WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PRO GR A M
ANNUAL
REPORT 2020-2021
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAYNE WATKINS PROGRAM OVERVIEW LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE RECRUITMENT
5 6 7 8
WHOLE PERSON DEVELOPMENT THE MODEL DESIGN THINKING LEADERSHIP YOU NATIONAL SECURITY INNOVATION NETWORK MONROE-MEYER INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY INNOVATION FELLOWS COMMUNITY IMPACT PROJECTS SOFTWARE CODING COURSE HACKATHON ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS SMART SUMMER 2021 DESIGN STUDIO INTERNSHIP PROJECTS IMPACT NUCO STUDIO CAREER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING & DEGREE GRANTING APPROVED ACADEMIC PATHWAYS STUDENT PROFILES
10 10 12 14 16 18 19 20 21 22 28 30 32 34 34 36 38 41 42 52
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
3
4
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
5
IN T RODUC T ION FROM E X EC U T I V E DIREC T OR
WAYNE WATKINS The Walter Scott Jr Scott Scholars Program, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, seeks to perfect the undergraduate learning and development process each year for approximately 128 Nebraska STEM focused students. For each Scott Scholar, the Program focuses on three program pillars: > Customized Whole Person Learning > Societal Impact Opportunities and Pathways > Academics The 2020-2021 COVID year provided many challenges and opportunities for individual Scott Scholars and for the program. Consider the following: 1. COVID related isolation and the transition to individualized and remote learning challenged many Scott Scholars as it did students throughout the world. > We continue to learn how to best to meet the needs of those who became particularly challenged due to disruption. > We continue to seek further understanding from this COVID year, as we prepare students for a dynamic, changing, and uncertain world. > We know that those who work through adversity frequently excel in careers and in life. COVID, for some, created that adversity refinement opportunity and many thrived. They found the remote and individualized learning more to their nature and interests. Thus, we continue to provide life development skills such as Design Thinking and emotional and mental resilience training to help students navigate and grow from adversity. 2. As Internships were canceled due to COVID, the Scott Scholars Program accepted the opportunity to sponsor its own Summer Design Studio paid internships. This resulted in several community benefiting projects. Several incoming Freshman participated in the internships thus jump-starting their undergraduate learning and development experience.
3. Scott Scholars were the developers of the One Check COVID-19 app used to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 on the UNO campus and elsewhere across Nebraska. 4. The Scott Scholars Program formed and launched the student led NuCo Studio Inc. a not-for-profit entity that provides app development services. This initiative has its first customer and provides a vehicle for Scott Scholars to apply their skills in a “for pay” business environment. 5. The first Scott Scholars Hackathon led to a delightful weekend virtual event via Gathertown with 15 student led projects. Three were awarded implementation funding. 6. The Scott Scholars partnership with the United States National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) resulted in United States Marine Corp recognition for two Scott Scholar projects. One to mitigate suicide ideation by recruits and the second to manage battlefield anti-mining operations. 7. Walter Scott Jr. graciously hosted graduating Scott Scholars in a sharing of both gratitude and personal Scott Scholar progress. The meetings were the highlight of the year for many Scholars and provided the opportunity to express gratitude and demonstrate the impact of the investment in the students. 8. The Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation also arranged for each graduating senior to have a high level behind the scenes individualized meetings with top leaders in our community. We look forward to the continuous program improvement and individual Scott Scholar progress.
6 IN T RODUC T ION
PROGRAM OVERVIEW & PRIMARY PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The UNO Scott Scholars Program provides a living and learning community, with a variety of development resources, that supports Scott Scholars becoming complete intellectual, creative, civic, emotional, and moral persons. The Scholars leave the program with: > STEM related academic credentials > Supplemental core learning credentials and essential life knowledge and skills > Connections, mentors, career opportunities, resources, and role models This is based on the idea that to optimally contribute to our emerging society, we need more complete inner lives, life skills, and supplemental critical learning. We need to be connected to the challenges, opportunities, cutting edge knowledge and technology, and the resources of our day. Students selected as Scott Scholars engage in an enriched undergraduate educational experience that integrates both curricular and co-curricular learning. This challenging program is designed to prepare students with the technical, social, emotional, and problemsolving skills necessary to excel as STEM leaders in their communities and chosen professions. As a result of participating in the program, students demonstrate proficient levels in the following learning outcomes:
CAREER Scholars develop industry-leading technical skills that prepare them to enter their chosen field as top tier candidates. Students translate their many curricular and co-curricular learning experiences into a desirable career portfolio. Specific learning experiences distinct to the Scott Scholars program include securing valuable internship and research positions in regional and national labs, involvement in community service projects, intentional leadership development opportunities, and ongoing career development and coaching.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
LEADER Scholars develop their individual identities and learn to engage in responsible leadership that inspires others to effect positive change through the accomplishment of common goals.
PERSON Scholars become adept at self-reflection and able to articulate and leverage specific strengths, skills, and competencies. This includes understanding one’s values and beliefs within the context of complex social situations.
COMMUNITY Scholars learn about community engagement and develop active citizenship skills through participation in various service projects and ongoing commitments.
LEARNER Scholars become excellent critical and creative thinkers that are able to integrate and use technical knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines to generate new ideas and solve problems. This includes a commitment to whole life learning and being open to new experiences and opportunities for continued growth.
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
7
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
The Scott Scholar leadership team seeks to transform STEM focused human development in the current context of higher education. The leadership team consists of full-time staff, faculty advisors, and a student leadership council.
LEADERSHIP: CHANCELLOR
VICE CHANCELLOR STUDENT SUCCESS
SUZANNE & WALTER SCOTT FOUNDATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD
CORPORATE ADVISORY BOARD
Wayne Watkins
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Harnoor Singh
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
TBA
EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Leah Ellis
CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR & TRAINER
Levi Thiele, Ph.D.
WELLNESS ADVISOR & TRAINER
Dr. Rebecca L. Wysoske, M.D.
VICE CHANCELLOR FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
Dr. Daniel Shipp, Ed.D.
CHANCELLOR
Dr. Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA
SUZANNE & WALTER SCOTT FOUNDATION
Dr. Laura Miller, Ph.D.
ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD: KATHRYN M. COOPER, PH.D., Assistant Professor School of Interdisciplinary Informatics PAUL H. DAVIS, PH.D. Associate Professor of Biology
DIRECTOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR & TRAINER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
GRIFF ELDER, PH.D. Professor of Mathematics WELLNESS ADVISOR & TRAINER
CLARENCE E. WATERS, PH.D., PE, F.AEI Aaron Douglas Professor of Architectural Engineering
STUDENT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: RYAN CHAPMAN, JUNIOR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
NATIE SELENKE, JUNIOR LAVANYA UPPALA, JUNIOR KATIE ANDERSEN, SOPHOMORE CRISPIN CORPUZ, SOPHOMORE JACKSON HASELHORST, SOPHOMORE HEATHER RICHARD, SOPHOMORE MORGAN BAKER, FRESHMAN TRISTAN BERTSCH, FRESHMAN HAILEY BIXLER, FRESHMAN LOGAN DUNLOP, FRESHMAN
8 IN T RODUC T ION
RECRUITMENT
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a series of modifications to the Scott Scholars Application for admission and the Interview Days. Prospective candidates engaged in virtual workshops and design sprints with current students and were evaluated by Wayne Watkins, Harnoor Singh, and a member of the Scott Scholars Leadership Council. 33 incoming students were admitted and one student deferred admission to fall 2022. The modified process remained effective in identifying and matriculating a diverse and talented cohort. A total of 14 women and 5 underrepresented minority students will matriculate as Scott Scholars this fall. The average ACT for admitted students is 32.4. Focus was placed on optimizing the selection of students with high positive impact potential. Optimal characteristics were expected to include among others: 1. Achievement focused, self-starters, drive, innovative and clear thinking 2. Effective communication and interpersonal skills 3. Strong commitment to STEM, passion for learning, service focused, and value creation driven 4. Humility 5. Exceptional cognitive skills especially related to STEM
METRICS THAT MATTER 110
10
TOTAL APPLICATIONS
WAIT‒LISTED
68
27
TOTAL INTERVIEWS
DECLINED
41
32
OFFERS MADE
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
MATRICULATING
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
9
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
JANUARY 1, 2021
Scott Scholars Supplemental Application opened for 20202021 cohort
Second Interview Date Candidates Notified of Decision
NOVEMBER 21, 2020
JANUARY 9, 2021
Priority Candidate Interview Date
Final Interview Date
DECEMBER 1, 2020
JANUARY 17, 2021
Priority Candidates Notified of Decision
Final Candidates Notified of Decision
DECEMBER 5, 2020
MAY 1, 2021
Second Interview Date
Deadline to Accept Scott Scholarship
10 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
THE MODEL
The Scott Scholars model has been updated, expanded in STEM disciplines, refined, and validated. It currently has the opportunity, leadership, and potential access to resources, to significantly expand its positive impact; this is due to the leadership and support of Walter Scott Jr., the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Greater Omaha community, the current Scott Scholars, and alumni.
I. ACADEMICS TO ACHIEVE THE LEARNER READY PROGRAM OUTCOMES IN EACH STUDENT’S SELECTED ACADEMIC MAJOR(S). COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Biology Chemistry Economics Mathematics Molecular & Biomedical Biology Neuroscience Physics COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Economics COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, & HUMAN SCIENCES
Biomechanics
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Architectural Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Construction Management Electrical Engineering COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Bioinformatics Computer Science Cybersecurity IT Innovation Management Information Systems COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Aviation
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
11
II. WHOLE PERSON DEVELOPMENT TO ACHIEVE LEADER AND COMMUNITY READY PROGRAM OUTCOMES SUPPORTING EACH STUDENT’S CUSTOMIZED DEVELOPMENT. A. Scott Residence Hall – living and learning community. B. Leadership class and council. C. Stanford Design Thinking learning and skills development. D. Harvard SMART Program (Stress Management and Resilience Training). E. Civic and community action projects. F. Special Experiential Learning Projects and events such as: Aspen Ideas Festival, Ed Tech Conference, Clinton Global Initiative University, app development projects (some with Apple), and study abroad support. G. Self-paced and customized online learning to help achieve additional basic competencies. Examples include: software coding, personal finance, personal wellness, economic and legal systems, accounting, global appreciation, and career development.
III. IMPACT TO ACHIEVE THE CAREER READY PROGRAM OUTCOMES SUPPORTING EACH STUDENT’S PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. A. Mentoring by Scott Scholars program administrators, faculty, and external professional. B. Networking and STEM focused careers and employment. C. Research and innovation. D. Emerging enterprise creation and support of community and societal challenges.
12 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
SCOTT SCHOLARS AND DESIGN THINKING
Students in the Scott Scholars program participate in an educational program that challenges them to apply the creative and human-centered powers of design thinking to solve complex and ambiguous real world problems. Scott Scholars enter the program with a desire to make a real impact in their communities and the world. We believe they can start immediately. First year Scott Scholars are enrolled in a foundational leadership development course that challenges them to learn the process of design thinking and apply it immediately to problems happening right now. Students partner with non-profit, corporate, and government organizations to develop solutions that address challenges faced by the organization. Scott Scholars partner with mission-driven organizations looking to co-design human-centered solutions to the most pressing challenges facing their organization. Selected organizations and outcomes from 2020-2021 are listed below. MUNROE-MEYER INSTITUTE AT NEBRASKA MEDICINE
EMERGENCY MEDICINE AT NEBRASKA MEDICINE
Scott Scholars worked with a team of academics and dentists from UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, Children’s Hospital, and Clarkson College to transform the dental experience for neurodivergent patients.
Four Scott Scholars partnered with Nebraska Medicine to reimagine the process by which patients and providers communicate effectively when language barriers exist. Students interviewed providers, patients, and administrative team members to identify gaps in the system. Students delivered five technical and process based solutions.
MAVERICK FOOD PANTRY Student designers created a mobile application for UNO’s Maverick Food Pantry. The app will allow faculty, staff, and students to seamlessly access healthy food options. The app will also support UNO’s food recovery efforts by deploying push-notifications to alert users of surplus food availability after campus events. UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND (USSTRATCOM) Five Scott Scholars were challenged to analyze the process by which USSTRATCOM fields system-of-systems updates. The student design team delivered recommendations for new policies and processes designed to make system-of-systems updates more efficient, timely, and cost-effective.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
13
14 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
LEADERSHIP YOU LEARNING TO LEAD, DESIGN, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY MATTER.
All first-year Scott Scholars (33) were enrolled in a three-credit Leadership Development course taught by Dr. Daniel J. Shipp, Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Harnoor Singh, M.S., Director of Student Development for Scott Scholars. The purpose of the leadership course is to prepare students with the basic knowledge and development skills needed to serve as successful, responsible leaders in their chosen careers and communities. Students were exposed to foundational leadership theories and challenged to explore personal and social competencies associated with effective collaboration and leadership. Specific topics that were explored in the course included: social change, collaboration empathy, intentional change, inspiration, interpersonal skills, coaching and feedback, strengths, leadership identity development, community engagement, design thinking, and intercultural competence.
SELECTED COURSE TEXTS AND READINGS › Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee › The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni › Dare To Matter: Your Path to Making a Difference Now by Jordan Kassalow
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
15
LEADERSHIP YOU › Week 1: Design Challenge, ePortfolio Discussion › Week 2: Dare to Matter Introduction › Week 3: Design Challenge Presentations › Week 4: Introduction to Design Thinking › Week 5: Problem Pitches by Local Organizations › Week 6: Design Thinking: Empathy › Week 7: Design Thinking: Define › Week 8: Design Thinking: Ideate › Week 9: Design Thinking: Prototype › Week 10: Design Thinking: Test › Week 11: Group Presentation › Week 12: Group Presentation › Week 13: Group Presentation › Week 14: Group Presentation › Week 15: Prep Week › Week 16: Final Exam
16 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
NATIONAL SECURITY INNOVATION NETWORK In an effort to improve the quality of experiential opportunities available for Scott Scholars, a collaborative partnership with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) was launched in 2020. The partnership led to mutually beneficial outcomes for both organizations. Scott Scholars leveraged human-centered design thinking to solve real challenges faced by the Department of Defense (DoD). Wade Watts was hired as the University Program Director for NSIN and was charged with identifying problem sets to be tackled by Scott Scholars. In the fall of 2020, UNO Scott Scholars delivered solutions to problem sets presented by the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. Four Scott Scholars also participated in the X-Force Fellowship.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
17
L O G A N D UNL O P, F R E S H M A N C Y B E R S E C U R I T Y, O M A H A , N E B E D E F ULT O N, F R E S H M A N M AT H E M AT I C S , L I N C O L N, N E
BEING ABLE TO DO THE PROBLEM SOMETHING LIKE THAT ONLY STATEMENT REQUIRED A SEMESTER INTO COLLEGE OUR TEAM TO CREATE AN WAS A REALLY UNIQUE EFFECTIVE USER INTERFACE EXPERIENCE. I HAD NEVER FOR PEOPLE IN COMBAT WORKED WITH THE MARINES TO UQ ICKLY LOCATE BEFORE. JUST TO BE ABLE TO INFORMATION. BEING ABLE SAY I HELPED THE MARINES, TO SERVE MY COUNTRY KNOWING WHAT I WAS DOING AND WORK FOR A GREATER WAS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, CAUSE DREW ME TO THIS AND IMPLEMENTING THINGS PROJECT OVER OTHER THAT WOULD BE USED AT INTERNSHIPS. THE RECRUITING STATION WAS SOMETHING I HADN’ T REALLY EXPERIENCED BEFORE.
H A IL E Y B I X L E R , F R E S H M A N C O M P U T E R S C I E N C E , N E L I G H, N E
W IL L K I S K E R , S E N I O R E L E C T R I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G , T R E N T O N, N E
18 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
MUNROE-MEYER INSTITUTE
Since 1919, the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) has been an advocate and ambassador for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2020, the Scott Scholars were recruited to help design a world-class dental experience for patients and families at MMI’s Caring for Champions Dental Clinic. Six Scott Scholars participated in a ten-week design internship in which they collaborated with academic leaders, dentists, patients, and families to create patient and family-centered solutions. Through a series of interviews, student designers uncovered actionable insights and created a series of solutions to complement the redesigned space at MMI. The internship culminated with a final presentation and delivery of two prototypes.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
The Team of Champions Playbook mobile app will serve as the facilitator of sensory accommodations and adaptations suggested by the design team. Families and caregivers will use the app to share secure patient information designed to create a seamless and patient-friendly experience during the dental visit. Sensory modifications in the operatory room will be designed to lessen the anxiety. Auditory, olfactory, and tactile adaptations will be controlled by the app.
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
19
UNIVERSITY INNOVATION FELLOWS In 2020, two University of Nebraska at Omaha Scott Scholars participated in the University Innovation Fellows. The University Innovation Fellows is a program of Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school). The program was created as part of the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), a five-year National Science Foundation grant (20112016), and became part of the d.school in July 2016.
The University Innovation Fellows program empowers students to become leaders of change in higher education. Fellows are leading a global movement to ensure that all students gain the attitudes, skills and knowledge required to navigate a complex world. These student leaders from schools around the world create new opportunities that help their peers develop an entrepreneurial mindset, build creative confidence, seize opportunities, define problems and address global challenges. Fellows are responsible for creating student innovation spaces, founding entrepreneurship organizations, hosting experiential events, and working with faculty and administrators to develop courses. They serve as advocates for lasting institutional change with academic leaders and represent their schools at national events.
R YA N C H A P M A N, J U N I O R BIOINFORMATIC S, OMAHA, NE
In 2020, Lavanya Uppala and Ryan Chapman worked with other UNO students to conceptualize and establish a student organization and university-wide design studio. Mavericks for Change will be designed as a space for students to facilitate their own project ideas alongside other student leaders and university faculty and staff. Students will have access to resources and employment opportunities that leverage design thinking to create positive change on UNO’s campus.
L AVA N YA UP P A L A , J U N I O R BIOINFORMATIC S, COMPUTER SCIENCE, B I O L O G Y, O M A H A , N E
20 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
COMMUNITY IMPACT ACTION PROJECTS 33 first year Scott Scholars participated in over 600 hours of technical community service in support of three Omaha area community organizations. The Scott Scholars Community Impact Action projects were a required element of the first year Leadership Development course. Students utilized design thinking to identify and impact the strategic initiatives of each nonprofit organization. The projects culminated in the development and presentation of actionable prototypes to senior leaders of each organization. Scott Scholars will continue their support of these nonprofit organizations by designing technical solutions for nonprofits until the time of graduation. The economic impact of community service in Fall 2020 was over $14K. RISE – prison reentry program that bridges incarceration to the community and considers all critical steps of one’s journey. RISE prepares and trains people through intensive character development, employment readiness, job creation through entrepreneurship and case management. RISE transforms people in the community by building awareness and empathy, which leads to support and opportunity, thereby lowering recidivism. https://www.seeusrise.org/
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
Arbor Bank was first established in Nebraska City in 1865 and to this day remains the oldest state bank in Nebraska. Committed to investing in the growth of the state, Arbor Bank offers a menu of banking services to customers. Arbor Bank reached out to the Scott Scholars program to challenge students to create innovative business solutions designed to attract younger clients to the bank. https://www.arborbanking.com/default.aspx Nebraska Enterprise Fund supports underserved communities by providing micro and small businesses with access to training, technical assistance and capital. Nebraska Enterprise Fund is a statewide microenterprise intermediary and Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) which provides business development services and financing to micro and small business across Nebraska. Nebraska Enterprise Fund serves a target market of traditionally disadvantaged small businesses, including those owned by people of color, low-income people, women, and veterans. https://nebbiz.org/
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
21
SOFTWARE CODING COURSE APP DEVELOPMENT USING SWIFT
All first-year Scott Scholars (33) were enrolled in a three-credit software development course designed to introduce students to the Swift programming language and to app development. Students worked in teams to identify a need with their partnering community organization and designed and created an app that addressed that need. This course introduced students to the basic concepts of app programming. Students were also provided instruction in user interface design tools and constraints and considerations applicable to app development. The course was developed to emphasize student-driven design and implementation of apps and working cooperatively in teams.
SELECTED COURSE TEXTS AND READINGS › iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide by Christina Keur and Aaron Hillegass › Swift Developer Documentation by Apple Computer
SEMESTER SCHEDULE TITLE: CSCI 2980
› Week 1: Introduction to XCode and Swift › Week 2: Data types in Swift › Week 3: Control flow › Week 4: Initial project proposal presentation › Week 5: Problem Pitches by local organizations › Week 6: Functions and function calls › Week 7: List and list manipulation › Week 8: Review of previous content › Week 9: Additional Swift language features/UI elements › Week 10: Additional Swift language features/UI elements › Week 11: Project work time › Week 12: Project check point › Week 13: Group presentation › Week 14: Group presentation › Week 15: Prep week › Week 16: Final exam
22 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
HACKATHON
In April 2021, the second and third-year Scott Scholars participated in a pilot “Hackathon” program for their community action projects. Teams of three to six students used design thinking methods to create innovative ideas and testable prototypes for problems identified by community partners. The teams received a problem statement on the afternoon of Friday, April 16 and a deadline to create a workable prototype of Sunday, April 18. The weekend included expert coaching from Dr. Kathryn Segovia form the Stanford d.school, meetings with clients, check-ins with coaches, and an interactive final presentation in the Gather.town virtual environment. During the 2020 Fall Semester, it became clear that the vast majority of the students find the opportunity to contribute to community organizations as meaningful and important. This is a caring and capable group. It was also clear that the logistics of team meetings, scheduling, site visits and Covid realities made executing this work very difficult. A wide-ranging conversation with student Shannon McKinley opened up ideas that would meet the goals of the program, and the interests of the students while working around the constraints. Shannon helped change the thinking about the challenges of scheduling - suggesting that the program experiment with intense bursts of service that could be planned well in advance. With the idea in place, the Scott Scholars professional team began working on coordinating schedules, creating an online meeting space using Gather.town, and communicating with nonprofit partners.
THE GATHER.TOWN PLATFORM The uncertainties and risks of Covid-19 opened up the opportunity for a radically different kind of online collaboration. The Hackathon was conducted on Gather.town, a web-based platform that provided a central large gathering space for all participants, private meeting spaces for teams, and significant lobby space for informal conversations among participants. Gather.town uses a proximity-based approach to videoconferencing: as one user’s avatar comes close to another, their video and audio fade in. As a user “walks” away, the audio and video fade out. Gather.town enabled the Hackathon to feel like a traditional conference in many ways and allowed students to share their work with one another and with guests during and after the Hackathon weekend itself.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
23
HACKATHON WEEKEND SCHEDULE FRIDAY, APRIL 16 6 P.M. Dinner, logni and meet teammates ni oy ur Gather.town space 7 P.M. Welcome, collaboration and desing thinnki g aw rmup 8-10 P.M. Student rg oups dig deeper ni to the rp oblem and audience
SATURDAY, APRIL 17 10 A.M.–12 P.M. Desing Thinnki g Session tiw h Dr. Kathryn Segoaiv , Stanford d.school 1 P.M.–3 P.M. Continue ub li ding and testing rp ototyep tiw h real or op tential users 3 P.M.–5 P.M. Start ow rk on the revsi ed rp ototyep and retest tiw h users 5 P.M.-midnihg t. Begni draftni g a storyob ard of r a 3-minute div eo to show how the ni novation liw l ow rk
SUNDAY, APRIL 18
FUTURE PLANS
10 A.M.–12:30 P.M. Finsi h up any rp ototynip g and ow rk on naliniz g any documentation. Deliev r a 3-minute div eo showni g the rp oblem and a solution.
The teams were able to develop a wide variety of ideas and create videos that documented their processes and their first prototypes. At the end of the 2020-2021 academic year, the teams coordinated with each other and program staff to document their progress and set plans for light communication with partners. The table that follows this report contains a detailed description of the problems, the products and the next steps for each team.
2-4 P.M. Meet ab ck on Gather.town of r rp esentation and uj dgni g
While the teams have been charged with maintaining some light communication with their partners over the summer, the bulk of this work is expected to happen in the Fall 2021 semester. Most of the teams were able to create a vision and a rough prototype of their ideas to meet their nonprofit partners’ challenges. When the Scott Scholars return to campus, they will move their work from rough prototypes to more robust deliverables that the partner organizations could use in their daily work.
24 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
HACKATHON TEAM
PROBLEM STATEMENT
HACKATHON PRODUCT
AIM
How might AIM position and market its Intro to Technology course to larger audiences in underserved communities?
Proposal for outreach efforts at wider community events https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xOdf6eefDU
CIVIC NEBRASKA 1
What tools and experiences could Scott Scholars “Summer Challenge” series of curricular and co-curricular activities create to help students, and those helping students through difficult post-pandemic https://youtu.be/kI6GRvJ0v9M transitions?
CIVIC NEBRASKA 2
Create a citizen science project that Civic Nebraska could use with its afterschool programs across all of Nebraska.
“Student Storm” students collect weather data on the ground to complement meteorologists research https://youtu.be/vuDSEzBQC_Q
NO MORE EMPTY POTS
How can NMEP get more market rate participants to participate in the communityharvest box program?
OMAHA BY DESIGN 1
Create a “toolbox” for people 16-25 to learn about and ultimately express a vision for what Omaha neighborhoods could look like.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
Proposal to market community harvest to wider audience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ3vhMJFhiY
Trek Points” Interactive QR code survey system embedded in physical spaces https://youtu.be/Q0zpbmsjMpI
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
25
Create a visualization that identifies and shows Physical piston map and augmented reality map to visualize the amount of land in Omaha quantified by use Omaha urban data (how much land is vacant, industrial, commercial, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbFp49YRiTQ housing, parking etc.).
Create a visualization that identifies and shows Physical prototype of map that documents Omaha’s growth the amount of land in Omaha quantified by use in residential density over time (how much land is vacant, industrial, commercial, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0naIblZi1k housing, parking etc.).
Create a “toolbox” of empathy-building activities First version of Empathy Toolbox created ready to deliver: that would help Omaha Street School students practice and develop empathy for peers and https://youtu.be/jf9g4UsdI_A others in the community.
How might ODM strengthen connections among Movie night with Open Door Mission clients and volunteers volunteers and clients? https://youtu.be/Pie_dYawIOQ
How might you help other nonprofits, and/ or women studying STEM at other universities replicate your success?
How might you continue to build on the work of creating more accessible STEM materials and kits?
Working version of website to share Sisters in STEM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft-OINtv-qQ https://sites.google.com/unomaha.edu/sisters-in-stem/ home
Plan for the trailer complete and significant development with app https://youtu.be/qVgp_kjjKcY https://sites.google.com/unomaha.edu/ stemkitinnovators/team
26 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
Parents and adolescents often misunderstand each other when talking about their fears with using technology.
Prototype of Trust Journal created https://youtu.be/plMxN4U8OYY
“Brownie Points” - working prototype with points, rewards How might we help children and families reduce and competition for putting your phone away at night media consumption at night? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9sCTtWWdEQ
“Fish Tank” Concept - maker space designed for community What would a Scott Scholars and UNO presence and Scott Scholars to use together be like in the Ashton Building? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywX6baekX5Q
How might we make it easier for alumni to connect with one another over shared interests, careers, or location, even if they did not know each other while at UNO?
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
Prototype of Alumni Database with Google Sheets and tied to Google maps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN-NApnSGMU
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
27
28 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS
Electronic portfolios, also known as ePortfolios, “are web-based, student generated collections of learning artifacts (papers, multimedia projects, speeches, images, etc.) and related reflections, focused on learning and growth” (Eynon & Gambino, 2017). All first year Scott Scholars students created and maintained an individual ePortfolio. The goal of the ePortfolio initiative for Scott Scholars was to illustrate significant learning both in and out of the classroom, while also teaching students on how to become curators of their own learning. The Scott Scholar ePortfolios are mapped to the program learning outcomes on the back end while the external-facing content is organized in a way that is responsive to the needs of students and prospective employers.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
29
STUDENT ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS Morgan Baker
Bede Fulton
Jack Moore
https://morgancbaker.weebly.com/
https://bedefulton.weebly.com/
https://jelimoore.xyz/
Tristan Bertsch
Ryan Gaughen
Bekah Nelson
https://tristanbertsch.weebly.com/
https://ryangaughen.weebly.com/
https://bekahnelson.weebly.com/
Hailey Bixler
Alexandra Guido
Joshua Oarhe
https://hbixler.weebly.com/
https://alexandraguido.weebly.com/
https://joshoarhe.weebly.com/
Benjamin Bugenhagen
Solana Honda
Ava Rech
https://benjaminbugenhagen.weebly. com/
https://solanahonda.weebly.com/
https://avarech.weebly.com/
Noa Jurgens
Evan Riley
https://noajurgens.weebly.com/
https://evanjriley.weebly.com/
Jonathon Keller
Claire Schweikert
https://jonskeller.weebly.com/
https://claireschweikert.weebly.com/
Aedan Leahy
Dianna Sledge
https://aedanleahy.weebly.com/
https://diannasledge.weebly.com/
Jarret Linscott
Grace Tetschner
https://jarretlinscott.weebly.com/
https://gracetetschner.weebly.com/
Thomas Maline
Kelsi Weilage
https://freykatie.weebly.com/
https://thomastinwingsmaline.weebly. com/
https://kelsiweilage.weebly.com/
Reece Fuchs
Ax Martinelli
https://reecefuchs.weebly.com/
https://ammartinelli.weebly.com/
Ian Fuelberth
Kailee Matras
https://ianfuelberth.weebly.com/
https://kaileematras.weebly.com/
Evan Clement https://evanclement.weebly.com/
Joshua Davies https://joshuatdavies.weebly.com/
Logan Dunlop https://logandunlop.weebly.com/
Ollie Edwards https://edwardsolivia.weebly.com/
Katie Frey
Allie Wilson https://alliewilsonn.weebly.com/
Ellie Zentner https://elliezentner.weebly.com/
30 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
HARVARD STRESS MANAGEMENT & RESILIENCY TRAINING (SMART) The Stress Management and Resiliency Training – Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (SMART-3RP) is a program originally created at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University. The SMART – 3RP program was administered to all first-year Scott Scholars (33). Students engaged in eight virtual training sessions led by Dr. Rebecca L. Wysoske, M.D. The sessions focused on developing competencies in meditation and mindfulness techniques. The goal is for students to be able to identify strategies to combat dysfunctional patterns of thinking and responding. Resiliency, stress management and proper sleep hygiene were emphasized to promote greater self-care for this group of highachieving students. Sophomores and juniors (71) participated in a series of four workshops focused on reviewing concepts of resiliency and stress management. Five measures of mindfulness, cognitive insight, and perceived stress were administered to all Scott Scholar participants at three points during the 2018-2019 academic year. The five measures include: 1. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) – ten-item Likert-scored measure of perceived stress in the previous four weeks. Scores range from 0 to 40 with the following cutoffs: > Scores ranging from 0-13 would be considered low stress. > Scores ranging from 14-26 would be considered moderate stress. > Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress. 2. Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) – 15-item scale designed to assess core characteristics of individual mindfulness, namely, open or receptive awareness of and attention to what is taking place in the present moment. Scores are calculated by taking the average score of the 15 items (range 0 to 6). Higher scores reflect higher levels of mindfulness. The national average MAAS score is 3.86. 3. Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R) – ten-item measure developed to assess individual differences in generalized optimism versus pessimism. Scores range from 0 to 24 with higher scores representing more optimism. 4. Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) – 15-item measure developed to evaluate patients’ self-reflectiveness and their overconfidence in their interpretations of their experiences. Three domains are assessed: 1) Self-Reflectiveness, nineitems measuring objectivity, reflectiveness, and openness to feedback; 2) Self-Certainty, six-items that measure decisionmaking and resistance to feedback; and 3) cognitive insight composite calculated by subtracting the score for the selfcertainty scale from the self-reflectiveness scale; a score of 10 points or more signifies strong cognitive insight. 5. PROMIS Social Isolations Scale – The PROMIS Social Isolation scale is an 8-item measure of social support, interpersonal relationships, and perceived access to available social networks. Scores range from 8 to 40 and are converted to T-Scores. The National average is T=50 with higher scores indicating more isolation.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
31
SMART SESSIONS › Session 1: SMART › Session 2: The Relaxation Response › Session 3: Stress Awareness › Session 4: Mending Mind and Body › Session 5: Creating an Adaptive Perspective › Session 6: Promoting Positivity › Session 7: Healing States of Mind › Session 8: Humor, Empathy and Staying Resilient
WHOLE SESSIONS › Session 1: Mindfulness › Session 2: Stress Response › Session 3: Gratitude › Session 4: Resilience
METRICS THAT MATTER > 33 first year Scott Scholars participated in 8 Stress Management and Resiliency Training Workshops
> 71 second and third year Scott Scholars participated in 4 Wellness Workshops
> 27% Increase
Pre- and Post-test results reflecting overall to generalized optimism
> 22% Increase
Pre- and Post-test results reflecting a self-reflectiveness and openness to feedback from peers and supervisors
32 W HOLE PERSON DE V ELOPMEN T
SUMMER 2021 DESIGN STUDIO INTERNSHIPS The Design Studio Internship Program launched in the summer of 2020 and was brought back in May of 2021. Nine students were placed in teams to deliver technical solutions for USSTRATCOM and Nebraska Medicine.
USSTRATCOM
ANALYZE THE PROCESS BY WHICH STRATCOM FIELDS SYSTEM-OF-SYSTEMS UPDATES
› Jackson Haselhorst, Project Lead – Junior › Carter Brehm, Freshman › William Harr, Freshman › Stone Connor-Hoffmann, Freshman › Davis Hill, Freshman
NEBRASKA MEDICINE
PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO IMPACT THE ADVERSE HEALTH OUTCOMES WHICH RESULT FROM LANGUAGE BARRIERS BETWEEN PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS.
› Zander Gibney, Project Lead – Junior › Toby Heinemann, Freshman › Esther Samuel, Freshman › Jackson Ward, Freshman
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
33
34 IMPAC T
NuCo STUDIO
NuCo Studio Inc. was formed in 2020 as a new company to support selected Scott Scholars and the community. Created to explore, design, and develop technologies that empower businesses to prototype and deploy innovative ideas. NuCo Studio Inc. is a student led and student run enterprise.
NUCO’S TAKE ON DEVELOPMENT
OUR COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS
In following the Design Thinking Process, NuCo treats every development opportunity as a unique problem to solve. By prototyping and developing products, the goal is to put both tried and true industry standards as well as emergent technologies to the test. Being willing to branch out and try new solutions helps NuCo Studio Inc. stay up to date with the most tailored and useful methods of meeting client objectives and expands the software and hardware capabilities of our team. For NuCo, no design challenge is too tough it is only a matter of learning the right skills.
Starting off as student developers themselves, NuCo’s team is dedicated to giving students the opportunity to prove themselves, gain real world product design experience, and bring new ideas to light. We hope to be able to provide internships and employment opportunities for students that give exposure to design philosophies as well as mobile, web, and hardware development that are rarely explored in the classroom.
OUR PURPOSE NuCo is a one-stop shop for software and hardware development needs. From enterprise quality mobile and web applications to custom microprocessor system design, NuCo engineers develop solutions that fit the needs of the customer.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
35
TOOLS UTILIZED BY NUCO STUDIO INC. › Flutter/Dart › Angular › Firebase › Java › Assembly
EXAMPLES OF OUR WORK
› C › Swift/XCode
MAVERICK FOOD PANTRY MOBILE/WEB APP
› Ansible
The UNO Maverick Food Pantry supports the dietary and personal hygiene needs of students, faculty, and staff at UNO and UNMC. Requests for food packages can be submitted through a NuCodesigned mobile app twice per week. Each package contains approximately two days worth of non-perishable items and personal hygiene products. A web application was also developed so the administrators of the Maverick Food Pantry can manage orders.
› Html/Css/Typescript › Oracle Database › Perl › Verilog HDL › OrCAD/Eagle/EasyEDA › Arduino › ARM and 8051 microprocessors
36 IMPAC T
CAREER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
The Scott Scholars Career Development Institute (CDI) serves Scott Scholars by connecting their professional interests with internship and career opportunities in existing and emerging fields. CDI assists all Scott Scholars with placement, advisory, networking, promotional, and publicity services through self-exploration, career preparation, and ultimately launching into Nebraska corporations and communities.
EXPLORE
LAUNCH
› Gallup Strengths Assessment
› Individualized Summer Experiences (Corporate Internships, National Research Laboratories)
› Individual Coaching Sessions › Resume & Cover Letter Review
› Job-shadow Program
› Job & Internship Search Assistance
› Company Site Visits
› LinkedIn Profile Reviews
› Access to Scott Scholar-specific Internship and Job Opportunities
› Mock Interviews › Navigating Job & Internship Offers
PREPARE › Tailored Career Workshops & Modules › CareerTalks I: Resume Refresher › CareerTalks II: Finding an Internship › CareerTalks III: Mastering the Career Fair › CareerTalks IV: Interview Strategies › CareerTalks V: LinkedIn & Professional Communication › CareerTalks VI: Making the Most of Your Summer Experience › CareerTalks VII: Next Steps: Adulting & Financial Literacy › Vetted and Approved Resumes › Practice Interview Events › Industry Networking Opportunities
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
› Engagement with Scott Scholar Alumni Network
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
37
METRICS THAT MATTER > 93% (120/129) secured full-time employment (fourth year students) and/or summer internships (first-third year students). Remaining students opted to enroll in summer coursework. > Selected internship, and full-time employment opportunities included positions with Apple Computer, HDR, Union Pacific, Kiewit, Epic, Olsson Associates, and the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI). > $78,000.00*: Average yearly salary of 2021 graduating Scott Scholar. *Does not include benefits > Over 200 hours of dedicated career education provided to Scott Scholars.
DEDICATED CAREER EDUCATION
10 HRS
Outcome Reporting
10 HRS
Newsletter and Module Development and Delivery
20 HRS Employer Meetings
20 HRS
CDI Program Planning
35 HRS
Workshops
150 HRS
Student meetings and follow-up email support
38 IMPAC T
APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL RECOGNITION
The Scott Scholars Program was recently selected as an Apple Distinguished School. Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology and represent some of the most innovative schools in the world. There are only 400 Apple Distinguished Schools in the world and the Scott Scholars program marks the first time a program within a university has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. › Scott Scholars are provided with a MacBook Pro for use during the duration of the scholarship.
› First-year Scott Scholars are provided training in the Swift programming language. › Through design-thinking challenges, students continuously use a wide variety of Apple technologies to further enhance their prototypes. › Scott Scholars participating in the Design Studio are provided an iPhone for use during app development.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
39
The Scott Scholars Program has partnered with the College of Information Science and Technology to establish a mobile application coding course for first year Scott Scholars. Mobile application development in SWIFT enables students to create software applications for local community organizations. Seven Scott Scholars traveled to Cupertino, California to participate in an Executive Briefing at Apple Computer headquarters. The Scott Scholars presented their work and learning experiences related to the two mobile applications that were developed in the summer of 2019. In conjunction with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Apple Computer, Scott Scholars assisted in the development and launch of a new mobile app, 1- Check COVID, to help guide the screening of individuals for COVID-19 infection and to aid first responders and other health care providers in determining a person’s likelihood of carrying the disease. In response to delayed and canceled internship and employment opportunities, the Scott Scholars Design Studio Internship Program launched in May 2020. Students were placed in teams to deliver solutions designed to impact housing insecurity in the Omaha metropolitan area, the COVID-19 pandemic response, nextgeneration STEM-based scholarship programs, and to connect civic and corporate projects with the university community. Senior Scott Scholar Jacob Hansen was hired by Apple Computer in March of 2021 to serve as a software developer for ApplePay.
40 AC A DEMIC S
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
41
ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING & DEGREE GRANTING
Scott Scholars are enrolled each year in programs of study within selected academic programs associated with the UNL College of Engineering, the UNO College of Information Science & Technology, the UNO College of Arts and Sciences, the UNO College of Business Administration (Economics) and the UNO College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Biomechanics).
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES BIOLOGY CHEMISTRY ECONOMICS MATHEMATICS MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY NEUROSCIENCE PHYSICS
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING 43 44 47 49 50 50 51
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ECONOMICS
47
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, & HUMAN SCIENCES BIOMECHANICS
43
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING CIVIL ENGINEERING COMPUTER ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
42 45 45 46 48
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY BIOINFORMATICS COMPUTER SCIENCE CYBERSECURITY IT INNOVATION MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
44 45 47 48 49
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNITY SERVICE AVIATION
42
42 AC A DEMIC S
APPROVED ACADEMIC PATHWAYS AVIATION BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 40-46 Hours of University General Education Courses 19 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 19 Hours of University General Education Courses AVN 3060 Writing in Aviation AVN 3600 International Aviation PA 3000 Applied Statistics and Data Processing in Public Sector
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 129 Hours of Major Education Courses Common Hours for all three fields of specialization, examples include: AREN 1030 AE Design & Simulation Studio I MECH 2000 Engineering Thermodynamics MECH 3250 Mechanics of Elastic Bodies
24 Hours of Major Requirements, examples include:
18 Hours of Lighting and Electrical Option, examples include:
AVN 1020 Private Pilot Theory
AREN 4120 Building Energy II: Primary and Secondary Systems
AVN 1160 Aviation Safety
18 Hours of Structural Option, examples include:
AVN 2020 Airline Operations
27-43 Hours in Required Concentration, examples include: AVN 3000 Business and Corporate Aviation AVN 3040 Human Factors in Aviation Safety AVN 4500 Advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems Procedures
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
CIVE 443 Advanced Structural Analysis CIVE 440 Reinforced Concrete Design I
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
43
BIOLOGY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 46 Hours of University General Education Courses 19 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 19 Hours of University General Education Courses BIOL 1450 Biology I BIOL 1750 Biology II BIOL 3020 Molecular Biology of the Cell
19 Hours of Major Requirements, examples include:
BIOMECHANICS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 39 Hours of University General Education Courses 32 Hours of Natural Science Courses, examples include: BIOL 1450 Biology I BIOL 1750 Biology II BMCH 2400 Human Anatomy and Physiology
19 Hours of Mathematics Courses
BIOL 3240 Introduction to Immunology
24 Hours of Movement Sciences Courses, examples include:
BIOL 3740 Histology
BMCH 3000 Biomechanical Statics & Dynamics
BIOL 4740 Animal Physiology
BMCH 4100 Bioinspired Robotics
51 Hours in Required Concentration, examples include: BIOL 4450 Virology
BMCH 4630 Orthopaedic Biomechanics BMCH 4650 Neuromechanics of Human Movement
BIOL 4860 Comparative Genomics
6 Hours of Behavioral Sciences Courses, examples include:
BIOL 4960 Advanced Genetics
PSYC 1010 Introduction to Psychology PSYC 4440 Abnormal Psychology
44 AC A DEMIC S
BIOINFORMATICS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 120 Hours of Major Education Courses 46 Hours of University General Education Courses 13 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below
CHEMISTRY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 46 Hours of University General Education Courses 21 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 34 Hours of Chemistry Courses, examples include:
24 Hours of Bioinformatics Course, examples include:
CHEM 2250 Organic Chemistry
CIST 1400 Introduction to Computer Science
CHEM 2500 Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
CIST 2500 Introduction to Applied Statistics for IS&T
CHEM 3350 Physical Chemistry
CSCI 3320 Data Structures
CHEM 4650 Biochemistry
11 Hours of Mathematics Courses, examples include:
10 Hours of Mathematics Courses
MATH 1950 Calculus I
9 Hours of Biology Courses, examples include:
MATH 2030 Discrete Mathematics
BIOL 2140 Genetics
16 Hours of Biology Courses, examples include:
BIOL 4450 Virology
BIOL 1450 Biology I
BIOL 4860 Comparative Genomics
BIOL 3020 Molecular Biology of the Cell
14 Hours of Chemistry Courses, examples include:
21 Hours of Advanced Chemistry Courses, examples include:
CHEM 1140 Fundamentals of College Chemistry
CHEM 4310 Polymer Chemistry
CHEM 2210 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
CHEM 4670 Protein Purification and Characterization
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
45
CIVIL ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
COMPUTER ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
130 Hours of Major Education Courses
124 Hours of Major Education Courses
12 Hours to be completed after admission to College of Engineering, examples include:
32 Hours of Mathematics and Physics, examples include:
CIVE 112 Introduction to Civil Engineering
MATH 1950 Calculus I
CIVE 130 Computer-Aided Design
PHYS 2110 General Physics I
CIVE 361 Highway Engineering
MATH 2350 Differential Equations
43 Hours Major Requirements, examples include: CIVE 334 Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering CIVE 352 Introduction to Water Resources Engineering CIVE 378 Materials Construction
9 Hours of Computer Science, examples include: CSCI 3320 Data Structures
15 Hours in Humanities and Social Sciences, examples include: CMST 1110 Public Speaking Funds ENGR 4690 Technology, Science, and Civilization
21 Hours of Computer Science Core Extension Courses, examples include: CYBR 3600 Information Security Policy and Awareness CYBR 4450 Host-Based Vulnerability Discovery CYBR 4460 Network-Based Vulnerability Discovery
7 Hours of Elective/Prerequisite Courses
46 AC A DEMIC S
COMPUTER SCIENCE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
46 Hours of University General Education Courses 15 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 18 Hours of College of IS&T Core courses, examples include:
120 Hours of Major Education Courses
CIST 2100 Organizations, Applications and Technology
PHYS 1120 General Physics
CIST 3110 Information Technology Ethics
CNST 2420 Vertical Construction
16 Hours of Mathematics Courses 27 Hours of Computer Science Core Courses, examples include: CSCI 4250 Human Computer Interaction CSCI 4480 Algorithms for Robotics CSCI 4900 Internet Systems Development
21 Hours of Computer Science Core Extension Courses, examples include: CYBR 3600 Information Security Policy and Awareness CYBR 4450 Host-Based Vulnerability Discovery CYBR 4460 Network-Based Vulnerability Discovery
7 Hours of Elective/Prerequisite Courses
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
8 Semesters of Coursework, examples include: CNST 1310 Introduction to the Construction Industry
CNST 3310 Structural Mechanics LAWS 3930 Business Law Fundamentals CONE 2030 Engineering Economics CNST 3320 Structural Optimization
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
47
CYBERSECURITY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
ECONOMICS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
120 Hours of Major Education Courses
46 Hours of University General Education Courses
46 Hours of University General Education Courses 13 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 21 Hours of Computer Science Course, examples include:
12-19 Hours of College Breadth courses, examples include:
CSCI 1620 Introduction to Computer Science II
51 Hours of Major Requirements, examples include:
CSCI 3320 Data Structures
ECON 2200 Principles of Economics (Micro)
CSCI 4350 Computer Architecture
ECON 2220 Principles of Economics (Macro)
8 Hours of Mathematics Courses, examples include:
ECON 4990 Senior Assessment
MATH 1950 Calculus I MATH 2030 Discrete Mathematics
27 Hours of Cybersecurity Core Courses, examples include: CYBR 3570 Cryptography CYBR 4450 Host-Based Vulnerability Discovery CYBR 4580 Cybersecurity Capstone
MATH 1370 Applied Algebra and Optimization with Data Analysis Math 1930 Calculus for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences
4-11 Hours of Elective Courses, examples include: CIST 2500 Introduction to Applied Statistics for IS&T STAT 3800 Applied Engineering Probability and Statistics
48 AC A DEMIC S
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
125 Hours of Major Education Courses
120 Hours of Major Education Courses
41 Hours of Required Electrical Engineering Courses, examples include: ECEN 1060 Microprocessor Applications
46 Hours of University General Education Courses 13 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 48 Hours of College of IS&T Core Courses, examples include:
ECEN 2150 Electronics and Circuits 1
CSCI 1200 Computer Science Principles
32 Hours of Required Math and Science Courses, examples include:
CYBR 1100 Introduction to IT Innovation
ECEN 1030 Electrical and Computer Engineering Fundamentals
MATH 1950 Calculus I PHYS 2110 General Physics I MATH 2350 Differential Equations
27 Hours of Technical Requirements, examples include: ECEN 3040 Signals and Systems I ECEN 3060 Electromagnetic Field Theory
CIST 3110 Information Technology Ethics
6 Hours of Mathematics Courses, examples include: MATH 1950 Calculus I CIST 2500 Introduction to Applied Statistics for IS&T
33 Hours of Emphasis Courses, examples include: CSCI 2240 Introduction to C Programming CIST 2500 Introduction to Applied Statistics for IS&T ISQA 4900 Full Stack Development
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
49
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
MATHEMATICS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
46 Hours of University General Education Courses 13 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 15 Hours of College of IS&T Core Courses for MIS Majors, examples include:
46 Hours of University General Education Courses
CYBR 1100 Introduction to Information Security
MATH 1970 Calculus III
CYBR 1300 Introduction to Web Development CIST 2100 Organizations, Applications, and Technology
24 Hours of MIS Core Courses, examples include: ISQA 3310 Managing the Database Environment ISQA 3400 Information Technology Infrastructure ISQA 3910 Introduction to Project Management
6 Hours of Mathematics and Statistics, examples include: MATH 1930 Calculus for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences CIST 2500 Introduction to Applied Statistics for IS&T
15 Hours of Co-Requisite Business Courses, examples include: ACCT 3080 Accounting Information Systems ECON 3200 Economic Theory: Micro MGMT 4030 Human Resource Management
12-19 Hours of College Breadth Course, examples include: MATH 1960 Calculus II
MATH 2350 Differential Equations
65 Hours of Major Requirements, examples include: MATH 2200 Mathematical Computing I MATH 3200 Mathematical Computing. II
Elective Courses as Required to total 120 hours
50 AC A DEMIC S
MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 44 Hours of University General Education Courses 21 hours of which can be satisfied by courses in the required areas below 37 Hours of Biology Courses, examples include: BIOL 2140 Genetics BIOL 3020 Molecular Biology of the Cell BIOL 3240 Introduction to Immunology BIOL 4650 Biochemistry BIOL 4130 Molecular Genetics
NEUROSCIENCE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 46 Hours of University General Education course, examples include: BIOL 2140 Genetics MATH 1940 Calculus for Biomedicine
12-19 Hours of College Breadth courses, examples include: NEUR 4000 Systems Neuroscience NEUR 4870 Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology NEUR 4290 Neuroethology
BIOL 4450 Virology
50-52 Hours of Major Requirements, examples include:
8 Hours of Mathematics Courses
PHYS 4500 Biological Physics
21 Hours of Chemistry, examples include:
CSCI 1200 Computer Science Principles
CHEM 2260 Organic Chemistry CHEM 4610 Biochemistry of Metabolism
10 Hours of Elective/Prerequisite Courses, examples include: BIOI 3000 Applied Bioinformatics ITIN 2220 Applied IT Innovation
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
51
PHYSICS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 46 Hours of University General Education courses, examples include: PHYS 2110 General Physics PHYS 2130 Modern Physics
12-9 Hours of College Breadth courses, examples include: PHYS 3450 Classical Mechanics PHYS 3600 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics PHYS 3750 Electricity and Magnetism I
50-52 Hours of Major Requirements, examples include: PHYS 3800 Optics PHYS 4200 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
52 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
STUDENT PROFILES Students completed Scott Scholars student profiles. These profiles include a professional photo and detailed information related to each student’s research and career interests. The student profiles are displayed on the redesigned Scott Scholars website and accessible to industry, research, and educational partners.
JOSIAH AAKRE | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Josiah is from Omaha, NE and is studying mathematics and secondary education. His faculty mentor is Dr. Kelley Gomez Johnson. His leadership experience includes working as an assistant event coordinator for the UNO Noyce Mathematics internship. This role required him to collaborate with other interns to plan STEM events for middle school and high school students. His internship experience includes teaching robotics and Brick Layer coding to elementary and middle school students attending Aim for the Stars summer camp. In this role, he was responsible for teaching, organizing, demonstrating, problem-solving, and collaborating to keep the camp running smoothly. His research experience includes serving as a Teacher’s Aid to Dr. Dora Velcsov, to deliver lectures over abstract mathematics, hold office hours, and grade homework. His career interests include teaching high school calculus to help inspire students to take an interest in engineering and computer science. VICTORIA ANDERSON | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Victoria is from Lincoln, NE and is studying architectural engineering. Her leadership experience includes serving as the current president of UNO’s Acoustical Society of America student chapter. In this role, she schedules and facilitates meetings, plans events, and participates in online updates with the national chapter. Her internship experience includes working at Clark Enersen Partners, where she gained experience working on HVAC and plumbing systems. She is currently an acoustic consulting intern at BG Buildingworks in Avon, CO. Her research experience includes working under Dr. Lily Wang to conduct a study of restaurant acoustics and reverb time. The findings of the project have been presented at two national chapter meetings of the Acoustical Society of America. Her career interests include smart building technology and sustainable design. KALEB BALL | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Kaleb is from Gretna, NE and is studying computer science, mathematics, and history. His leadership experience includes leading an Eagle Scout project to improve the Hope Center for Kids library, an afterschool program for low-income students in Omaha. In this role, he organized fundraisers, collected supplies, recruited volunteers, and served as the team lead. His internship experience includes working at Werner Enterprises as a software developer, where he is responsible for developing business applications. His research experience includes writing an original research paper as part of his senior history project. The paper focuses on the role of conspiracy theories in America and will be based in part on original primary research. His career interests include computer science and mathematics. He hopes to combine them in the emerging field of data science as a graduate student.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
53
KAITLYN BAYSA | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Kaitlyn is from Omaha, NE and is studying IT Innovation and Spanish. Her leadership experience includes serving as a volunteer coach for a local 6th-grade girls’ basketball team, helping them to develop their skills on and off the court. Her internship experience includes working at TD Ameritrade, where she works as a software developer. She was involved in developing new technology to propel the company’s productivity forward. Her research experience includes working on a research team led by Dr. Magie Hall. In this role, she helps train people experiencing homelessness in Omaha in coding languages and skills that are in-demand within the marketplace to connect them to technology companies, solve the issues of homelessness, and supplying the demand for more people working in IT. She was responsible for researching the best online teaching tools and designing the user interface for the project. Her career interests include innovation, with a focus on language, equity, and diversity. PATRICK BENDA | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Patrick is from Omaha, NE and is studying civil engineering. His leadership experience includes serving as president of the UNO American Society of Civil Engineers and is also co-captain of the concrete canoe team. He is also a dean’s leader for the college of engineering, where he recruits potential students and gives tours of the engineering facilities. His internship experience includes working at Renken Engineering Solutions, where he performed structural engineering work in the telecommunications industry. In this role, he did a structural analysis of cell towers and antenna mounts. His career interests include civil engineering, with an emphasis on structural engineering and infrastructure revitalization. ALEX DUKART | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Alex is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes serving as the chapter president for the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at UNO, the largest Greek organization on campus dedicated to developing men of integrity, intellect, success, and high moral character. As president, he oversees an executive board of 15 men and the six committees that fall under them. He also serves as president for the UNO Dance Marathon, a student-led, philanthropic organization that raises funds and builds awareness for Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. This includes leading a team of 40+ students who are committed to hosting events, initiatives, and campaigns to grow the cause across campus. He also currently holds the vice president position in the Illuminating Engineering Society student chapter at UNL. IESNU strives to develop aspiring lighting designers outside of the classroom by promoting quality lighting design and building a network of support and resources from the local industry. His internship experience includes working as an electrical intern at Morrissey Engineering. In this role, he performs electrical, lighting, and technology design and calculations. He works on a variety of projects in the education, professional services, and housing sectors. Previously, he worked as an electrical engineering intern at Henderson Engineers in Lenexa, KS, on a full-service MEP team in grocery, restaurant, and retail practices. He has also worked as a project intern at The Waldinger Corporation, working with project managers on various construction projects. His career interests include serving as an electrical engineer at an MEP design firm, with a focus on sustainable design.
54 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
EVIE EHRHORN | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Evie is from Papillion, NE and is studying molecular and biomedical biology and bioinformatics. Her leadership experience includes serving as the director of administration for the Mavericks Club for Bioinformatics since her freshman year. In this role, she updates members and the executive board on upcoming bioinformatics opportunities and projects. She also has experience tutoring student-athletes, which required strong organization and communication skills. Her internship and research experience include participating in the INBRE program. Last summer, she worked in the cancer lab of Dr. Rakesh Singh at UNMC. During this project, she researched pancreatic cancer, more specifically, trying to create a prognostic and diagnostic test for this cancer through chemokine signaling. This year, she is entering her second year in the UNO lab of her faculty mentor, Dr. Paul Davis. Her research focuses on an infectious disease, Schistosoma. She has been studying the mechanistic pathway of a certain compound that removes this parasite from the host. She believes that this compound could potentially serve as a compound of interest for many parasitic diseases. Her career interests include achieving a Ph.D. with a specialization in infectious diseases or immunology. She seeks a career devoted to the worldwide eradication of infectious diseases. MORGAN GALLAGHER | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Morgan is from Bellevue, NE and is studying computer engineering and computer science. Her faculty mentor is Dr. Bing Chen. Morgan’s leadership experience includes serving as an executive member for the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers for the last three years, serving as president from 2019-2020. This role involved facing unique management and virtual communications challenges due to the impact of COVID-19. Morgan has also been a TA for several courses and will be accepting a counseling assistant position to better support incoming students in electrical and computer engineering. Morgan’s internship experience includes being part of a virtual internship for the Department of Defense. Morgan worked on miniature ACDC converters and tackled a problem of how to fly a drone over LTE. In this role, Morgan participated in soldering, power systems, and antenna training. Morgan’s career goals are to pursue embedded systems design/research and to work on low-level programming development. JACOB HANSEN | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Jake is from Bennington, NE and is studying computer science, cybersecurity, and business. His leadership experience includes running a scholarship fund for Sigma Phi Epsilon and serving on the Scott Scholars Leadership Council. His internship experience includes interning at Apple, ACI Worldwide, and Gallup. In these roles, he developed internal tooling and cybersecurity auditing. His career interests include cybersecurity and network work security. He hopes to start a cybersecurity consulting firm in the future.
JACKSON HENERY | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Jackson is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science. His internship experience includes working for First Data, where he helped create documentation for their API’s. He was responsible for ensuring documentation conciseness and readability. His career interests include game development, web development, and application design.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
55
SHANNON HIRE | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Shannon is from Omaha, NE and is studying cybersecurity. Her leadership experience includes serving as an officer for The Association for Computing Machinery’s Council on Women in Computing. ACM-W supports, celebrates, and advocates for women in technology fields. As an officer, she recruited members, planned meetings, and other social events. Her internship experience includes working on the Network Design Team at Union Pacific from March 2018-January 2020. As an intern, she used network design concepts to document and configure switches, server clusters, hypervisors, and other network devices. She also worked with technicians in the field to coordinate outages with minimal service impact. Lastly, she wrote scripts in Perl to automate networking tasks. During the summer of 2019, she worked as a software engineering intern at Northrop Grumman. There, she worked on a classified project to evaluate and test software automation tools built by the company to gather data, find bugs, and improve the software’s tools. During this project, she worked mostly in a Unix environment. In January of 2020, she began as an application developer intern at Mutual of Omaha. She wrote automated tests for an internal application using Groovy, Spock, and Geb to ensure the company was meeting customer expectations. During this time, she was working in an Agile environment and regularly wrote stories and tasks and participated in stand-up meetings. During the summer of 2020, she began interning at RetailMeNot. She is currently working on a project that will allow users multiple ways to authenticate themselves when logging into the RetailMeNot website. To implement this feature, she updated the existing back-end database schema and code to store and authenticate users who have multiple authentication methods with their accounts. She also updated the front-end code to design the webpage a user sees when adding an authentication method to their account. During this project, she used Node.js, Postman, SQL, and Knex scripts and worked in an Agile environment. Her career interests include web design and mobile programming. She hopes to work as an Imagineer at Disney World, designing software used in the parks. RILEY KILZER | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Riley is from Lincoln, NE and is studying bioinformatics, chemistry and computer science. His leadership experience includes serving as a leader in multiple volunteer organizations. These organizations include Citylight Church, Nebraska Medicine, Royal Family Kids, and Launch Leadership. In these roles, he would build camaraderie with atrisk children and foster healthy growth for them. His internship experience includes working at General Excavating as a material sales associate. Before this, he was a software engineer at Spreetail. His career interests include pharmaceuticals and medical technology.
WILLIAM KISKER | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Will is from Trenton, NE and is studying electrical engineering. His faculty mentor is Dr. Lim Nguyen. His research experience includes working with Dr. Yasar Demeril on the sustainability ability in energy systems. Through this research, he is studying the feasibility of implementing new technology in existing power plants. His career interests include electrical engineering focusing on power and renewable energy systems.
56 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
LEEANNA LUI | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
LeeAnna is from Omaha, NE and is studying molecular and biomedical biology, chemistry, and bioinformatics. Her leadership experience includes serving as the Community Engagement Director for Chi Omega, where she organized community events to raise money and awareness for Make-A-Wish Nebraska. Also, she promoted the importance of community engagement and volunteering by planning volunteering events for the Chi Omega members. LeeAnna also served as the president of the Mavericks Club for Bioinformatics for the 2019-2020 school year. As president, she organized events for students interested in bioinformatics ranging from social events to academic events focused on the future of the field and different career outlooks. Her research experience includes working in a Molecular Parasitology Lab under the direction of Dr. Paul Davis at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. LeeAnna studies Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis. LeeAnna was previously on a gene detection project, focused on looking at the life stages of T. gondii and its control by genetic factors. Recently, her project has shifted to focus more on combinational drug treatment to treat T. gondii in murine models. Her career interests include medical school, where she hopes to become a practicing physician. GRACE MALINE | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Grace is from Oakland, NE and is studying bioinformatics, chemistry, and computer science. Her leadership experience includes two years as the vice president for the Maverick’s Club for Bioinformatics. She is beginning her second year as vice president of public relations for the UNO Dance Marathon Fundraiser, a student organization that raises money for our local Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. In this role, she is responsible for managing the PR committee and overseeing the organization’s social media platforms. Grace has also served for two years on the Chi Omega sorority executive board as the new member educator and currently as president. In this role, she oversees the executive board, chapter operations, and serves as the liaison for the chapter to the University and Chi Omega National Headquarters. Her internship experience includes participating in the UNMC Summer Undergraduate Research Program in the summer of 2018. There, she was responsible for learning concepts, such as metagenomics and the python programming language. She conducted a research project titled “Functional Annotation of Highly Conserved Phosphatase Proteins Between E. Coli and Human”. In this research, she compared phosphatase protein sequences between E. Coli and humans and found highly conserved phosphatases. She performed functional annotations to learn what sort of phosphatase functions were highly conserved between very distant species. In the summer of 2019, she worked with Dr. Lisa Cazares at the United States Army Medical Research Institute on Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Frederick, Maryland. There, she helped quantify, via western blotting, the concentration of an ebolavirus protein, VP40, in samples that contained different strains of the virus. She also assisted in projects that analyze tissue samples to examine the body’s response to drugs and infectious diseases. Grace wrote a program that would collect and parse Mass Spectrometry data, to search all of the identified metabolites in her database at once. In the summer of 2020, Grace was a headteacher for UNO’s Techademy, where she led an Intro to Bioinformatics class for 8th and 9th graders. In the class, they explored exciting topics in bioinformatics, biology, and programming. Other research experience includes working with Dr. Kate Cooper, where she has been developing a project based on exploring SARs-CoV-2 membrane proteins compared to other strains of coronavirus using publicly available data. Grace’s career interests include becoming a physician. She is considering specialties in either infectious disease or internal medicine at this time. MATTHEW NOAH | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Matthew is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science and mathematics. His leadership experience includes volunteering at local soup kitchens. He also spends his spare time tutoring fellow students. His research experience includes working on a project modeling UNO’s fall enrollment classes. He provided insight on the attempt to slow down the spread of COVID-19, by transitioning classes online and reducing on-campus contact. This information will determine what other courses can transition online in the future. His career interests include software development, both front-end and back-end operations, and data science.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
57
ISAAC POULIN | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Isaac is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science and mathematics. His internship experience includes working at Union Pacific and Lone Mountain Truck Leasing as a software developer. He is currently working at DRT LLC, an IT group established for a group of truck companies. In this role, he has done full-stack software development on many internal systems, including interfacing with various trucking-related APIs, generating company reports for HR, and assisting with the ground-up creation of an in-house dispatch system. His career interests include software development, with an emphasis on full-stack development, as well as a personal interest in game programming. SASHA PRICE | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Sasha is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science and cybersecurity. Her faculty mentor is Dr. Henry Karpf. Her leadership experience includes developing websites to assist small businesses. Her internship experience includes working at TD Ameritrade, where she worked in an AGILE environment to research and implement solutions to production issues on their trading system. Her research experience includes working on a personal program to handle the core aspects and components of Dungeons and Dragons. To do this required learning two new programming languages, discussing design choices with professional developers, and months of ongoing research into the details of the game and its structure. She has also researched the development of smart home products for a small technology startup. Her career interests include working with quantum computing and quantum cryptography. MICHAEL ROOS | SENIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Michael is from Emporia, KS and is studying computer science and cybersecurity. His leadership experience includes volunteering for UNO events and at St. Mary’s Church in Bellevue, NE. His internship experience includes working at Raytheon Technologies, where he works on weather software on a contract with the National Weather Service. His career interests include software engineering and computer science, preferably for the government or government contractor.
KAYLEE TOBIASON | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Kaylee is from Columbus, NE and is studying construction management, business, and real estate. Her faculty mentor is Dr. Kreiling. Her leadership experience includes being a small group leader with a local campus ministry, where she facilitated discussions and provided a safe place to build community. Her internship experience includes working at Lueder Construction, Noddle Companies, and McNeil Company. In these roles, she assisted in the building of several structures around the Omaha area and was responsible for ensuring that the projects stayed on schedule and budget.
MAKENNA WIDHOLM | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Makenna is from Lincoln, NE and is studying architectural engineering. Her leadership experience includes serving as the vice president of the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Earthquake Engineering Research Institute for the 20182019 and 2019-2020 school years. She developed scale models for competition testing held in Vancouver, Canada, and in San Diego, California. She also served as a resident assistant on Scott Campus since 2018, where she assists students in their pathways to independence. Her internship experience includes working as an ambassador for the Nebraska Lottery, where she is in traveling sales and promotions. Her career interests include the design of structural systems within buildings, with a focus on earthquake reinforcements.
58 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
LOGAN WOOD | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Logan is from Bellevue, NE and is studying computer engineering. His leadership experience includes participating in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. His internship experience includes working for Kiewit, where he was responsible for furthering the development of internal technology infrastructure by replacing outdated automation technology. His career interests include computer engineering, where he hopes to design embedded systems.
JACK SCHULZ | SENIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jack is from Fremont, NE and is studying electrical engineering. He has leadership experience as a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). His internship experience includes working at Union Pacific as an IT intern, where he developed a large back-end application from scratch. He has also interned at JEO Consulting Group, where he has been doing many tasks such as drafting in AutoCAD, helping with electrical rate studies and arc flash studies, and design lighting and power layouts. His career interests include many facets of electrical engineering, including electronics design, radio frequencies, and power distribution.
MARCUS BENESCH | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Marcus is from Kearney, NE and is studying computer science and cybersecurity. His leadership experience includes being the scrum master for his internship at Northrop Grumman, where he facilitates the communication between the customer and his team to ensure that they were meeting the customer’s expectations. His internship experience includes working as a software engineer intern for The Rush Market, the National Strategic Research Institute, and Northrop Grumman. In all of these roles, Marcus has worked with agile processes to develop professional software. His career interests include getting a doctorate in computer science and an MBA. He hopes to go into business analytics with machine learning. DANIEL BRESNAHAN | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Daniel is from Stromsburg, NE and is studying computer science and mathematics. His leadership experience includes serving as the chair of the Campus Improvement Committee, where he helped guide fellow senators by drafting legislation to better UNO’s campus. His internship experience includes working as a software engineer at Northrop Grumman, where he used modern web development techniques to move local repositories into distributed cloud-based computing. Additionally, he served as a scrum master to help guide his team and communicate with other groups to guarantee adequate information transfer. His research experience includes working in the Computer Science Lab at UNO, to implement predictive technologies inside of software that automatically rewrites ASP code and ensures positive automatic code revision. His career interests include software engineering and systems engineering, with a focus on space exploration technologies.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
59
RYAN CHAPMAN | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Ryan is from Omaha, NE and is studying bioinformatics and computer science. His leadership experience includes instituting a high school ambassador program for the Scott Scholars Program and serving on the Scott Scholars Leadership Council. Ryan also works on a team to develop a web application to help clients of the Open Door Mission. Additionally, he volunteers at the VA Hospital, where he coordinates volunteer opportunities within his Scott Scholar cohort. His internship experience includes working at Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he developed C# applications to aid developers and used Microsoft Azure to prove that cloud computing could improve data extraction and management within the company. His research experience includes working in the Molecular Parasitology Lab of Dr. Paul Davis, where he is applying bioinformatics to drug discovery. In this research, they are applying single-cell RNA-seq technology to find the cellular genetic targets of novel anti-parasitic drugs. He has also designed a bulk RNA-seq pipeline for analysis of parasite gene expression. His career interests include biomedical and bioinformatics research or becoming a physician specializing in radiology, genetic pathology, or family medicine. JACOB CLEVELAND | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Jacob is from Omaha, NE and is studying mathematics and computer engineering. His leadership experience includes assisting his faculty mentor, Dr. Griff Elder, organize Friday math socials. At these events, colloquiums are given by various math and computer science experts from around the country. His internship experience includes working at NASA Glenn Research Center, where he contributed to several projects in the Intelligent Communications branch of the Space Communications and Navigations division as a Pathways Intern. His research experience includes working under the supervision of Alan Hylton at NASA Glenn Research Center. He helped apply topological approaches to star tracking for spacecraft. The team plans on submitting to the 2021 IEEE AeroConf, as well as patents for the project. His career interests include continuing to graduate school for mathematics and becoming a full-time researcher at NASA, as well as teaching classes. OTTILIE COOPER-OHM | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Ottile is from Council Bluffs, IA and is studying IT Innovation and Russian. Her leadership experience includes serving as the director of media for UNO’s official student programming board, Maverick Productions. She covers student events and manages publicity supporting increased involvement in UNO’s student programs and activities. Her internship experience includes working as a project management intern at Northrop Grumman. Her career interests include storytelling and the ways through which people learn new information. She wants to work her linguistic knowledge into her future career, and her dream job is one where she never does the same thing twice.
GABE DREW | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Gabe is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science. His internship experience includes working for the Scott Scholars Design Studio, where he worked with his team to identify and prototype solutions to home insecurity. He is currently interning with NASA, where he will be writing algorithms for a prototype air traffic control of unmanned vehicles at low altitudes. His career interests include software engineering, with a focus on game design.
60 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
RYAN EHRESMAN | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Ryan is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes being an active member of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. His internship experience includes working as a field office intern for Kiewit on the Seminole Combined Cycle Facility project in Palatka, FL. In this role, he ordered materials, mapped excavation, and completed material takeoffs. His research experience includes participating in a project with Dr. Bora Palutsu, where he will be studying the damage progression in masonry walls within the Omaha area. His career interests include structural engineering, specializing in buildings and bridges.
BRADY FEHR | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Brady is from Omaha, NE and is studying bioinformatics. His internship experience includes working at Fiserv as a software engineer. In that role, he was responsible for creating a tool that automated project scheduling for software engineers. His career interests include bioinformatics, with a focus on the application of networks to biological systems.
COLLEN FINDALL | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Collen is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes serving as treasurer of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, where he helped the team place 10th in an international competition. He also serves as a member of the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership Advisory Committee, where he helps grow the architectural engineering program. He has worked as a field engineering intern for Kiewit on the Arlington Memorial Bridge Rehab project. He also participated in Kiewit’s Virtual Work Experience with over 800 interns. His career interests include structural engineering, with an emphasis on large structures design such as sports stadiums. CAILIN GENTRUP | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Cailin is from Waterbury, NE and is studying architectural engineering and mathematics. Her leadership experience includes being a member of the Society of Women Engineers, which empowers women in the engineering workforce and strives to engage children in STEM. She also volunteers and fundraises for the Omaha Street School. Her internship experience includes working as a field and office engineer intern at Kiewit. In this role, she completed extensive online training and researched past Kiewit projects. Her career interests include electrical and lighting design, with a specialization in residential structures. She also has a passion to raise STEM awareness in rural schools. CJ JURGENS | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
CJ is from Bennet, NE and is studying computer science and cybersecurity. Her leadership experience includes mentoring new interns at Mutual of Omaha. In this role, she assists with on-boarding new interns by teaching them company applications. Her internship experience includes working at Mutual of Omaha as a year-round I/S intern. In this role, she has been working on standing up a new application for the Disability Income Project. This application has included several projects that require her to use the Quote tool, Eapp, and the Producer Dashboard. She uses a variety of languages/tools, such as Java, Javascript, Vuejs, Mulesoft, Gradle, Groovy, and AWS. Her career interests include software development, eventually earning a leadership or management role in the I/S department.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
61
JONAH LETAK | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jonah is from Omaha, NE and is studying electrical engineering. His faculty mentor is Dr. Lim Nguyen. His leadership experience includes serving as the co-founder and treasurer for the Sci-Fi Club, where he allocates expenses for various activities and club supplies. His internship experience includes working as a student engineer at the Army Corps. of Engineers for the past two summers. There, he assists the other designers in his group with electrical work. Recently, he has been designing lighting plans for government buildings. His career interests are electronics and hardware design for items such as smartwatches. He is also interested in technological development within the government, such as the FBI or NASA. JUSTINE LINSCOTT | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Justine is from Lincoln, NE and is studying computer engineering, business, and mathematics. Her leadership experience includes being a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for two years. She is also a member of the UNO women’s tennis team. Her internship experience includes participating in the Scott Scholars Summer AppJam internship. In this role, she worked with fellow scholars for eight weeks to develop proficiency in mobile application development using Apple’s Swift programming language. The team developed a mobile application for the Healing Arts Program at UNMC Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Institute. In the summer of 2020, she worked at Fiserv as an IT intern, where she worked with two other Scott Scholars to design a project slotting tool for the company. Her career interests include working as an actuarial scientist in a well-known insurance company, which will utilize computer programming and mathematics to calculate risk. TERA MAHER | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Tera is from Omaha, NE and is studying IT Innovation. Her internship experience includes working at Union Pacific as a software development intern, where she debugged and coded financial systems in Java. She was also an online intern for the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). In this role, she was paired with a partner and developed a program for the Air Mobility Command in Xcode. Her career interest includes working in a career that mixes her interests in software development and environmental geology.
CHAZ MASCHMAN | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Chaz is from Lincoln, NE and is studying computer engineering and mathematics. His internship experience includes working at Physicians Mutual, where he creates Node apps, deploys to docker swarms, and develops programs using Go and .NET framework. His career interests include continuing his education and conducting research.
SHANNON MCKINLEY | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Shannon is from Plattsmouth, NE and is studying biology. Her leadership experience includes participating in several clubs, including the Geoscience Society and Sustain UNO, where she helps with organizing and participating in awareness events. Her research experience includes working with Dr. Ashlee Dere to test restored prairie and do soil and dust testing. She is currently responsible for collecting and testing soil samples from multiple sites. Her career interests include environmental sciences research or education.
62 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
EMILY NASTASE | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Emily is from Omaha, NE and is studying economics. Her leadership experience includes volunteering as a student consultant for No More Empty Pots, a nonprofit organization in north Omaha dedicated to eradicating food deserts across the city. She was also a member of the Chi Omega sorority and served as the community engagement officer, where she organized fundraisers for the Make-a-Wish foundation. Her internship experience includes working in the fiber optics division at Union Pacific Railroad. In this role, she collaborates with teams of engineers, computer scientists, and business people to provide signal and transport data across the country. Her career interests include business management, marketing, and finance. TYLER PESTER | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Tyler is from Cortland, NE and is studying civil engineering and mathematics. His leadership experience includes serving as vice president and secretary of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. He is also the current treasurer of the UNO Rugby Club. His internship experience includes working at Hensel Phelps, where he worked in the estimating department for their Pacific District. In doing so, he carried the responsibility of performing quantity takeoffs and calculating self-bid estimates for future project inquiries. Also, he was responsible for coordinating with subcontractors by informing them of upcoming bids, receiving their bid proposals, and confirming that their prices encapsulated the entire scope of work. His career interests include geotechnical and structural areas of civil engineering. He plans to obtain his professional engineer license after graduation. KAMRYN PULLEN | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Kamryn is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science and mathematics. Her leadership experience includes serving as the co-enrichment director for the Collegiate Panhellenic Council. In this position, she organized events to increase awareness of stereotypes and gender bias. She’s had the opportunity to serve as a class representative for the Scott Scholars Leadership Council. In this role, she helped plan and facilitate the first incoming Scott Scholar Welcome Brunch through Zoom. She was also on a committee charged with reaching out and educating high schoolers across the state of Nebraska about the Scott Scholars Program. Her internship experience includes working with BHMI as a software developer. In that role, Kamryn developed automated test tools for database content comparison. Over the summer, Kamryn also worked as an intern with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Deepak Khazanchi in his IS&T Lab. Kamryn worked as a back-end developer. In that role, she worked in a team to create a web-based, multi-language forum for Omaha’s migrant worker population. Also, she has worked on a team that developed an online game to teach kids aged 8-18 about viruses. Her career interests include law, with a focus on human rights or environmental practice. ANDREW RUDER | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Andrew is from Lincoln, NE and is studying civil engineering and mathematics. His leadership experience includes being a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers Omaha student chapter and the Concrete Canoe team. His internship experience includes working as both a construction intern and a civil engineering intern at WSP’s Lincoln, NE location. As a construction intern, he measured and recorded quantities, kept an inspector’s daily report, and ensured work completion per plan and spec on pavement and water main projects for the City of Lincoln. As a civil engineering intern, he has worked on the design and analysis of a new pre-tensioned concrete girder bridge and plan preparations for multiple highway restoration projects. His research experience includes working as an undergraduate research assistant in the Materials Lab at UNO with Dr. Hu, where he assisted graduate researchers with their projects. His duties included mixing, specimen preparation, and testing of ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC), cellular concrete, and biochar concrete. His career interests include structural engineering, specifically, the design, project management, and construction management of bridges or buildings.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
63
MAKAYLA SEDLACEK | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Makayla is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science and cybersecurity. Her leadership experience includes working with a group of students who partnered with the Omaha Street School, a local non-profit dedicated to providing educational opportunities to troubled youth. She established a relationship with the faculty and the students to assess and address their needs. The group developed a project idea that will increase donations to the organization, which they plan on making a reality over the next few years. She has also served as an ROTC Flight Cadet in the 470th Cadet Wing. Her internship experience includes working with Kiewit Technology Group, where she is responsible for investigating phishing emails and security alerts, as well as supporting the Governance, Risk, and Compliance team. She also developed a contract review process for her team and updated company technology standards. Her career interests include cyberterrorism and digital forensics. LILIA SELENKE | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Lilia is from Centennial, CO and is studying computer science, cybersecurity, Spanish, and management information systems. Her leadership experience includes serving as a consultant for the non-profit Open Door Mission, where she develops improvement projects by meeting with participants, volunteers, and employees. She has submitted an improvement project proposal utilizing Flask from Python, HTML, CSS, SQLite, and JavaScript. She is a part of the 2020 class of the Clinton Global Initiative University. As a participant, she completed various modules about skills, leadership, and more to develop and design a commitment to action project focused on making an impact by reducing regional homelessness. Lilia was also an attendee at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, CO, and the Aspen Cyber Summit in New York, where she connected with business professionals and industry experts. Her internship experience includes working with the National Strategic Research Institute, where she worked as a project lead using Agile methodologies to research analysis tools and modeling software to develop a proof-of-concept. In this role, she developed and presented a CubeSat orbit using Cesium and satellite.js to determine how to view Nebraska twice a day from space. In her current internship with the Scott Scholars Design Studio, she works as a team lead using the Stanford Design Thinking process to tackle the issue of housing insecurity. In this role, she organizes and conducts meetings with a group of Scott Scholars to develop a project and presentation. Her career interests include scrum master, project management, and leadership positions in fields like software development, social engineering, and penetration testing. GWYNETH SEMANISIN | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Gwyneth is from Omaha, NE and is studying electrical engineering. Her leadership experience includes serving on the Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha since her freshman year, holding positions on the board of Freshmen Engineering Student Council at Omaha as a member, chair, and vice president of membership. She also participates in the student chapter of the Institute of Electic and Electronics Engineers at UNO, previously acting as a freshman ambassador and external relations officer. This year, she will serve as lead relations officer and treasurer. In these roles, Gwyn has planned events for the College of Engineering, reached out to peers and faculty to understand their needs, and bridged the gap between the two groups. She has also contacted many organizations and companies to organizes speaking opportunities for her fellow peers. Her internship experience includes participating in the Scott Scholars AppJam Program in the summer of 2019, where her team developed an IOS app using Apple’s Swift coding language. They collaborated with the UNMC Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Institute to create an app to aid the Healing Arts Program, as well as another app to support the Maverick Food Pantry. Through their work on these apps, Gwyn and her team were invited to speak at Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, CA, and tour the design lab. This last summer, she was an intern at The Lindsay Corporation in Omaha, NE, on the Irrigation Controls team. In her role, she was responsible for updating bill of materials, working with engineers to create new parts for their irrigation panels, and researching components and methods to improve product functionality and efficiency. Her work served to support various innovative technologies that gave farmers around the globe reliable ways to ensure plentiful crop production for their communities. Her career interests include electrical engineering, with a focus on hardware design and aerospace technology.
64 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
GRAYSON STANTON | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Grayson is from Papillion,NE and is studying computer engineering and mathematics. His leadership experience includes working with a team of students, Apple engineers, and UNMC physicians to develop a 1-Check COVID-19 screening app. His internship experience includes working as a Scott Scholars Design Studio manager, where he is responsible for maintaining apps such as the 1-Check COVID, UNMC’s Healing Arts Program, and UNO’s Maverick food pantry. He also participated in the development of a programming curriculum to instruct those who were learning Swift. His career interests include software engineering, with a focus on mobile app development.
GRANT SWENSON | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Grant is from Springfield, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His internship experience includes working as a CAD technician at SGH Concepts. In that role, he was creating an installation index for contractors, shop drawings, take-offs, and other rush work when needed. His career interests include electrical and mechanical engineering.
ANNA SWOBODA | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Anna is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. Her leadership experience includes being a member of the Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha for two years serving on the freshman committee and student affairs committee. She helps organize events, lectures, fundraisers, and more for the College of Engineering students, staff, and faculty. Her internship experience includes working as a field intern at Kiewit for the Arlington Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project in summer 2020. She was an electrical intern for the Electric Company of Omaha (ECO) working on the Children’s Hospital Hubbard Center expansion in summer 2019. Her career interest includes architectural engineering, with a focus on mechanical and acoustical design. NATHAN TAYLOR | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Nathan is from Nickerson, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes serving as treasurer for UNO’s American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers organization, being a member of Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, and volunteering at the Open Door Mission. His internship experience includes working at Kiewit. While he was unable to be on a job site due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was still able to gain valuable information on the field of architectural engineering. He has also had an internship experience at Ayars & Ayars, where he gained knowledge on construction basics such as takeoffs, estimating, and project management functions. His career interests include mechanical engineering, with a focus on design. He is also interested in renewable energy resources, as well as net-zero buildings. MAKAYLA THOMPSON | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Makayla is from Pella, IA and is studying architectural engineering. Her leadership experience includes serving as secretary of the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee and as a member of the Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha. She is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the nation’s oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines. Makayla has had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy to learn about the history of architecture and its engineering applications. She has also been active in her church and community and has worked over 400 volunteer hours. Her career interests include engineering, specifically innovative, integrated lighting design.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
65
LAVANYA UPPALA | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Lavanya is from Omaha, NE and is studying bioinformatics, biology, and computer science. Her leadership experience includes serving as a representative and president of the Honors Student Association at UNO. In this role, she works with faculty to plan and execute events that promote a sense of community in the honors program. She has also volunteered at campus events that showcase the importance of sustainable practices. Her internship experience includes volunteering at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to gain insight into the medical field. In this role, she trained volunteers, ensured patient comfort, and completed general administrative tasks for doctors and nurses. Lavanya also works with the Open Door Mission to design and implement a website that will better connect clients to resources. She previously worked as a research assistant in the Computer Science Lab at UNO, where she trained artificial intelligence to detect digital information such as terrorist images on websites or Tweets related to cancer. Her research experience includes working in the Bioinformatics Lab at the UNO, under the guidance of Dr. Kathryn Cooper. She is currently working on using bioinformatics algorithms to analyze frameshift mutations of critical nucleotides in different viruses, which are then used to identify genomic sources of pathogenicity in different strains of the virus. She has received the FUSE grant and an INBRE fellowship to garner further research experience. Lavanya’s career interests include bioinformatics, with a focus on bioengineering, pathology, infectious diseases, public health, and analysis of big data sets. Her future goal is to earn a graduate degree in the biomedical field. JOSEPH WRIGHT | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Joseph is from Beatrice, NE and is studying computer science and computer engineering. His internship experience includes working at Northrop Grumman as a software developer. In this role, he moved repositories to the cloud, worked within an Agile Kanban team, and completed various tasks related to product sustainment. His career interests include working with embedded systems and R&D.
ZACH WULLENWABER | JUNIOR | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Zach is from Bennington, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes participating in The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, where he worked on a team project for an upcoming competition. His internship experience includes working at Kiewit as a field/office engineer intern. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this internship was hosted online and provided him with a learning opportunity on the process of acquiring and building construction projects. His career interests include the mechanical side of architectural engineering, specifically designing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems for large buildings and stadiums. CARLY CAMERON | JUNIOR | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Carly is from Elkhorn, NE and is studying computer science. Her leadership experience includes participating in the AppJam program, which is a partnership between the UNO Scott Scholars program and Apple to help students develop skills for mobile application development. Her internship experience includes AppJam, where she developed skills for mobile application development. In this role, she was responsible for developing apps for the UNMC Healing Arts Program and the UNO Maverick Food Pantry. She has also worked as a software developer for Tenaska. In that role, she worked on different applications, within their trading network to add and update various features. Her career interests include app development and software development.
66 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
KATIE ANDERSEN | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Katie is from Omaha, NE and is studying biomechanics, pre-med, and business. Her leadership experience includes being a member of a sorority and serving as the Career and Personal Development chair. In this role, she organizes events that allow women to explore their career paths. She also coordinates mental health-related activities, with a focus on teaching students how to deal with the stress of college and career. Her internship experience includes working as an undergraduate researcher at the Biomechanics Research Building at UNO. There, she assists graduate students capture and process data and manages the research participants. The research includes stroke rehabilitation, where she helps process motion capture gait data and analyzes ground reaction forces for both the paretic and healthy sides of the body. She also analyzes baseball pitchers, examining how inconsistent throwing form can lead to injury, specifically ulnar collateral ligament tears, also known as a Tommy John injury. Her career interest includes being a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, as well as a sports biomechanics researcher for Nike. LUKE ANDREASEN | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Luke is from Omaha, NE and is studying bioinformatics, biology, chemistry, and business. His leadership experience includes being the treasurer of the Pre-Dental Club at UNO, where he tracks the finances and promotes events. He also serves on the Scott Scholars Leadership Council, where he provides input and assists with scholarship initiatives, candidate recruitment, and scholar selection. Luke is also a leader at Bethany Lutheran Church, where he teaches Sunday School and attends mission trips. His internship experience includes working at Pacific Spring Dental, where he screens for COVID-19, schedules appointments, sterilizes instruments, and communicates with patients. Working with Dr. Beals, Dr. Franco, and Dr. Chesire has allowed him to learn about emergency dentistry, special needs dentistry, dental implants, and cosmetic dentistry. His career interests include dentistry, healthcare, and business. Luke hopes to attend dental school and is interested in opening his general practice, specifically in periodontics. KELLY ARNOLD | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Kelly is from Gretna, NE and is studying architectural engineering. Her leadership experience includes participating as the recruitment and activities chair for the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. In this role, she organized activities to engage professional members and fellow college students. She also participated in the MCA Leadership Academy, where she raised money for Heats On Omaha and performed service calls. She would visit the homes of underprivileged and elderly residents and assist in checking the heating systems, filters, and smoke detectors in their homes. Her internship experience includes working as a project management intern at The Waldinger Corporation in Omaha. In this role, she worked to coordinate submittals, schedules, and purchasing with vendors, as well as estimation. She was able to gain experience on the job site and see projects from beginning to end. Her career interests include the mechanical specialty of architectural engineering, specifically HVAC systems within healthcare and mission-critical. JOSEPH BARKLEY | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Joseph is from Papillion, NE and is studying computer science and German. His leadership experience includes being a senior patrol leader, where he led multiple service projects for the troop and organized several camp outs. His career interests include developing software to help bring the world into an age where software can be a viable alternative to things previously only done in person.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
67
KEEGAN BROWN | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Keegan is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science. His leadership experience includes participating in the summer 2020 Design Studio Internship program. Working with a team, he developed a Swift programming curriculum to instruct those who were learning mobile app development. His internship experience includes working at Kiewit on the SAP team. In this role, he was responsible for understanding the ABAP programming language, the various business systems in SAP, and assisting in developing technical solutions within the SAP software. His research experience includes working with UNO, UNMC, and other students, where he participated in the development of the 1-Check COVID mobile application. This app was designed to serve the community as a preliminary screening tool for COVID-19. Based on a series of survey questions, the app gives a recommendation based on UNMC approved logic. The goal is to keep healthy people away from emergency rooms and hospitals at a time when they are busy with those who are sick. His career interests include creating meaningful technology solutions. He wants to leverage technology in ways that positively impact daily life. CRISPIN CORPUZ | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Crispin is from Lincoln, NE and is study electrical engineering, mathematics, and computer science. His leadership experience includes being a project lead for the Scott Scholar Design Studio, the project secretary in a community action project with the non-profit Smart GEN Society, and an active member of numerous student councils across the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Through these experiences, he gained experience in both managing teams and being a supportive team member, improving his time management and event planning skills, as well as better leveraging his listening and communication skills. His internship experience includes interning for the Scott Scholars Design Studio as a project lead, where he developed proficiency in mobile application development using Apple’s Swift programming language and improved his leadership, organization, and communication skills. This knowledge led to the development of a platform connecting students, faculty, and organizations that augments experiential learning for students, and additionally benefits faculty and organizations. Concurrently, he worked at STEMBoT, Inc. as an Application Engineer. His career interests include radiofrequency, communications engineering, bioelectronics, signal processing, and mathematical modeling. RICHARD CSORDAS | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Richard is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science and biology. His leadership experience includes serving as a mentor in the UNO ECE Leaf Blower Airplane competition under the instruction of Dr. Travis Vanderheyden. He assisted in selecting standard parts for the competition organizers such as servos, remotes, and the leaf blower itself. He also provided design and construction guidance to the team he was mentoring by advising layout, material selection, airfoil profiles, and control surface placement. His internship experience includes working in the UNO Biomechanics Prototyping Lab, where he worked on designing and building equipment and prototypes for a range of research projects both for the University and for external clients. This required extensive use of CAD and CAM software to create and manufacture various designs. During this internship, he practiced designing for and using a range of construction methods, including 3D printing, CNC machining, plastics casting, TIG welding, etc. His career interests include medicine and related technologies. He aims to become a physician that can work with patients and use that experience to drive the development of novel medical devices and technologies. TOLUWA DAVIES | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Toluwa is from Omaha, NE and is studying biomechanics. His leadership experience includes leading the tech booth at his church as a producer. In this role, he is responsible for running the sound system for services and ensuring other stations are staying on track and hitting cues. This job is crucial in a smooth-running service and requires adaptability and quick thinking. His internship experience includes participating in the Scott Scholars Design Studio internship as a project manager, where he was responsible for redesigning the Scott Scholars program using Stanford’s Design Thinking. In this role, he facilitated meetings, assigned responsibilities, and led his team through the design thinking process. His research experience includes working in the Biomechanics Research Lab, where he measures and analyzes gait cycles in a variety of patients. His career interests include biomechanics, especially prosthesis and physical therapy, as well as medicine and computer science.
68 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
ANNA DIEDERICH | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Anna is from Lincoln, NE and is studying architectural engineering. Her leadership experience includes serving as the Dance Marathon chair for the Gamma Delta chapter of Alpha Xi Delta. In this position, she organized her chapter’s funds for Dance Marathon and coordinated multiple events with her organization’s miracle child. She also served as a member of the Scott Scholars Leadership Council, where she worked to advance and improve the Scott Scholars program with a focus on whole-person development. Her internship experience includes serving as a project lead intern with the Design Studio Internship Program this summer. In that role, she and her team utilized design thinking to reform and redesign the Scott Scholars program, as well as higher education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. As project lead, she was responsible for leading and planning daily team meetings, as well as delegating and overseeing the multiple stages of design thinking. Her career interests include architectural engineering, with a focus on electrical and lighting design. JILLIAN DLOUHY | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jillian is from Lincoln, NE and is studying architectural engineering. Her leadership experience includes participating in the Nebraska Engineering Student Council of Omaha (NESCO), Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee (AESLAC), and Scott Scholar Leadership Council (SSLC). Through these organizations, she works to improve the academic and environmental excellence of the engineering and general STEM communities. Additionally, Jillian serves with the AIM Institute following the mission to grow, connect, and inspire the tech talent community through educational and career development initiatives. Her internship experience includes serving as the project lead on the Housing Insecurity team for the Scott Scholar Design Studio Internship Program. In this role, Jillian was responsible for organizing daily agendas, leading meetings, and completing the Stanford Design Process to combat housing insecurity in the Nebraska area. Her career interests include architectural engineering, with an emphasis on structural design. She aspires to work at a regional firm and positively impact the local community. NOUR ELROKHSI | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Nour is from Omaha, NE and is studying neuroscience, chemistry, and human rights. She serves on the board of the International Student Services division of UNO’s student government, where she works to provide UNO’s 1,600 international students with a safe, positive, inclusive, and unforgettable college experience. For the 2019-2020 academic year she served as head of advertisement, promoting the various ISS events. ISS plans for the inclusion and celebration of UNO’s international community. She also served as the MC for UNO’s 48th Annual International Banquet. She plans to continue to serve as an ISS board member for the remainder of her college career, taking on various leadership roles within the organization. Her research experience includes working in Dr. Ryan Wong’s lab as a research assistant, where she studies the neural and molecular mechanisms that help facilitate how animals cope with stress. The lab integrates topics of animal behavior, neurogenomics, neural networks, and the neuroendocrine system to answer various research questions. She hopes to eventually contribute to the several publications made by Dr. Wong’s lab during her undergraduate experience. Her career interests include integrating her passion for helping others and her interest in science to become a physician, with an emphasis on pediatrics specialties. A career in human rights activism and law is also on her radar. HAYDEN ERNST | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Hayden is from Elmwood, NE and is studying computer engineering. His leadership experience includes working with the Smartgen Society (SGS) in the Scott Scholars civic projects program. Hayden and his team used Design Thinking to create a solution to the SGS problem of collecting and displaying data on SGS’s community impact. His internship experience includes working at BHMI as a Java developer and quality assurance tester. He was responsible for delivering a code that tests software products for bugs or errors. Through this, he became proficient in Eclipse IDE as well as the test platform TestNG. He was also responsible for manual software testing. His career interests include computer engineering, with a focus on embedded systems, robotics and high-performance computing.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
69
DILLON FALKINBURG | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Dillon is from Bennington, NE and is studying computer engineering. His leadership experience includes participating in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps, where he worked with Civic Nebraska to develop a plan to engage students and encourage them to participate in afterschool programs. Dillon assisted in running a JROTC drill competition. His internship experience includes working at Kiewit as a SAP developer, where he used the ABAP programming language to fix bugs in the company’s applications. His career interests include military technology, specifically for the United States Air Force. He is also interested in sharing his engineering knowledge with young students to improve STEM education in schools. ZANDER GIBNEY | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Zander is from Morse Bluff, NE and is studying IT Innovation and theater. His leadership experience includes serving as the communications liaison on a team tasked with addressing challenges within a local nonprofit organization. The team was able to develop and present their ideas to the nonprofit and classmates. His internship experience includes working as a software development specialist at Union Pacific. In this role, he improved his programming prowess in languages such as Java, AngularJS, and PL/SQL. He also completed various small projects and worked with the Railcar Maintenance Data Management team. His career interests include interactive arts, such as video games and their unique methods of storytelling, as well as more traditional forms of art. He hopes to discover how to utilize technology in a fun and exciting new way. APRIL GUERIN | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
April is from Papillion, NE and is studying computer engineering and computer science. Her leadership experience includes serving as a soccer referee for the Nebraska Soccer League and Eastern Nebraska Soccer Association. She managed players, coaches, and parents, as well as mentored other referees. Her internship experience includes working at the Department of Defense as a software developer. In this role, she helped develop a database which can create, manage, and update flexible workflows. She has also interned at TD Ameritrade, where she worked as a software developer. In this role, she helped the securities lending team develop software in order to improve the experience and efficiency of the clients and other TD Ameritrade employees. Her research experience includes working with the AIM Project, JACKSON HANUS | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jackson is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes working as a Scott Scholar’s team with Prairie STEM, a local nonprofit, to create an app that connects students, teachers, and parents to build a greater sense of community in schools. He helped interview key members that defined the problems occurring at Prairie STEM, using Stanford Design Thinking, to create a solution, and presented it to the Board of Prairie STEM. He interned during the summer of 2020 with Ronco Construction, where he worked with many facets of the company including plan development, communicating with and assisting carpenters in the field, and writing addenda and change orders. He used Procore and Bluebeam extensively, surveyed points and elevations for utilities, and estimated the costs of future builds. His career interests include architectural engineering, with a structural emphasis. He enjoys design and especially the aspect of designing and assuring high performing and high functioning buildings.
70 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
JACKSON HASELHORST | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Jackson is from Papillion, NE and is studying mathematics and computer science. His faculty mentor is Dr. Griff Elder. His leadership experience includes serving on the Scott Scholars Leadership Council, where he worked to discover and analyze areas of improvement within the program. He helped plan and execute a virtual event for incoming Scott Scholars in response to changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. His internship experience includes working at the National Strategic Research Institute, on an interdisciplinary team focused on innovating the organization’s newest wargame. In this role, he had to quickly learn and integrate complex political and military topics into tangible game improvements. The unique circumstances required meeting rigorous deadlines and collaborating remotely, culminating in a virtual presentation to STRATCOM senior leadership. His career interests include pursuing his interest in the problem-solving aspect of pure mathematics and the applicable nature of programming. He hopes to find a career that will allow him to combine both of these passions. ELIZABETH HOWARD | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION
Elizabeth is from Omaha, NE and is studying economics, accounting, and Spanish. Her leadership experience includes serving over the summer at the St. Vincent de Paul’s Pantry Garden, where she helped maintain the garden by keeping it watered and weeded. Her internship experience includes working at the Archdiocese of Omaha Chancery as an auditor of church records. In this role, she was responsible for finding errors and communicating them to bookkeepers, working an in-house audit, and collecting data for the Archdiocese’s deposit and loan. Her research experience includes completing a project for her complexity class using Netlogo, where she programmed a simulation of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. Her career interest includes passing the CPA exam and working at a nonprofit. JAKE KUMKE | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jake is from Lincoln, NE, and is studying construction management and business. His leadership experience includes serving as an aid for Prairie STEM, which is an education-based non-profit that provides students from low-income families with the opportunity to explore STEM careers. He was responsible for finding ways to improve learning methods by conducting empathy probes. Currently, his team is developing an app that will assist these students in retaining information. His internship experience includes serving as a factotum for Arrow Capital. He was responsible for installing new electrical features, framing walls, and performing plumbing repairs. His career interests include commercial construction, as well as customer relations. KATRINA MEIER | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Katrina is from Pierce, NE and is studying civil engineering. Her leadership experience includes serving as the treasurer for UNO’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. As an officer, she manages finances, record keeping, receipts, and refunds for the organization. Her internship experience includes working as a field engineering intern at Kiewit. Due to COVID-19, she learned through live virtual content, how to manage assets, build work, get work, and design engineering. She was also a team leader on an intern project that worked to question the status quo and produce solutions to improve diversity and inclusion in construction and engineering. Her career interests include civil engineering, with an emphasis on structural design and maintenance. LUCAS MILLER | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Lucas is from Columbus, NE and is studying computer engineering. His leadership experience includes working with Civic Nebraska to implement new ways for students and teachers to communicate in local schools. His career interests include computer engineering, particularly prosthetic design and neuroscience.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
71
LUKE PARTUSCH | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Luke is from Springfield, NE and is studying biomechanics and computer science. His faculty mentor is Dr. Brian Knarr. His leadership experience includes serving as a chaplain for the Pi Kappa Alpha - Delta Chi Chapter at UNO. As a chaplain, he has organized bible studies for the chapter and encouraged members of the fraternity to grow in their faith. His internship experience includes working at the Biomechanics Research Lab as a member of Dr. Brian Knarr’s research team, which focuses on gait rehabilitation and injury prevention. In that role, he was responsible for processing data and participating in various research studies. His research experience includes working with the UNO Biomechanics Lab to analyze baseball pitchers’ throwing motions, and provide them with biomechanical feedback to help them improve performance and prevent injury. His career interests include sports biomechanics, specifically physical therapy, athletic training, and sports biomechanics research. JOHN POHLSON | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION
John is from Hastings, NE and is studying economics and mathematics. His leadership experience includes being a member of the UNO Dance Marathon, where he serves as a director on the finance committee. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he has served as spring 2020 pledge class president, the Pike Spike chair, and the alumni relations chair. His career interests include researching financial markets, specifically the United States economy, federal spending, and national debt.
WILL RANDBY | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Will is from Omaha, NE and is studying electrical engineering. His faculty mentor is Dr. Jorge Zuniga. His leadership experience includes serving as the project manager for several organizations over the past summer, developing robot frames, and researching for the biomechanics department. His internship experience includes working at Stembot Inc as a designer for the educational robotics company, developing new technology to bring to market to increase robot functionality. He also works as a student intern for the Biomechanics Lab as a research assistant for the hybrid prosthetic arm project. His research experience includes developing better hybrid prosthetic devices using 3D modeling and printing. He has recently applied for the NASA Space Grant to continue to fund this research project. His career interests include robotics development, computer hardware engineering, and electronics development. ETHAN REINSCH | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Ethan is from Geneva, NE and is studying management information systems. His internship experience includes working at Union Pacific as a telecommunications intern, where he was responsible for the configuration and deployment of telecommunication devices across the country. He was promoted in this position and is responsible for training new interns and providing them with resources to support their goals. His career interests include information technology systems management, with a focus on small business platforms, and investment technology.
JONAH REISER | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jonah is from Waverly, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes serving as a student consultant for Civic Nebraska, where he collaborates with a team to find solutions for issues within their after school programs and presents findings to the head of the organization’s education department. His career interest includes architectural engineering, with an emphasis on working with new and innovative technologies.
72 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
NATHAN RENARD | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Nathan is from Lincoln, NE and is studying computer science. His leadership experience includes serving as a consultant for Civic Nebraska, where he worked with local schools to implement a new way for students and teachers to communicate. His internship experience includes working at Fiserv, where he was responsible for designing and developing a project slotting tool. His career interests include software development.
HEATHER RICHARD | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Heather is from Papillion, NE, and is studying biology, chemistry, and medical humanities. Her leadership experience includes volunteering for Nebraska Medicine in the pediatric unit as a child life volunteer. Her duties include assisting the child life staff with events in the hospital, spending time with the children, aiding patient families with hospital acclimation, and keeping the pediatric play area accessible. She volunteers as a coach for the Better Together Basketball Program, a youth program funded by the nonprofit, Abide. This local organization works to revitalize the inner city of Omaha through strengthening community and neighborhood connections and relationships. She is also a member of the UNO Honors Program. Her research experience includes studying the use of microRNAs in neuroblastoma at the UNMC Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. She has now expanded her research experience by writing a chapter for a book to be published in collaboration with her faculty mentor, Dr. Kishore Challagundla, and other researchers. The chapter covers the role of exosomes as players of therapy resistance in neuroblastoma. Her career interests include working in the field of medicine as a physician, specializing in pediatric oncology and hematology, as well as continuing to learn through both the clinical and research aspects of medicine. CLAYTON RILEY | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Clayton is from Eagle, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes serving as a parliamentarian for SkillsUSA. In this role, he worked with his team to plan and coordinate impactful STEM events. His internship experience includes participating in the Scott Scholars Design Internship Program, where he worked with a team to develop a solution for students to help them have better experiential learning experiences. His career interests include structural engineering, with a focus on creating sustainable buildings to reduce environmental impact.
ANDREW SHELLBERG | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Andrew is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science and cybersecurity. His leadership experience includes earning the opportunity to attend the 2019 Aspen Cyber Summit, where he networked and shared ideas with industry leaders. His internship experience includes working at Union Pacific as a software developer. In this role, he was responsible for developing internal applications, which included various websites for administrators, as well as adding key functionalities that served business needs. His career interests include software development, specifically building CRUD applications and REST API’s.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
73
TREVOR THOMAS | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Trevor is from Bellevue, NE and is studying electrical engineering and computer science. His leadership experiences include section leader roles for several music ensembles. Most notably, he oversaw more than 20 students as a saxophone section leader, where he led drills and provided instruction to his peers. His internship experience includes working at Lockheed Martin where he developed a plugin that enforced cybersecurity guidelines across all of the Global Strike Product Support (GSPS) pipelines. His career interests include space technology, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering.
MICHAEL WALSH | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Michael is from Roca, NE and is studying civil engineering and environmental science. His leadership experience includes working with a local nonprofit, the AIM Institute. He and his team developed an innovative marketing campaign to help the AIM Institute fill a much-needed gap in resources. His internship experience includes working at Kiewit Construction and Olsson. At Olsson, he was a bridge/road structural intern where he assisted the structural engineer in developing project deliverables and market research. In his time at Kiewit Construction, Michael worked as a field/office engineering intern in which he was tasked with learning the basics of the construction industry and aid in a large concrete culvert project. His career interests include the civil engineering field, with an emphasis on adapting future infrastructure projects to be highly environmentally conscious. ETHAN WARRICK | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Ethan is from Plattsmouth, NE and is studying computer engineering. His leadership experience includes being a member of the AIM Institute’s community impact team. In this role, he utilized Stanford’s Design Thinking method to aid in advertising AIM’s brand, including the development of a video marketing campaign. His internship experience includes working as an IT intern at Kiewit. In this role, he worked with various network technologies to connect remote job sites to Kiewit’s network and the internet. His career interests include electrical circuit design and software development.
ELL WATERS | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Ell is from Omaha, NE and is studying IT Innovation and studio art. Their leadership experience includes working as an assistant to moderate several online art communities. Their career interests include combining technology with visual arts, drawing, animation, music, and storytelling.
JOSHUA WELLING | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Josh is from Bellevue, NE and is studying computer engineering and physics. His leadership experience includes serving as a student consultant for Civic Nebraska. In this role, he led a design thinking process to produce viable solutions and moderated group discussions. His research experience includes working on a project in a physics lab with his faculty mentor, Dr. Ryan Riskowski. This research involves producing and testing samples of nanoparticles in an MRI to fit models to their T1 and T2 relaxation rates. His career interests include computer hardware, ranging from the details of their construction to the multitude of options for their application.
74 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
JORDAN WEST | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jordan is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes mentoring the Millard North High School’s SkillsUSA and robotics programs, where he taught them to effectively document solutions in engineering workbooks. His internship experience includes work at Kiewit as an office/field engineering intern. Due to COVID-19, Kiewit developed a virtual work experience to teach interns the company’s culture and provide information on training and certifications. He was assigned to a small group to develop a presentation over the history of innovations in the construction industry. His career interests include working for a construction engineering firm. JACOB MAGUIRE | SOPHOMORE | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jacob is from La Vista, NE and is studying computer engineering. His leadership experience includes serving as the project manager of a successful SkillsUSA engineering competition team, where he led his team to win state and place top 10 in the nation. His internship experience includes working to further develop the Arc Printer, a revolutionary and cost-saving design for a 3D printer. He was responsible for designing several mechanical components, budgeting, scheduling, sourcing part suppliers, and programming the firmware that runs the machine. His career interest includes developing other concept designs with his team, such as GYBLI, a portable, compact laser engraver. He would like to focus in the field of 3D printing and the firmware that powers those machines to help conventional 3D printers achieve non-conventional prints. SAMIR ALI | SOPHOMORE | UNO | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Sam is from Omaha, NE and is studying biomechanics and bioinformatics. His leadership experience includes being captain of his high school’s cross country team, where he led workouts and warmups. His internship experience includes working in the Mobility and Health Lab at UNO. In this role, he used machine learning and motion sensors to predict which types of surfaces a subject was walking on. His research experience includes working with Dr. Zuniga in the Biomechanics Lab, where he refabricated a bimanual congenital coordination tray. This device is used on children with upper limb congenital deficiencies to measure their progress with prosthetics. Sam also assisted in developing a 3D model for an early prototype spacer inhaler. This breathing aid prevents air particles from being released while the instrument is in use. His career interests include preventative health and genetics. MORGAN BAKER | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Morgan is from Hastings, NE and is studying mathematics, chemistry, and Spanish. She served as school board liaison for the Student Council, reporter, and secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America. In these roles, she planned meetings, completed community service projects, and participated in chapter competitions. She served as captain of the swim and dance teams, where she led teams to multiple state-level victories. She interned with Dr. Pradiptha Chaudhuri at Mary Lanning Cardiology. In this role, she studied the different access sites to cardiac catherterization. She has also researched pharmaceutical waste and presented her findings at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Her career focus is medicine with a specialty in obstetrics. TRISTAN BERTSCH | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Tristan is from Papillion, NE and is studying architectural engineering. His leadership experience includes being a member of the varsity soccer team and a member of the National Honor Society. In these roles, he organized community wellness events, such as food drives and fundraisers. His career interests include architectural engineering, where he hopes to focus on large-scale structures. HAILEY BIXLER | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Hailey is from Neligh, NE and is studying computer science. She served as Nebraska Vice President for Programs for the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), where she was responsible for running conferences, writing articles, and hosting workshops. Through the FCCLA, she has competed nationally with projects such as creating a website for her chapter, and teaching elementary kids how to write letters. These endeavors have led to Hailey being named the national champion twice and national runnerup once. Hailey has also been a regular volunteer with youth programs at her local library and church. Her career interests include using artificial intelligence. She hopes to apply computer science to fields such as mental health, agriculture, and healthcare.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
75
BENJAMIN BUGENHAGEN | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Benjamin is from Norfolk, NE and is studying architectural engineering. He was the representative for the Norfolk Catholic High School’s house system. In this role, he collaborated with the other houses to design projects and events to promote building relationships and wellness within the student body. He is a member of the National Honor Society, where he organized community events and spoke to audiences about the importance of outreach and social connections within local communities. His career interests include architectural engineering, with a focus on acoustics and enhancing the quality of sound in the next generation of acoustically sensitive environments. He hopes to design structures with specific auditory and acoustic requirements in Nebraska. EVAN CLEMENT | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Evan is from Elkhorn, NE and is studying biology, Spanish, and chemistry. He served as band section leader where he set-up and organized rehearsals, ran sectionals and prepared for competitions. He was also a member of the Memories for Kids board, a group of students from around Omaha that organized and planned fundraisers. His career interests include infectious diseases and virology. He hopes to one day work at a hospital and to research disease mitigation and therapies. JOSHUA DAVIES | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Joshua is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science. He was a member of the National Honor Society. His career interests include cybersecurity in the public and private sectors. LOGAN DUNLOP | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Logan is from Omaha, NE and is studying cybersecurity. He was president of the high school orchestra and captain of the varsity soccer team. In these roles, he led practices, organized events, and supported other members. Logan achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. His career interests include cybersecurity, with an emphasis on privacy and information security. OLIVIA EDWARDS | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Olivia is from Omaha, NE and is studying biomechanics. Her faculty advisor is Dr. Griff Watson. She was a member of her high school’s marching band student leadership team, where she was responsible for teaching students and keeping her section organized. She also worked as a peer Latin tutor for first and second-year students. Her career interests include biomechanics, with a focus on prosthetics, and better living through science. KAITLYN FREY | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Kaitlyn is from Dawson, NE and is studying architectural engineering. She was co-chair for Region V System’s Youth Action Board, dedicated to the prevention of risky behaviors among youth. In this role, she hosted events, planned, and facilitated meetings. She also served as president of her National Honor Society chapter. Kaitlyn devotes some of her time to the arts. She has been in theater since she was six years old and has performed in 17 productions. Her career interests include architectural engineering, with a focus on structural systems and lighting designs. REECE FUCHS | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Reece is from Lincoln, NE and is studying architectural engineering, mathematics, and business. He was vice president of the National Honor Society, a board member of his high school’s anti-drug organization, and captain of the basketball team. His career interests include architectural engineering, with an emphasis on innovating the design and construction processes to achieve green and energyefficient buildings. IAN FUELBERTH | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Ian is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science. He was captain of the cross country team, where he helped lead practices and coordinate athletes during meets. He was awarded the Cross Country Outstanding Teammate Award during the 2019-2020 academic year. He also coordinates and leads study sessions to prepare for major exams. His career interests include software development, web, and app development, and game design. He hopes his projects will impact the overall well being of the end-user.
76 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
BEDE FULTON | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Bede is from Lincoln, NE and is studying mathematics. He was one of four players selected by the professional soccer club Villarreal CF. He had the opportunity to represent the U.S. and train overseas in Villarreal, Spain, with other aspiring young athletes. He has also been a returning counselor for youth leadership summer camps run by the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln. In high school, he devoted some of his time to a career in the arts. He was a lead role in the musical during his freshman and junior years, he was the dance captain of his show choir for his junior and senior years, and he was selected to represent Pius in the 2018 NMEA All-State Chorus. His career interests include mathematics, with a focus on computational mathematics. Using this knowledge from this area of study, he intends to find different ways to help families, companies, and nations reduce debt. RYAN GAUGHEN | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Ryan is from Cedar Bluffs, NE and is studying computer engineering. He was treasurer and president of the FFA where he competed in speeches, mock interviews, livestock shows, judging events, and agricultural knowledge. He was an officer in SkillsUSA, where he planned community service projects, competed in mock interviews, and coded a robot to complete an obstacle course. As a member of 4-H, he has served as treasurer, vice president, and president. In these roles, he competed in a variety of competitions that ranged from livestock, speeches, tractor, and ATV training courses. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, NB Club, and was a class officer. His responsibilities included fundraising, maintaining school property, and organizing athletic events. Ryan also attended multiple leadership camps, including the Holland Academy of Excellence, Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, Washington Leadership Conference, and Central Honors Institute. His career interests include computer engineering, with a focus on hardware and embedded systems. ALEXANDRA GUIDO | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Alexandra is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. She served as treasurer and fundraiser for the Omaha branch of Special Musicians. She was responsible for managing funds, planning, and executing three fundraisers annually. She was also a drum major for the marching band at Millard North. In this role, her responsibility was to ensure rehearsals ran smoothly by assisting the directors and keeping other students on task. Her career interests include architectural engineering, with a focus on lighting or mechanical systems. SOLANA HONDA | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Solana is from Lincoln, NE and is majoring in civil engineering. She was a varsity pole vaulter for Lincoln East High School for four years and placed fourth at the NSAA State Track & Field Competition. She led the Lincoln Pole Vault Camp for two years, where she taught the basics of pole vaulting and coached participants. She was a Japanese exchange student group mentor. She worked closely with students to exchange American and Japanese culture and created an environment for students to feel at home in Nebraska. Solana’s career interests include civil engineering, with an emphasis on the environmental and structural design. She plans to create sustainable design solutions for her community and make a lasting impact on the world around her. JENOA JURGENS | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Jenoa is from Bennet, NE and is studying computer science and mathematics. She was vice president and president of the SkillsUSA team, where she organized and led fundraisers, field trips, competitive meets, and community service projects. She was captain of the club volleyball team and coached three youth volleyball teams. Her career interests include artificial intelligence. She hopes to create medical related technology that will help in day-to-day living. JONATHON KELLER | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jonathon is from Omaha, NE and is studying architectural engineering. He was captain of his high school varsity wrestling team, where he led the team to the Nebraska Dual State Championships, placing 5th in Class A. He is an Eagle Scout. Jonathan led a raised garden beds building project for a local senior center. Jonathon’s career interests include architectural engineering, with a focus on optimizing building systems and structural integrity. His goal is to design buildings that better utilize energy and construction materials.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
77
AEDAN LEAHY | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Aedan is from Omaha, NE and is studying IT Innovation. He was captain of the robotics club, where he led and assisted his team in the design, testing, and programming of a robot to compete in the 2019-2020 Vex Robotics tournaments. His career interests include software development, interactive media, graphic design, and other art-based fields. JARRET LINSCOTT | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jarret is from Lincoln, NE and is studying computer engineering. He is a graduate of Youth Leadership Lincoln. He was a committee leader for Key Club and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His career interests include software development. THOMAS MALINE | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Thomas is from Oakland, NE and is studying aviation and business. He served as president of the FFA chapter, reporter of the National Honor Society, and captain of the football, wrestling, and golf teams. His career interests include becoming an airline captain and having his own charter plane company. ALEX MARTINELLI | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Alex is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer engineering, mathematics, and music theory. His leadership experience includes being one of 150 seniors selected nationally to work for the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, MD. The 12-week position required topsecret clearance and residency in Ft. Meade. His career interests include computer engineering, with a specialization in astronautics. He hopes to design and pilot space vehicles. KAILEE MATRAS | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Kailee is from Papillion, NE and is studying biology, chemistry, and Spanish. She was varsity captain of the forensic team, where she organized and led meetings, tournaments, fundraisers, and mentored younger members. Kailee was also the vice president and president of Health Occupations for Students of America . In these roles, she attended leadership conferences, organized chapter meetings, and hosted fundraising events for local charities. Her career interests include the medical field with a focus on personalized medicine and customized patient care. She is passionate about helping others and hopes to work as an emergency physician in the future. JACK MOORE | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Jack is from Omaha, NE and is studying management information systems and business. He founded his high school AV club to assist student groups and departments with their audiovisual needs. His career interests include Information Technology infrastructure. REBEKAH NELSON | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Rebekah is from Auburn, NE and is studying electrical engineering. She was captain of the marching band’s color guard, volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams. She was recognized as the Most Valuable Player by her soccer teammates and coaches. Her career interests include electrical engineering, with a focus on environmental impacts of the production of electricity. She hopes to design more efficient electrical cars. JOSHUA OARHE | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Joshua is from Elkhorn, NE and is studying molecular and biomedical biology, chemistry, and medical humanities. His faculty mentor is Dr. Nadira Ford-Robbins. He was president of the Senior Class Board, in which he helped to organize the graduation ceremony, choose the class motto and senior speaker, facilitate meetings, and choose senior traditions. Joshua also served as president and secretary of the National Honor Society. In this capacity, he inducted new members, facilitated monthly meetings, recorded volunteer hours, coordinated service projects, and tutored in math and science. He was also a president of Students Against Destructive Decisions, in which he helped to organize and promote group activities and events. He was captain of the school’s competitive speech team, where he wrote and presented speeches, assisted team members, organized the calendar of events, and built visual aids. His career interests include surgical medicine, with an emphasis in orthopedics or neurology. He hopes to focus on clinical practice and participate in research and clinical trials.
78 S T UDEN T PROF ILE S
AVA RECH | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Ava is from Blair, NE and is studying mathematics. She was a senior mentor and a mathematics tutor for two years. In addition, she has been a member of the band, show choir, and chamber choir. Her career interests include actuarial science and she hopes to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. EVAN RILEY | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Evan is from Eagle, NE and is studying computer science. He was a state officer and president of the SkillsUSA team, where he led and motivated teammates in leadership and technical skills. He also provided leadership in band, science club, math club, and the Boy Scouts. His career interests include computer science, with a focus on artificial intelligence. He hopes to create more effective solutions to a variety of problems across many industries. CLAIRE SCHWEIKERT | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Claire is from Papillion, NE and is studying cybersecurity and Spanish. She was show choir vocal section leader for three years. In this role, she led rehearsals, collaborated with the director on improvements to the show, and aided section members in perfecting their vocal performance. She also helped plan and lead events as an FBLA officer. As chapter treasurer, she represented her high school during a funding proposal to the Security National Bank. As chapter president, she led meetings and facilitated activities to prepare her chapter for State Leadership Competition, where she placed 20th in Business Communication; 12th in Word Processing, and 3rd in Introduction to Business Communication, qualifying her for the National Leadership Conference in Maryland. She served as a member of the upper council in the Papillion Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council. Her career interests include protecting computer systems and data in the cybersecurity field. She also plans to further develop her Spanish fluency in support of bilingual workplaces. DIANNA SLEDGE | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Dianna is from Omaha, NE and is studying computer science. She was editor of her school’s newspaper, where she wrote and reviewed publication pieces. She was also president of the art club. Her career interests include computer science, cybersecurity, and animation. GRACE TETSCHNER | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Grace is from Bennington, NE, and is studying chemistry. She was captain of the cross country team and basketball team. She also led the marching band as a drum major for two years. In these roles, she has learned a lot about the power of inclusion and how far a little encouragement can take a team towards success. Her career interests include mathematics and science research relating to medicine and teaching. KELSI WEILAGE | FRESHMAN | UNL | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Kelsi is from Murray, NE and is studying architectural engineering. She was captain of her high school dance, soccer, and speech teams. In these roles she was responsible for practices, mentoring team members, and competing in events such as persuasive and informative speaking. She served as vice president of her graduating class and National Honor Society, as well as president of the FFA. In these roles, she planned fundraisers, hosted events, facilitated meetings, coordinated community service projects, and led the chapter through competitions. Her career interests include architectural engineering, with an emphasis on environmental and sustainable design. ALLISON WILSON | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Allie is from Valley, NE and is studying biology. She served as treasurer for the National Honor Society, where she helped plan and execute fundraisers and Red Cross blood drives. She has also been a peer leader and captain of the varsity volleyball team, as well as leading chapel twice a week. Her career interests include medicine and biology. ELLIE ZENTNER | FRESHMAN | UNO | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Ellie is from Omaha, NE and is studying neuroscience, premed, psychology, and chemistry. She was president of Students Against Destructive Decisions. In this role, she organized activities that promoted healthy decisions. Her career interests include attending medical school to become either a neurosurgeon or neurologist. She hopes make research advances in various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
DIVISION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
WA LT ER SCOT T, JR . SCHOL A R SHIP PROGR A M
79
6510 Pine Street Omaha, NE 68106 Scott Residence Hall 402.554.2091 unoscottscholars@unomaha.edu scottscholars.unomaha.edu