breaking the rules, breaking the norms, and just creating problems.

However, one of my areas of research is in sexual harassment in the workplace. In doing that research with a colleague at the University of New Hampshire, we found that often people who report sexual harassment or those who have been sexually 6

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

harassed themselves are labeled troublemakers by organizational leaders. We will often hear women who report harassment say, “I don't want to report it because I don't want to make trouble. I don't want to be seen as a troublemaker.”

There are two sides to this trouble-making coin. One is these people who are just making noise, breaking rules to break rules. But then there is another good and positive side, where people break the norms and challenge the status quo to spark change or progress. This is where things like creativity research comes into play because we need people who are thinking about big ideas and thinking about “does this rule need to stay or if we bend it, what positive outcome might we see?”

Women in leadership are often seen as troublemakers as they break gender stereotypes and then move through the ranks of an organization; they are making another type of trouble.

And with my last area of research—ethics—bad actors and unethical cultures make trouble in a way that we really do not want. It is costly for organizations on many levels.

If we look at troublemaking more complexly, then we can ask questions like: How do we encourage good trouble and discourage bad trouble? What does that look like? What does that mean? How can we discourage unethical behavior? How can we encourage women to continue breaking gender stereotypes and provide them with support? How can we encourage women and other victims of sexual harassment to come forward and to report and also discourage the harassing behavior itself? How can we encourage creativity that promotes ethicality, sustainability, and positive outcomes for the world?

You are the cofounder of an ethics consulting firm, Ethics Advantage. What kind of work does the firm do?

After graduate school, I was doing a lot of work in the ethics space and my other cofounders and I realized that the research that we were doing and reading was not really reaching organizations. It was staying in academia. The perspective that organizations often take on ethics is really legal focused, which it is obviously important to follow the law. But equally as important is the human behavior lens, or an understanding of decision making and how we can help people make more ethical decisions in the workplace.

Ethics Advantage provides leadership, development, and decision-making tools to help people identify their decision-making patterns and where that might lead them astray when they face an ethical dilemma. We do work with culture coaching, leadership development training, and ethics trainings. That is a really fun area to see research in action and to see how it can make a real impact in organizations.

Why is ethics important for businesses to take seriously?

There are a lot of reasons to take ethics seriously.

You can look at it from a business case perspective.

Consumers are more aware; there is more information

out there about what companies are doing. We know that people are more willing to engage with organizations who are behaving more ethically and engaging in corporate social responsibility.

Being unethical is also costly. If you have an ethics scandal, it could cost millions. It will wreak havoc on your organization to not have an open culture where people feel they can raise issues and where transparency is central.

The three buckets of why to take ethics seriously are 1) Avoid scandal 2) Consumers will be interested, so it is going to pay off and 3) Your organization is going be more affective if you have a culture that supports ethics.

You also research women in leadership roles. What advice do you have for young women who want to lead?

One of the big things to do is to look at role models. We know role models make a huge difference in terms of girls feeling that they can be successful and to reach those leadership positions. Women too can look to them to see that they can be leaders, but also to learn from what they are doing and how they are acting.

For example, most women—if not all women—have been in that position where they have been interrupted by someone in a meeting and do not always have the words or know the way to respond. As we see more women in power responding to these interruptions, they serve as role models that provide us with the words and the language to then respond effectively.

There are a lot of really cool, outstanding women doing awesome things; pay attention to them.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women in

leadership in the workplace?

There are a number of issues that women face, but one of the driving factors is: stereotypes. Women do not historically align with our stereotypes of what we perceive effective leadership to look like, in terms of expectations of how they are meant to behave or not behave, what they are meant to say or not meant to say. These stereotypes influence all of our interactions and our perceptions of one another.

These stereotypes can then become encoded in the organizational system. It then creep into all aspects of organizations—promotion, hiring, firing, training, and development, you name it. It becomes a systematic issue. It is not about this one big bad guy in a leadership position who is sexist, hates women, and is not going to promote them. Those people exist, but the issue is much more systemic. It is the decisions being made every day that impact women.

You like to travel. Where are some of the places you have been? Where is your favorite place to travel?

So many! South Africa because of the wine, good food, amazing weather, really nice people. Second is India.

I went there in 2019 and absolutely loved it. Someone described it to me as an assault on the senses and that was 100 percent accurate. It is an amazing place—a beautiful culture with beautiful people. Third is Japan.

It is like an out-of-body experience because it is such a different culture from the US that you really feel like you have stepped into another world.

One of the reasons I love to travel is because when you are somewhere you do not speak the language and you are not familiar with the culture, it really challenges what you know, what you value, and what you think is important. It opens your eyes to new ways of seeing things.

SCHOLARS OPEN THE “INFO WINDOW” TO TRUTH AND CREDIBILITY ONLINE Freshmen in Business with Conscience, the course taught by Medeiros, created Info Window, an online hub for resources and guides to learn about the dangers of falsehoods and half-truths online, find tips on spotting a news story that lacks credibility, and utilize resources to help fact check information. Students launched the podcast with episodes featuring guests Gina Ligon, Ph.D., director of UNO’s National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center; Jennifer Griswold, Emmy-award winning anchor and journalist at KMTV 3 News Now; and Jeremy Lipschultz, Ph.D., Peter Kiewit Distinguished Professor in UNO’s School of Communication.

These guests discuss topics about online misinformation based on their areas of expertise: radicalization, journalism, and social media and online communication. Scan the QR code to listen.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

7

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES BETA GAMMA SIGMA

CBA AWARDS

Thirteen CBA Scholars were inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) in spring 2021! To be invited, a student must be in the top 10 percent of the junior or senior class at CBA. This year’s minimum GPA was 3.927 for juniors and 3.891 for seniors.

Banking and Financial Markets: Samuel McDermott

Scholars Inducted into BGS in 2021: Morgan Dickey Liberty Donahoe Lexie Faber Kaleb Heckens Dustin Hovanec

Sam Kennedy Julia King Jack Lorkovic Isaac McCoy Edvin Ortiz

Delta Sigma Pi Key: Brad Stuthman

OTHER AWARDS Student Employee of the Year: Morgan Dickey

Rachelle Rice Will Scheopner Madison Tabor

Scholars Previously Inducted into BGS: Emily Galloway Megan Henderson

Luke Jensen Marina Madrigal

Samuel McDermott Brad Stuthman

UNO AWARDS 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.

Fall 2020: 36 Scholars

Spring 2021: 31 Scholars

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.

Fall 2020: 28 Scholars

Spring 2021: 33 Scholars

ACADEMY MENTOR PROGRAM From September to April, Scholars receive guided mentorship through the Academy Mentor Program. Each Scholar is paired with a mentor from the Omaha business community who meets with the Scholar once a month. These meetings provide Scholars the opportunity to seek advice and guidance from business professionals, learn more about career fields, build professional connections, improve their skills, and discover their possible career path after graduation. In 2020-2021, the Scholars Academy had 55 mentors from 32 companies.

I have had four different mentors during my four years in the Scholars Academy, and I am incredibly fortunate and thankful for their diverse backgrounds and the wide-ranging advice and guidance they have provided me with over the years. I have developed great relationships with each of my mentors and I know I could reach out to them in the future with any questions or issues. The conversations I have had with my mentors have had a significant impact on the direction in which I want to take not only my career, but my life outside my career as well.

SAM MCDERMOTT, 2017 SCHOLAR 8

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2020-2021 ACADEMY MENTORS NIKKI BAUER Program Manager, Fiserv

COLBY JENSEN Senior Manager, BKD, LLP

DEBBIE PETRU Manager II, Training Delivery, Union Pacific

COLIN BUCKLEY Marketing & Sales Consultant, Union Pacific

KIM JENSEN Human Resources Manager, Dundee Bank

ALISON RASZLER* Business Services Analyst, Conagra Brands

ANTHONY CARLSON Lead Application Developer, Farm Credit Services of America

NICOLE JOHNSON Sr. Bus. Systems Consultant, Mutual of Omaha

ZACH REINHARDT Real Estate Project Manager, Burlington Capital

ADRIENNE CAVILL* International Business Recruitment & Development, NE Dept of Econ Development

MACKENZIE JUNG* Jr Project Consultant, Union Pacific

CHRISTIAN DAUEL* Finance Analyst, Union Pacific

CRAIG KAPSCH Vice President, Recruiting & Talent Acquisition, Applied Underwriters, Inc.

ASHLEY EISERT Manager - Logistics, Loup Logistics Company GABBY ESTIVO* Commercial Real Estate Broker, NAI NP Dodge

AMANDA RINKER Corporate Talent Manager, Lozier

JEFF KAZOR Manager, Advanced Tech & Digital Solutions, American National Bank KELSEY KESLAR CFO, City+Ventures

COLBY RINKER Senior Manager Real Estate, Union Pacific ZACH ROYSE Assistant Controller, National Indemnity Company ADAM SCHMIT Director, Human Resources, Fiserv AMBER SKOGSTAD Director of Campus Recruitment & Development, Northwestern Mutual

ELIZABETH FILA Manager, Business Analyst, Fiserv

KIM KESLER Tax Senior Manager, BKD

PHIL FRIEDRICH Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual

LORI KLEINSCHMIT VP Finance Shared Services, Fiserv

ANNIE SMITH Manager - Training Delivery, Union Pacific

TREVOR KOGER Audit Associate, KPMG

TREY SMITH Commercial Lender, FNBO

JUSTIN KORTH Tax Manager, Lutz

RANDY STEVENSON Attorney/Partner, Baird Holm LLP

PATRICK GROVES Sr. Director Talent Management, Valmont

JENNIFER KROS DORFMEYER Senior Marketing Manager Global Brand, Valmont Industries, Inc.

WENDY STRADER Finance Director, Fiserv

STACY GUEVARA AVP, Group Underwriting, Lincoln Financial Group

CHRIS LYONS Director of Sales - North America, Valmont

LEILA TATBY Recruiting Outreach Partner, Boys Town & Boys Town National Research Hospital

CARI HARMS Recruiter, Lincoln Financial Group

JAKOB MACH* Insurance Claims Analyst, Mutual of Omaha

KEVIN TRACY Attorney, Baird Holm LLP

JOHN HEINE Real Estate Broker, Investors Realty, Inc.

ZAC MARQUESS* Senior Asset Manager, Goldenrod

EMMA GETZFRID* Auditor, KPMG BROOKE GEYER Sales Account Manager, LinkedIn

ADRIAN HERNANDEZ Senior Vice President, Dundee Bank

KIMBERLY WHITING Program Manager, Union Pacific RYAN WILLIAMS IT VP, American National Bank

MELISSA MEURRENS Vendor Manager, Spreetail

ERIN TRACY Audit Senior Manager, KPMG

CALEB MOYER* Investments Internal Wholesaler, Orion Portfolio Solutions-CLS Investments

WHITNEY HOSKINS Sr. Recruiter, Talent Acquisition, FNBO

MATT ONDREJKO Vice President Global Marketing, Valmont

ANDREW HUNT Partner, Hiley Hunt Wealth Management

CHRISTA OTTO Director, Union Pacific

*Scholars Academy alum

CHRIS WINCHESTER* Graduate Researcher, University of Minnesota SAMMY YOUNG* Graduate Assistant, UNO Management Department

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

9

2017 COHORT // NEWEST ALUMNI Congratulations to the newest alumni! Eighteen Scholars in the 2017 cohort and two students in the 2018 cohort completed the program during the 2020-2021 academic year and are off to their first post-graduate careers.

Top: Commencement, May 2021.

Bottom Left: Freshman Retreat, August 2017.

Bottom Right: Sophomore year, April 2019.

10

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2017 COHORT COLTEN ADAMS // Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Management (2nd), Real Estate & Land Use Economics (2nd) What are your ultimate career goals?

I plan to build a private equity company that purchases commercial multifamily properties through a real estate fund. Because I have a background in the trades, I plan to specifically target value-add opportunities and hire contractors to bring once-ignored properties back to life. Once the company has several units under management, I will build out the property management department to also manage properties for other investors. I will also start a creative media company that specializes in photography, video, and drone work. I have always had a passion for the creatives.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

Being surrounded by so many people my age with the same drive to succeed is something I will miss. There are not many places I have experienced a culture where everyone wants to help each other do the best they can. While there was definitely competition between the members, it only helped everyone push themselves even further. There are a lot of clubs, groups or workplaces where the culture is very passive and people go through the motions, but the Scholars Academy is not one of those places.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

My biggest advice for current scholars is to get as much experience under your belt as you can. If I could go back, I would have tried to get a different internship every year. Another piece of advice is to try and reach out to as many business professionals as you can who are related to your desired work field. I have messaged several business professionals on LinkedIn, none of whom I knew beforehand, and met with them to get coffee. Through those people, I have met numerous other professionals and even received job offers.

CHRISTINA BECKER // Marketing, Management (2nd) Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years, I hope to see myself living a happy and successful life. Being happy and secure are probably the most important goals I have for myself. I never want to wake up dreading going to the same boring job every day. I hope that in 20 years, I have found a successful career in the real estate world. I also dream of one day owning my own business and I hope that in that time I will have succeeded at that. I don't know where I will live, but I also hope that my work and life in general will have a lot of travel!

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

I have had so many valuable experiences during my time in the Scholars Academy. I know that my college career would not have been the same if it was not for this program. One of the best parts of being in this program was the opportunity to have mentors in the business community here in Omaha. I was able to form connections and relationships with people I would have never met on my own. The connections with these people have allowed me to learn so much. I also enjoyed taking specialized classes with other cohort members and found those experiences extremely beneficial and eye opening.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

There are so many reasons that a high school student should consider applying for the Scholars Academy.

This program has opened so many doors for me during my college career, and none of it would have been possible without it. I had planned to move out of state for college, but I chose to stay in Omaha and attend UNO because of the Scholars Academy. I have been able to meet so many other peers and even business professionals in the community. We have gone to business visits which actually helped me get an internship during my college career. My college life would not have been the same without this opportunity.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

11

2017 COHORT ISAAC CRUZ-VITAL // Real Estate & Land Use Economics, Management (2nd) What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

What I will miss most about the Scholars Academy is the relationships that are built through the mentorship program. Through my experience, every mentor I was connected with became a friend whom I could count on for advice, letters of recommendations, and connections with other professionals within their network who could help with my specific career path. That alone is a great advantage for every business student who is a part of the Scholars Academy, as many other students do not have the opportunity to connect with business professionals.

What is the best advice that someone has given to you as a Scholar?

The best advice that I was given as a Scholar was to take advantage of the connections that are available to you. Every mentor you are partnered with can be a huge help, and if they can't help you directly, then chances are that someone within their network can. Not only that, but every scholar has different backgrounds and different networks. Everyone has the ability to learn from each other and feed off of each other. At the end of the day, the Scholars Academy puts together cohorts of individuals that are like-minded, so don't be afraid to reach out and connect; everyone can learn from each other.

What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book would definitely have to be "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. It really helps one understand the importance of having money work for you, rather than working for money your entire life.

As business students I feel like it's great to have a solid foundation and understanding of money so that throughout our careers we can make smart investment choices that can pay off in the long run when emergencies occur, when retirement rolls around, when our kids head off to college, and even leave nest eggs that can be passed down to younger generations.

SAMANTHA ESTIVO // Legal Studies, Management, Real Estate & Land Use Economics What are your plans after graduation?

I will be hanging my license with NAI NP Dodge to pursue commercial real estate brokerage.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The CBA Scholars Academy has significantly impacted my academic and career goals. I largely attribute this impact to the incredible professors, mentors, and students that have all made this program possible. I am thankful for the many business visits and mentor meetings which helped me to explore my interests and develop my career path. My professional network was non-existent after moving from Kansas to Nebraska for college.The Scholars Academy has provided me with countless opportunities and connections to help me grow this network. I am filled with gratitude when I look back on all that this program has done for me.

12

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2017 COHORT CHRISTIAN HANUS // Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Economics, Investment Science & Portfolio Management What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The CBA Scholars Academy has helped me recognize what kind of leader I want to be. I want to be a leader in the Omaha community through the work that I do.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

The people in it. Even this past year when COVID has been a huge concern and classes have been online, I have noticed that I miss seeing the people in the Academy. Being able to walk down a hallway and see three or four people I know just through the Scholars Academy is something that I have missed and will miss. It is great knowing that there are older students in the college who have been through the same things who can advise younger cohorts on the experiences they had.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

All the things that they advertise are worth it when it comes to a college experience. When it comes to finding internships, you can almost always find a connection to the business through someone in the Academy. When it comes to making connections, you are given the opportunity to meet leaders in the Omaha business community and visit their companies. Things like that are very difficult to replicate at other colleges thanks to the great reputation UNO has with Omaha businesses. Combine this with great friends you will make over the course of four years in the Scholars Academy and it is definitely worth applying for.

MEGAN HENDERSON // Economics, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Management (2nd), Sales (2nd), Sustainability (Minor) What are your ultimate career goals?

My ultimate career goals include leading an organization that is focused on a mission I believe in. I see myself being an executive or higher-level manager of an organization. As an individual who works best when passionate and inspired, the ultimate dream would be to lead a team of people to make that inspirational mission come true. Putting the time into developing myself as a businesswoman and creating a strong foundation in the early years of my career I think will prepare me well for the future years of being able to lead a team of individuals in an organization.

What are the two or three most important things you learned throughout the program?

The first important thing I have learned and taken to heart from being involved in the Scholars Academy is to surround yourself with good people. The Scholars Academy is a program of about 80 really great people.

These people supported me and my goals.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

Say yes. It sounds simple but can be really hard. Some of the best experiences and opportunities I was exposed to in college came from turning down my anxious mind and saying yes to new things. This included having a cup of coffee with a VP of a local company to ask questions about their field, sending my resume to a recruiter from a company I had never heard of, going to North Carolina for a national scholars conference, or tagging along with some Scholars I did not really know to a baseball game. As cheesy as it sounds, those were the moments I grew the most from and learned the most from. So do not shut yourself off too quickly!

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

13

2017 COHORT RILEY LYON // Accounting, Management (2nd) What are your ultimate career goals?

My ultimate career goals are to continue with my current company and work my way up. I love the culture, I love my coworkers, I love my managers, and I want to build a career within Lincoln Financial Group because of those things. I feel taken care of and it makes me enjoy going into work every day.

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

The most valuable experience from the Scholars Academy has to be the friendships I have made with other Scholars. One of my closest friends is in my cohort, and I have always felt supported by my cohort, and they are all a resource to me in different ways.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

Internships. Internships. Internships. It is your test run for the real thing. Not only was I able to find a company and job that I absolutely love, but I was also able to weed out companies and jobs that I did not. There is nothing else that will prepare you for a full-time job than a trial run of it and that is what internships are for. Get out there and get one.

What is your favorite quote? Why? "You are free to be at peace, even in the wild of things." - Morgan Harper Nichols. This is my favorite quote because I was able to find peace with myself this year, despite what was going on in the world. Pandemic, election, civil unrest throughout the country and yet here I am, finding the best version of myself. I can feel happy and at peace even if bad things are happening. I should feel lucky that in a time like this I am able to feel good, because there are a ton of people out there who do not. Feeling at peace does not mean that I am discounting what is happening in the world.

MARINA MADRIGAL // Accounting, Management, Sustainability (Minor) What are your ultimate career goals?

My ultimate career goals are to become a Certified Public Accountant working for a private company with a culture that cares about its employees. Eventually, I want to be self-employed and start my own business.

I currently want to pursue real estate investment or provide accounting consulting to my own clients. I want to continually learn new things and plan to use this drive towards a potential business start-up.

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

The most valuable experiences I have had in the Scholars Academy were through the mentorship program and business visits. It has been helpful to receive insight and knowledge through these two programs over the past four years. If I had not been in the Scholars Academy, I would not have had the experience of asking questions of a business professional in our community. More than once, my mentors have helped me through making difficult decisions in my professional and educational path. In addition, I got to visit multiple businesses and talk to people who work at those businesses about what they enjoy about working there. It helped to learn not only about the various industries but also about company culture and benefits.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

I would encourage any high schooler going into business administration to apply for the CBA Scholars Academy because it made the most difference in my college experience. The program gives business students access to more opportunities and resources than any other program in CBA. I thoroughly believe that the Scholars Academy is what made me the most successful in my college career through the connections that I have made and the resources I have utilized. There is never a shortage of people to turn to for advice whether it be peer mentors, professional mentors, fellow Scholars, the Academy director, and Scholars Academy class professors. The network that you can grow through the Scholars Academy is unmatched.

14

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2017 COHORT FAVIOLA MARTINEZ PEREZ // Accounting, Management (2nd) What are your ultimate career goals?

My ultimate career goal is to be a CFO of a nonprofit organization in Omaha. I have always loved helping my community and with that position I could use my accounting skills as well. I have seen the impact that these organizations have on the community and I want to be part of that change.

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

The business visits and the mentorship program. I enjoyed being able to visit different organizations in the Omaha area and learn more about their culture. I believe this was helpful in deciding where I would want to work in the future. The mentorship was helpful because I got exposed to amazing accounting professionals. I had mentors in both private and public accounting. I enjoyed being able to hear their experiences and they were all willing to answer any questions I had about the profession.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

A high school student should consider applying to the Scholars Academy because you are exposed to many different opportunities. Taking a class with your cohort is helpful because they are willing to help you if you have any questions. There are also classes that you would not have thought of taking but end up loving. With the business visits, you are able to visit different organizations that you may have never heard of. I enjoyed learning about current internship opportunities or full-time positions.

Who is the person who has influenced you the most?

My dad; I consider him the most hard working person I know. He lost his dad at the age of 8 and soon after had to start working to be able to help provide for his family. I always value how much he has worked his whole life. I use this as a motivation to keep on striving for better. My dad has always been supportive in all that I do and I feel like his past experiences have influenced my way of thinking.

SAMUEL MCDERMOTT // Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Economics, Investment Science & Portfolio Management What impact has this program had on your career goals?

Hearing the career stories of the professionals I have met in through the mentoring program and business visits has shown me that so much career potential exists in the business world. Many professionals I have met are not in the career they had originally envisioned and have had a variety of experiences with different companies in different roles. This has shown me that it is impossible to know exactly what career I will end up in and should instead focus on doing the best I can in whatever roles I take on and be open to any new opportunities. Although I have a rough career goal in mind of working as a financial analyst, I will keep an open mind and be receptive to alternative paths.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

I will miss taking classes as a cohort the most. Having one class a semester with the other students in my cohort was something I always looked forward to and was especially comforting during my first year as a freshman when college was still very new to me.

Who is the person who has influenced you the most?

My dad has undoubtedly influenced me the most throughout my life. Some of his many attributes that I strive towards include a strong work ethic, prioritizing family, and a kind and positive attitude. My dad has always encouraged me to do well not just in school, but in everything I do, as well as to balance academics and work with fun and unique experiences. My dad's willingness to put others before himself and the kindness he shows to every person he comes in contact with have always inspired me to be more like him.

His kindness paired with his work ethic have made him a role model for me for as long as I can remember.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

15

2017 COHORT COLTEN MOSHIER// Business Finance, Economics, Investment Science & Portfolio Management, Real Estate & Land Use Economics Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I would like to have moved up to a management position in the job that I hold if not running the department. Within the next 20 years, I would also like to have a family, own my own house, and be financially stable enough to help my kids through college.

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

The Scholars Academy has offered me many opportunities to grow not only as an academic but also as a business professional. The opportunity that has allowed this to happen more than any other is the mentor program. I have had the wonderful opportunity to be with the same mentor for three years which has not only allowed me to create a great connection with him but has also proven to be a wonderful resource.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

I believe that the greatest piece of advice for a current or new Scholar would be to get a job or internship in the business world in the summer of your freshman year. This is the most wonderful opportunity that you can be given to grow your knowledge of how a company works and learn about the field of business. There is only so much school can teach you and I can promise you that applying what you learn in school to an actual job not only helps to retain it but also make the whole process feel worth it.

What is your favorite quote? Why? My favorite quote is by John Muir, "The mountains are calling and I must go." This quote is a reminder for me to enjoy what I love most in life. Life is short and when something you love is calling, you have to answer. This is also a reminder that work isn't everything. You need to take the time to soak in what's around you and enjoy life.

KARINA NAVARRO // Accounting, Management (2nd) Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I hope to be out of Omaha in 20 years and continue to work as an accountant. My goal is to travel the world and I hope in 20 years I have explored at least 20 different places in the world (assuming I take a trip every year). I see myself having a family and hopefully own a home. In 20 years, I hope to fulfill my life-long dreams.

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

The most valuable experience was having the opportunity to have a mentor throughout my college experience. If I was not in the program, it would have been difficult to find mentors in the industry and learn from their experience and advice. Throughout my four years, every mentor had a different impact on me especially since I am a first-generation student. Most of the topics were very new to me and my mentors provided insight that I would not received elsewhere.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

My advice for the current Scholars is to enjoy college, step outside of your comfort zone. Once you step out of your comfort zone you will have amazing experiences and meet people who will change your life. My next advice is to take advantage of all the opportunities that the Scholar Academy provides as well as the resources that are available on campus. Last but not least take care of yourself; college can be stressful and finding ways to keep you going are important.

Who is the person who has influenced you the most?

As a first-generation student there has been many people who have influenced me especially during my time during college. If I had to choose one person who influenced me the most is my family. They motivated me to push through each semester and do my best.

16

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2017 COHORT MATTHEW SMITH // Business Finance, Real Estate & Land Use Economics, Management (2nd) Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I see myself owning and operating a custom homes contracting business. I also see myself heavily invested or involved in real estate. I will use everything I have learned through UNO and the Scholars Academy to help me succeed in my future endeavors.

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

The most valuable experiences that I have received are both the interactions I have with my fellow Scholars and the mentorship program. Being surrounded by motivated and intelligent Scholars ensured that I was being challenged to be the best I could be. It was also great to have a "default" set of friends as soon as I came to college. Second, the mentorship program allowed me to build perhaps the most important relationships I made while in college. The advice and connections that result from this program are amazing.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

I would say to take advantage of every opportunity that the Scholars Academy has to offer. I am not saying that CBA in general does not offer great opportunities to grow and connect, but the Scholars Academy does a tremendous job of giving exclusive opportunities for you to succeed.

What is your favorite quote? Why? "Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced" - Soren Kierkegaard I like this quote because as humans we are wired to think and problem solve, but sometimes we just need to quiet our minds and enjoy life.

BRAD STUTHMAN // Accounting What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The CBA Scholars Academy has provided numerous impacts on my career that I could not imagine that a program could. It has taught me how to interact and network effectively with business professionals, different aspects of businesses in Omaha, and how to achieve at a high level. Not only has it allowed me to gain different skills, it has allowed me to push myself at the highest level possible and continue that excellence into the workforce.

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

Some of the most valuable experiences that I have had through the Scholars Academy is the numerous interactions with business professionals in the Omaha area. This has allowed me to build strong networking skills and communication skills with these professionals. It has set me apart from other students in the College of Business Administration. This will make a big impact in my professional career and having a step ahead by having years of experience in this aspect.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

One piece of advice that I have for future Scholars is to get as involved on and off campus as much as possible. Many of the people that you meet in these organizations you will get to know and they will help you out in many aspects in life. Not only should they get involved in organization on campus, I would advise you to do as many internships as possible to see what exactly you want to do, but to also see what company fits you the best.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

17

2017 COHORT ERIK TENA // Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management, Management (2nd) What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The CBA Scholars Academy has had a great impact on my career goals. It has helped me grow and develop as a young professional through its honors courses and mentorship program. The specialized courses allowed for increased collaboration with my peers within the classroom. I was able to gain valuable insight about myself and others by closely working with my peers over the last four years. Also, the mentorship program provided me with four amazing mentors that had great career and life advice. My mentors helped me break down the goals that I want to accomplish in my career and helped me create a plan of action upon graduation.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

I will miss the access to great people to learn from once I graduate. The Scholars Academy was a fantastic way to network with both the Omaha business community and other students on campus. The group of eighty scholars each have unique experiences and perspectives on life. It was great to meet and learn from different scholars as cohorts came and went. The Scholars Academy introduced me to some lifelong friends. Also, the business visits were helpful in visiting different companies and understanding what they do.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

The Scholars Academy is a great opportunity to enter college and have a network of students who are motivated and ready to succeed on your side. The Scholars Academy is a tight-knit community and having access to 80 Scholars means that your success will be supported by others. The network of great minds that you access through the program prove beneficial when searching for internships and employment. If you are looking to make the most out of your college experience, the Scholars Academy will help you grow professionally while making lifelong friendships.

PARKER THOMPSON // Accounting, Management What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The Scholars Academy has significantly impacted my short-term and long-term goals by connecting me with amazing mentors throughout Omaha. Each mentor has engaged in meaningful conversations about my future, thus helping to shape my goals. Without these amazing people and the Scholars Academy, there is no telling how different of a path I would be on.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

As I move towards graduation, ultimately ending my time in the Scholars Academy, I think about how much I will miss the connectivity of our cohort. I personally created closer relationships with people following the same path as me. These relationships have provided me with late night phone calls about assignments, exam day venting sessions, and help that would have otherwise been hard to find.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

When considering what can benefit your future the most, there are few programs like the Scholars Academy. Due to the business visits, panels, and mentor programs, the Scholars Academy connects students to people who can advance your career. All of the opportunities I have accepted during my time in college have prospered because of the mentor program. Without a doubt, the Scholars Academy provides students connections that will put them miles ahead of other business srudents.

Who is the person who has influenced you the most?

My parents have influenced me the most in my college career by showing me how hard they have worked.

Neither of my parents had the opportunity to graduate college, but they worked incredibly hard to send me through my own college experience. No matter what kind of job I have in the future, I will remember their work ethic and the opportunities they made sure I had.

18

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2017 COHORT CADE LINVILLE // Banking & Financial Markets, Business Finance, Investment Science & Portfolio Management

CHASE REED // Accounting, Management

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

19

2018 COHORT CATELYNN NEVILLE // Entrepreneurship, Management (2nd), Marketing (2nd) What are your ultimate career goals?

My ultimate career goal is to be able to make enough income from my business so that I will not have to have another part-time job. If and when I reach this position it will feel to me that a real milestone is accomplished and that people will begin to take my business more seriously. After I am generating enough income from my business to have it as my only job I would like to focus on growth and potentially hiring one or more part-time employees down the line. If my business does extremely well I would love to look into renting a brick and mortar building to serve as a storefront for the brand.

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

There are a couple of experiences that have been extremely valuable to me in the Scholars Academy. I would have to say the first is the classes that we take with our cohorts. These classes are not only ones that take learning to the next level through award winning professors, but they allow us Scholars to form amazing bonds. It is much like going to a small school in that you have multiple classes with the same people. It allows you to connect on a much deeper level than you could normally with students in other classes on our large campus. The second most valuable thing has been my mentors. My mentors have eased my stress, helped me avoid internships that were not the right fit for me, encouraged me to take the next steps within my business, and always left me feeling inspired and motivated.

What is your favorite quote? Why? My favorite quote is “keep going, it will all be worth it one day.” No matter what point of life you are in, you are usually facing a battle. For that reason this quote never goes out of style and serves a purpose throughout your life. We will all face challenges but the most important part is not to get yourself down because the challenge is hard but to look up and see how happy you will be when you have conquered that challenge.

ELIZABETH QUINN// International Business, Marketing, Management (2nd)

20

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2018 COHORT

COLLIN BAILEY

BARBARA BARRIENTOS

DOMINIC DONNAY

OWEN FINN

BSBA Concentrations: » Accounting » Management

BSBA Concentrations: » International Business » Legal Studies » Management

BSBA Concentrations: » Logistics Management » Logistics Supply Chain Management » Management » Private Sector Management

BSBA Concentration: » Marketing

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Alpha Psi » Delta Chi (President) » UNO Student Government (CBA Senator)

Leadership & Involvement: » Delta Sigma Pi (Fundraising Chair)

MADELINE FOREMAN

EMILY GALLOWAY

KALEB HECKENS

BSBA Concentrations: » Economics » International Business

BSBA Concentrations: » Accounting » Management

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Alpha Psi (Reporting Officer) » Beta Gamma Sigma » Chi Omega » Collegiate Panhellenic Council (Director of Administration)

BSBA Concentrations: » Management » Marketing » Sales (secondary) Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » 808 College Community

Leadership & Involvement: » CBA Advising Peer Advisor » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » Scott Campus Resident Assistant » Student Marketing Association

The highlight of the Scholars Academy has been the people.

My best friends from college are fellow Scholars. Whether it has been mentoring younger Scholars, studying and working on group projects with my cohort, or hiring and working with fellow peers in the advising office, I have had a fulfilling experience because of the people in the program.

MEGAN HENDERSON, 2017 SCHOLAR

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

21

2018 COHORT (CONT.)

ALEXANDRA HISCOCK

JUD HIXSON

ALEX HUGHES

LUKE JENSEN

BSBA Concentrations: » Marketing » Business Finance (secondary) » Management (secondary)

BSBA Concentrations: » Accounting » Economics

BSBA Concentration: » Accounting

BSBA Concentrations: » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Finance » Investment Science & Portfolio Management » Real Estate & Land Use Economics

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Alpha Psi » Student Government

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » Financial Management Association » Rho Epsilon » 808 College Community (Student Leader)

LEXY LOPEZ

COURTNEY PALMER

RACHELLE RICE

LILLY SWANSON

BSBA Concentrations: » Business Finance » International Business » Management » Marketing

BSBA Concentration: » Marketing

BSBA Concentrations: » Human Resources Management » Marketing » Management (secondary)

BSBA Concentration: » Accounting

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » CBA Dean's Student Advisory Council (Vice President) » Student Marketing Association (President)

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Alpha Psi

22

Minor: » Communication Studies Leadership & Involvement: » Student Marketing Association

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

Minor: » Criminology & Criminal Justice

2018 COHORT (CONT.) CONNECT WITH SCHOLARS View each Scholars' profile, including LinkedIn pages, on our website.

MADISON TABOR

JACOB WEBER

BSBA Concentrations: » Human Resources Management » Legal Studies » Management (secondary)

BSBA Concentrations: » Business Finance » Management (secondary) » Marketing (secondary)

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Alpha Psi » Human Resource Association (President and Vice President)

Leadership & Involvement: » UNO Men’s Tennis Team

2019 COHORT

JACOB DE LA MONTANYA

MORGAN DICKEY

LIBERTY DONAHOE

LEXIE FABER

BSBA Concentration: » Logistics Supply Chain Management Minor: » Cybersecurity

BSBA Concentrations: » Human Resources Management » Management » Marketing

BSBA Concentrations: » International Business » Management » Marketing

Leadership & Involvement: » Student Marketing Association (VP of Finance) » UNO Jazz

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » Human Resource Association » PC3 (President & Student Leader)

BSBA Concentrations: » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Analytics » Business Finance » Investment Science & Portfolio Management » Accounting (secondary) » Management (secondary) Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » UNO Women's Club Hockey

Minor: » Sustainability Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » Chi Omega (New Member Educator) » Dance Marathon » Student Marketing Association (VP of Communications)

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

23

2019 COHORT (CONT.)

WENDY FORLEMU

SAMANTHA GREENFIELD

KAI HARRIS

DUSTIN HOVANEC

BSBA Concentrations: » Business Analytics » Logistics Supply Chain Management » Management

BSBA Concentrations: » Accounting » Management » Marketing (secondary)

BSBA Concentrations: » Management » Marketing » Sales

BSBA Concentrations: » International Business » Marketing

Leadership & Involvement: » Black Student Union » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » Maverick Investment Program » Project Achieve

Minor: » Criminology & Criminal Justice

Leadership & Involvement: » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » UNO Dance Team

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » CBA Clothes Closet » Student Marketing Association

LYDIA JOHNSON

SAMUEL KENNEDY

JULIA KING

JACK LORKOVIC

BSBA Concentration: » Undecided

BSBA Concentrations: » Accounting » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Finance » Investment Science & Portfolio Management » Management (secondary)

BSBA Concentrations: » Accounting » Management (secondary)

BSBA Concentrations: » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Finance » Investment Science & Portfolio Management » Economics (secondary)

Leadership & Involvement: » Alpha Xi Delta (Membership Appreciation Chair, Finance Director) » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » Rho Epsilon » Thompson Learning Community

24

Leadership & Involvement: » CBA Clothes Closet » Delta Sigma Pi (VP of Chapter Operations, VP of Community Service) » Dean's Student Advisory Council

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » Delta Sigma Pi (Chancellor)

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » Chi Omega

Minor: » Political Science Leadership & Involvement: » Abortion Dialogue Academy » Beta Gamma Sigma » Delta Chi Fraternity (Scholarship Chair) » JPII Knights of Columbus

2019 COHORT (CONT.)

RYAN MACK

JOEL MANCINO

ISAAC MCCOY

EDVIN ORTIZ

BSBA Concentrations: » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Finance » Entrepreneurship » Investment Science & Portfolio Management

BSBA Concentration: » Undecided

BSBA Concentrations: » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Finance » Investment Science & Portfolio Management » Management (secondary)

BSBA Concentrations: » Human Resources Management » Management » Marketing » International Business (secondary)

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » Delta Sigma Pi

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » CBA Clothes Closet » Nebraska Appleseed Volunteer » Student Marketing Association

Leadership & Involvement: » Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization

Leadership & Involvement: » Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization » Entrepreneurial Living Learning Community » Phi Kappa Phi » Rho Epsilon

WILLIAM SCHEOPNER

MADDY SCHWARZ

KELLI SMITH

MATTHEW ZIEGLER

BSBA Concentrations: » Marketing » International Business (secondary) » Management (secondary)

BSBA Concentrations: » International Business » Management » Marketing

BSBA Concentrations: » Management » Marketing

BSBA Concentrations: » Entrepreneurship » Real Estate & Land Use Economics » Management (secondary)

Minor: » Political Science

Leadership & Involvement: » Chi Omega (Vice President)

Leadership & Involvement: » Beta Gamma Sigma » CBA Career Center - Peer Advisor » Student Marketing Association (Vice President)

Leadership & Involvement: » Maverick Productions

Leadership & Involvement: » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » Rho Epsilon » Student Marketing Association

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

25

2020 COHORT

SAMUEL BEARD

ALYSSA BELL

JOSIE BLAKE

CALLI CARLSON

BSBA Concentrations: » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Finance » Investment Science & Portfolio Management

BSBA Concentration: » Marketing

BSBA Concentrations: » Management » Marketing

BSBA Concentration: » Undecided

Leadership & Involvement: » Maverick Maniacs » Rho Epsilon

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Leadership & Involvement: » Alpha Xi Delta » CBA Advising Peer Advisor » Student Marketing Association » UNO Advertising Club

Leadership & Involvement: » Chi Omega » Cardboard Club » Student Marketing Association » UNO Dance Marathon

CALI CARRITT

EMMA DANIELS

MEAGAN DAUEL

OLGA DELGADO

BSBA Concentration: » Human Resources Management

BSBA Concentration: » Accounting

BSBA Concentration: » Accounting

BSBA Concentration: » International Business

Leadership & Involvement: » Alpha Xi Delta (Director of Informatal Recruitment) » Human Resource Association

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Student Marketing Association

Leadership & Involvement: » Chi Omega (Recruitment Assistant) » Junior Collegiate Panhellenic Council » Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) » Student Marketing Association » UNO Dance Marathon

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Student Marketing Association

26

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

2020 COHORT (CONT.)

NOAH GROT

DANIEL GUENTHER

BSBA Concentrations: » Management » Marketing » Real Estate & Land Use Economics

BSBA Concentration: » Economics

Leadership & Involvement: » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » Delta Chi (Counselor, Executive Board) » Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL)

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Economics Club » Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL)

FILO HABIB

MIKA MIYATA

BSBA Concentrations: » Legal Studies » Management

BSBA Concentration: » Marketing

Leadership & Involvement: » Delta Chi (Alumni Relations Secretary) » Freshman Leadership Council » Phi Beta Lambda (Treasurer) » Student Marketing Association

Leadership & Involvement: » Student Marketing Association » UNO Women's Golf Team

SAMANTHA PARR

JOEL PLESKAC

TJ RENNER

JACOB ROBERTS

BSBA Concentrations: » Entrepreneurship » Marketing

BSBA Concentration: » Business Finance

BSBA Concentrations: » Accounting » Banking & Financial Markets » Business Finance » Investment Science & Portfolio Management

BSBA Concentration: » Real Estate & Land Use Economics

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » Entrepeneurs Living and Learning Community » Student Marketing Association » Writer's Club

Leadership & Involvement: » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization » Salt Company

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL)

Leadership & Involvement: » Delta Chi » Maverick Productions (Event Coordinator) » Rho Epsilon

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

27

2020 COHORT (CONT.)

PHILLIP STELLING

ELLEN VOGLTANZ

BSBA Concentrations: » Logistics Supply Chain Management » Marketing » Management (secondary)

JOHN VONER

BSBA Concentrations: » Human Resources Management » Management » Economics (secondary)

SETH WILLIAMS

BSBA Concentration: » Marketing

BSBA Concentration: » Human Resources Management

Leadership & Involvement: » Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) » Pi Kappa Alpha (Philanthropy Chair)

Leadership & Involvement: » Human Resources Association (Treasurer) » Providence Church College Community » Student Marketing Association » UNO Intervarsity

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Leadership & Involvement: » Cardboard Club » Human Resources Association

2020-2021 SCHOLAR STATISTICS

77 Total CBA Scholars

3.81 Average Scholar GPA

40

UNO clubs and organizations count CBA Scholars among their members

28

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

CBA Scholars represent:

54

High schools

37

Cities

7 states are represented: ARIZONA

MINNESOTA

IOWA

NEBRASKA

ILLINOIS

SOUTH DAKOTA

KANSAS

NEW CLASS 2021 COHORT In spring 2021, 20 high-achieving high school seniors were selected for the 2021 cohort of the CBA Scholars Academy. Representing 18 different high schools, they come from 11 cities spanning three states.

ISHANI ADIDAM Millard North HS

JOHNNAH BAILEY Omaha North HS

DANIEL BARON Millard West HS

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

EMILY BOUSQUET Lincoln Pius X HS

JERRY BRITO-MENDOZA Omaha South HS

GRANT COLEMAN Lee's Summit West HS

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

Lee's Summit, Missouri

KATHIA DIMAS Crete HS

CARISSA GOTTSCHALK Seward HS

THERESA HOWARD Skutt Catholic HS

Crete, Nebraska

Seward, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

CHLOE JOHNSON Fremont Mills Jr-Sr HS

CARLEY KELLER Papillion-La Vista South HS

MAEVE MCCOY Gothenburg HS

Tabor, Iowa

Papillion, Nebraska

Gothenburg, Nebraska

MILES MCDONALD Millard West HS

SHELSEY PORTILLO Omaha South HS

CAMBRI ROLFES Elkhorn South HS

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

Waterloo, Nebraska

SOPHIA RUBENSTEIN Omaha Bryan HS

SILAS SORILLA Lincoln Southwest HS

JOCELYN TENA VIGIL Schuyler Central HS

Papillion, Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska

Schuyler, Nebraska

JOSHUA VARNER Bishop Neumann HS

ELLISON VAVRA Omaha Burke HS

Wahoo, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

29

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE RETREAT The 2019 and 2020 cohorts met up in Elmwood Park April 9 for an afternoon of team-building and personal development.

30

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

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

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

The selection committee invited the top 40 applicants to a week of interviews over Zoom. During INTERVIEW WEEK, candidates 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.

From that pool, the committee selected the top students to create the incoming cohort.

COMMITMENT » C BA Scholars are committed to their education and put forth their best work in the classroom, challenging themselves while expanding their knowledge. » CBA Scholars are committed to their futures and make those investments now. » CBA Scholars are committed to each other and participate enthusiastically in the program.

PASSION » P assion 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.

GENEROSITY » B ecause 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.

2022 APPLICATION TIMELINE Sept. 1, 2021

Jan. 15, 2022

March 1, 2022

March 25, 2022

April 15, 2022

Application opens for the 2022 cohort at cba.unomaha.edu/scholars.

Priority application deadline.

Final application deadline.

Interview Day held in Mammel Hall.

Top 20 applicants invited to join the CBA Scholars Academy.

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

31

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. With this financial support, the Scholars are able to be partners 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.

I made my decision to come to UNO because of the generous award I received through the Academy. Without this scholarship, it would be much more difficult for me to afford college.

Filo Habib, 2020 Scholar

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 among 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 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.

Scholarships are helping me as a student worry a little less about having to pay a big payment every semester. They help me not have to pay so much out of pocket. In the long run scholarships are helping me achieve my dreams and goals and I am grateful for them.

Olga Delgado, 2020 Scholar

To support the Scholars Academy financially, contact:

Sue Kutschkau sue.kutschkau@nufoundation.org | 402.502.4109

32

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

The Scholars Academy provided me an opportunity that was very difficult to turn down. This scholarship and the others that I have received have really helped me stay ahead of the game and out of debt. I have really appreciated every scholarship that has come my way.

Sam Beard, 2020 Scholar

The scholarship provided to me through the Scholars Academy made the decision to attend UNO easy. Not having financial worries during my time in college allows me to focus on getting the most out of education and finding meaningful internships that fit my interests.

Liberty Donahoe, 2019 Scholar

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

The scholarships are the biggest piece of why I decided to attend UNO. I knew I wanted to attend law school, and so thinking of the cost of undergrad plus that expense made me nervous. Having the means has allowed me to concentrate on taking challenging classes and work with strong student organizations on campus.

Jack Lorkovic, 2020 Scholar

DENNIS AND RUTH DUFFY CARL MAMMEL KEITH V. KIERNAN FOUNDATION FISERV UNION PACIFIC

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

33

[ 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 160 Mammel Hall, 6708 Pine St., Omaha, NE 68182 402.554.3192

cba.unomaha.edu/scholarsacademy

cbascholarsacademy@unomaha.edu /cbascholarsacademy

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

1

CBA SCHOLARS ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

@UNOCBA_Scholars