WALTER SCOTT, JR. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
HARNOOR DHALIWAL AND WAYNE WATKINS
Dear Scott Scholars and colleagues of the program,
Our beloved benefactor and visionary, Walter Scott Jr., lived an exemplary and exceptionally impactful life. He did so by investing in people who create societal value through learning, innovation, and prudent investing of time, talent, and resources. Walter desired that each Scott Scholar be a leader and a value creator. One who acquires knowledge and exemplifies and implements skill, creativity, tenacity, and wisdom. One who solves grand challenges and wicked problems. One who develops solutions that are both incremental and disruptive.
The Scott Scholars Program, in fulfilling Walter’s objectives, finds itself striving to perfect the undergraduate learning and development experience within legacy higher education systems, that likewise have significant challenges and wicked problems. The higher education industry is being disrupted by improved outcome models of education that are also less costly in both time and treasure. As a Scott Scholars leadership team, we look forward to being a breakthrough model, not only for the education systems as they are today, but also one that can help create improved models for the future. This is based on our experience with our highly successful living learning community and supplemental programming model and having awareness of and appreciation for our local, national and world communities. We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing the journey together.
We hope you enjoy this annual report’s insights on:
1. Our 28 Scott Scholars graduates from the 2023-2024 academic year, 13 of whom will continue full-time education in Nebraska. The other 15 will have full-time employment, with 13 of them remaining in Nebraska.
2. Our expanded UNO undergraduate program and our incoming cohort of 44 first year scholars studying 13 STEM majors in engineering, information science and technology, and sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, economics, and mathematics.
3. Our expanded and enhanced Design Studio Internship for Scott Scholars this year includes 31 interns from all five Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarship programs around the country. It has become a remarkably successful model for onboarding Scott Scholars into the realms of design thinking and community impact.
4. Our highly impactful, multiyear Community Action Projects, led by our new administrative team member and Scott Scholars alumna, Kaitlyn Baysa, who is responsible for both the Design Studio Internship and Community Action Projects.
5. Our customized learning and experiential pathways for each scholar with plans to be enhanced by artificial intelligence.
6. Our business creation support efforts.
7. Our updated programming focused on emerging topics such as principled pluralism (in response to our increasingly polarized world).
8. Our pilot year of the UNMC Scott Scholars Program and its mission to build and strengthen the talent pipeline for much-needed healthcare professionals in Nebraska.
9. Our third-annual Nebraska City Lied Lodge retreat, where the graduating seniors reflected on their undergraduate experience, shared their career and life goals, and provided important insights to our team on program improvements. Each graduate also created a “life manifesto”.
10. The Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation continues to provide Scott Scholars with high level, behind the scenes, individualized meetings with top leaders in our communities.
We look forward to continuous program improvement and individual Scott Scholar success.
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
The UNO Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarship Program is powered by university leadership, staff, and faculty advisors, and the support of the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation. Together, they seek to bring STEMfocused human development opportunities to Scott Scholars that foster innovation and positive impact in Omaha and beyond.
LEADERSHIP:
CO-EXECUTIVE
CO-EXECUTIVE
ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD:
SCOTT SCHOLARS OUTREACH TEAM:
A dynamic group of current Scott Scholars, the Outreach Team focuses on enhancing recruitment efforts, promoting the program’s initiatives on campus and to the public, and cultivating a strong sense of community among the
This team of 40 students plays a crucial role in ensuring a vibrant and supportive culture within the program.
THE MODEL PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The UNO Scott Scholars Program provides a living and learning community and signature developmental experiences. This whole-person approach supports Scott Scholars’ growth in essential areas related to intellect, creativity, civic engagement, and wellness.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Scott Scholars engage in an enriched undergraduate educational experience that integrates curricular and co-curricular learning. Challenging by design, the program equips students with the technical, social, emotional, and problem-solving skills necessary to excel as STEM leaders in their communities and chosen professions. Five learning outcomes are utilized to evaluate program initiatives and goals.
SCOTT SCHOLARS BECOME CAREER-READY
Scholars develop industry-leading technical skills, ensuring they enter their chosen fields as top-tier candidates. They translate their many curricular and co-curricular learning experiences into a career portfolio filled with high-impact internships and research positions in regional and national labs, Community Action Projects, and individualized career development opportunities.
SCOTT SCHOLARS DEVELOP AS LEADERS
Scholars explore their leader identities and learn to engage in responsible leadership that inspires others to affect positive change through the accomplishment of common goals.
SCOTT SCHOLARS DEVELOP A STRONG SENSE OF SELF
Scholars become comfortable with self-reflection and learn to articulate and leverage specific strengths, skills, and competencies. They understand how their values and beliefs fit within the context of our complex social landscape.
SCOTT SCHOLARS BECOME COMMUNITY-FOCUSED
Scholars grow into community-engaged citizens through participation in various service projects and ongoing commitments. They use their specialized skills for community advancement.
SCOTT SCHOLARS DEVELOP A LEARNING MINDSET
Scholars become excellent critical and creative thinkers who are able to integrate and use technical knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines to generate new ideas and solve problems. They understand the importance of life-long learning and being open to new experiences and opportunities for continued growth.
ACAD EMICS
Degree completion in approved STEM pathways
(see p. 43)
Pursuit of scholarly opportunities outside of the classroom
Enrollment in leadership and software development courses
Requirement to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and a full-time courseload
LEARNING OUTCOMES SUPPORTED:
• Learning Mindset
• Career-Ready
The educational architecture of the Scott Scholars Program features robust STEM curriculum, access to whole-person development opportunities, and impactful mentoring, networking, and community partnerships.
IMPA
CT
Living and learning community at Scott Residence Hall and Scott Village
Leadership Development course
Stanford design thinking skill mastery
Community Action Projects
Experiential learning opportunities
Access to resources in software programming, personal finance, economic and legal systems, global appreciation, and career development
LEARNING OUTCOMES SUPPORTED:
• Community-Focused
• Leadership Development
• Developed Sense of Self
WHOLE-PERSON DE VE LO PMENT
Mentorship from program administrators, faculty, and external professionals
Networking and STEM-focused career and employment opportunities
Research and innovation
Enterprise creation support
Advocacy for community and societal challenges
LEARNING OUTCOMES SUPPORTED:
• Community-Focused
• Career-Ready
PROGRAMS
• A homebase for the program’s design thinking efforts, the Scott Scholars Design Studio space in Scott Residence Hall helps us facilitate design sprints and project work for community partners.
Entrepreneur Academy
• Entrepreneurial-minded students have access to enterprise creation resources and individualized mentorship connections.
Community Exploration
• It is imperative for Scott Scholars to experience and engage with Omaha and the state of Nebraska through many lenses, as Walter Scott, Jr. was so passionate about doing himself.
• Students participate in behind-thescenes tours at local companies and organizations and are encouraged to give back to their communities in impactful ways.
• Scott Scholars are given opportunities to explore diverse interests and passions.
Living & Learning Community
• All UNO Scott Scholars reside in Scott Residence Hall where they have exclusive access to private study areas, a game room and lounge, movie theatre, and exercise room.
• From cohort retreats to wellness activities, students are invited to several events each academic year that promote community and sense of belonging.
OneWord Project
• Each first-year Scott Scholar selects a particular word, their OneWord, that describes their values, ambitions, and worldview.
• OneWords are locked in with professional, stylized photos the students can reflect back on.
Be Well
• When it comes to students’ mental and physical health and wellness, Scott Scholars staff work to ensure they feel supported and empowered to seek out and utilize available resources.
• Each year, unique wellness opportunities are offered to all Scott Scholars to encourage and explore new self-care methods.
Let’s Talk About It
• This student-led group seeks to create an intentional space for constructive dialogue among individuals with varying viewpoints.
• The concept of principled pluralism is at the center of their meetings and group outings.
Community Action Projects
• Connecting STEM students with local organizations, Community Action Projects bring innovative solutions to Omaha.
• Teams of Scott Scholars use design thinking to identify a challenge, learn more about the people impacted by that challenge, and generate a list of potential solutions. After testing a prototype, the teams ultimately help their partners deploy and evaluate its impact.
Leadership YOU
• With a syllabus packed with leadership theory and design thinking principles, this required course for first-year Scott Scholars sets them up for lifelong success.
• Students work collaboratively with community organizations to solve complex problems with their newly honed skills.
Summer Design Studio Internship
• Interns work with partnering organizations to tackle highlevel problem statements using design thinking, coding, and other technical skills.
• Scott Scholars of all grade levels from across the country are invited to apply to this paid opportunity at UNO.
Career Development Institute
• Based on industry-specific trends and students’ current needs, the program creates career development curriculum and resources.
• Scott Scholars have access to individualized coaching for resume and cover letter creation, job applications, interviewing skills, and more.
Innovation Ignited
• A partnership with the MIT Work of the Future Initiative, this revolutionary educational model is aimed at advancing automation and AI in Nebraska.
• Participating students receive training from MIT then develop and implement innovative solutions that leverage AI, automation, and design thinking to improve processes and outcomes for a Nebraska-based partnering firm.
App Lab
• First-year Scott Scholars complete a required software development course, designed to introduce them to app development, where they work in teams to design and create apps that address the needs of a partnering community organization.
Career Week
• The program hosts this annual signature event to bring local and national employers and laboratories to campus for exclusive engagement opportunities with Scott Scholars.
UNMC SCOTT SCHOLARS PROGRAM
BRINGING FUTURE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO NEBRASKA
During the 2023-2024 academic year, the UNMC Scott Scholars Program successfully launched its inaugural scholarship initiative. This new program, supported by the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation, aims to train, support, and retain future healthcare leaders in Nebraska.
A cohort of 12 first-year medical students (M1) Scott Scholars was selected after a rigorous and competitive application process. While engrossed in their studies, the Scott Scholars also found research opportunities and leadership roles as class officers.
CLASS OF 2027 MEDICAL STUDENTS
NAME
Tristan Caffrey
Class President ^ Iowa State University
Ryan Chapman*
Alumni Relations Chair ^
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Madison Croomes Augustana University
Nour Elrokhsi*
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair ^ University of Nebraska at Omaha
Leigh Jahnke
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Neha Khalid University of Tulsa
Matthew Muellner
Philanthropy Chair ^ Yale University
Kiersten Preuss
Curriculum Chair ^
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
John Rogers Creighton University
Heather Richard*
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Calla Sullivan University of Notre Dame
Emma Weis University of Nebraska–Kearney
* Denotes students who were UNO Scott Scholars as undergraduates ^ UNMC Class Officer title
PROGRAM BENEFITS
GLOBAL IMMERSION
PROGRAM - ANÁHUAC UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP
The Scott Scholars Global Immersion Program aims to broaden students’ understanding of healthcare access across varied environments. In collaboration with Anáhuac University, Leigh Jahnke (‘27) traveled to Córdoba and Xalapa, Mexico. Through this immersive experience, Leigh participated in clinical shadowing, enhanced her proficiency in Spanish, and played a proactive role in patient care during a local health fair, underscoring the program’s commitment to fostering global perspectives in medical education.
f Cost coverage for room & board, textbooks, parking, tech device (iPad or laptop)
f Access to exclusive research and clinical opportunities
f Exclusive living and learning community at The Cosgrove apartments
f Personalized meetings with Scott Scholars Program leaders
LOOKING AHEAD – 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR AND BEYOND
f A new cohort of 12 first-year medical students will join the UNMC Scott Scholars program, bringing the total program size to 24 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
f Future cohorts will explore health design thinking through didactic and collaborative learning workshops. This innovative curriculum, based in empathy-driven communication and problem-solving skills, will equip the medical students with the necessary skills to make a significant impact on their clinical practice and the future of health care.
DESIGN THINKING
The UNO Scott Scholars program is centered around a commitment to empathy and innovation through design thinking—a human-centered approach to solving problems with the end user in mind.
DESIGN THINKING IN THE CLASSROOM
Starting their first year, Scott Scholars engage in a rigorous and deliberate design thinking curriculum integrated into both the Leadership Development and Software Development courses. This approach combines traditional teaching methods with experiential learning opportunities to cultivate their skills in problem-solving and innovation.
DESIGN THINKING IN THE COMMUNITY
Scott Scholars partner with organizations throughout the community to understand the challenges that their partners are facing and work to solve them using the design thinking methodology. These Community Action Projects launch as a part of the Leadership Development course and continue for 3 to 4 years, resulting in meaningful collaboration between students and community partners.
DESIGN THINKING AS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In Spring 2024, senior Scott Scholars took an introspective approach to design thinking in a “Designing Your Life” workshop session led by Design Thinking Coach, Dan Gilbert. Focused on self-discovery, goal setting, and everyday improvements, this session empowered the senior Scott Scholars to think about their future selves and how they plan on making an impact after their time in the Scott Scholars Program.
FIRST-YEAR COURSEWORK
CURRICULUM TOPICS
LEADERSHIP YOU
LEARNING TO LEAD, DESIGN, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, MATTER.
All first-year Scott Scholars must participate in a three-credit Leadership Development course taught by Harnoor Dhaliwal, Co-Executive Director for Scott Scholars. This course’s main objective is to provide students with fundamental knowledge and skills to apply human-centered design thinking to their professional goals and local and regional communities. Students must collaborate in small teams to create meaningful impact with local organizations, fostering a hands-on learning environment. Students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills through these collaborative projects, preparing them to become effective and responsible leaders in their chosen fields.
SELECTED COURSE TEXTS AND READINGS
f From Point A to Point B by Walter Scott
f The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
f Dare To Matter: Your Path to Making a Difference Now by Jordan Kassalow
SEMESTER SCHEDULE TITLE: EDL 2590
f Week 1: Values Vote
f Week 2: Benjamin Zander Introduction
f Week 3: Leadership Identity Development
f Week 4: Extreme By Design
f Week 5: Problem Pitches by local organizations
f Week 6: Design Thinking: Empathy
f Week 7: Design Thinking: Define
f Week 8: Design Thinking: Ideate
f Week 9: Design Thinking: Prototype
f Week 10: Design Thinking: Test
f Week 11: Group Presentation
f Week 12: Group Presentation
f Week 13: Group Presentation
f Week 14: Group Presentation
f Week 15: Prep Week
f Week 16: Final Exam
FIRST-YEAR COURSEWORK
SOFTWARE CODING COURSE
As a follow-up to their first-year Leadership Development and Design Thinking course, all first-year Scott Scholars enroll in a three-credit software development course titled “App Development Using Swift.” This course aims to introduce students to the Swift programming language and the fundamentals of app development.
Students collaborate in teams to identify a need within their partnering community organizations and design and create an app to address that need. The course covers basic concepts of app programming, user interface design tools, and the constraints and considerations relevant to app development. Emphasizing student-driven design and implementation, the course requires students to work cooperatively in teams to achieve meaningful outcomes. The primary outcome is the design and delivery of a mobile app for their community action project partners.
SELECTED COURSE TEXTS AND READINGS
f iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide by Christina Keur and Aaron Hillegass
f Swift Developer Documentation by Apple Computer
SEMESTER SCHEDULE TITLE: CSCI 2980
f Week 1: Course Introduction
f Week 2: User interfaces and Control flow
f Week 3: UI Connections
f Week 4: Project proposal presentation
f Week 5: Using arrays and functions
f Week 6: Constraints and stack views
f Week 7: Segues and multiple screens
f Week 8: Tabbed apps and gestures
f Week 9: Images and image views
f Week 10: Additional Swift language features/UI elements
f Week 11: Project work time
f Week 12: Project check point
f Week 13: Group presentation
f Week 14: Group presentation
f Week 15: Prep week
f Week 16: Final exam
COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS
Scott Scholars Community Action Projects (CAPs) connect high-achieving STEM students from University of Nebraska at Omaha with organizations in the Omaha metropolitan area to develop innovative solutions to community challenges. Using design thinking, a human-centered approach to innovation, teams of 6-8 Scott Scholars work with a partnering organization to identify a challenge, learn more about the people impacted by that challenge, and develop a list of potential solutions. From there, the team chooses one solution to prototype, and ultimately helps the partner deploy and evaluate the impact of the prototype and their work overall.
CAPs strive to create valuable experiences for Scott Scholars and their community partners. Different from traditional group projects students face in academic contexts, CAPs present real-life operational challenges, provide the opportunity to create professional relationships with peers and organization partners, and encourage students to challenge themselves to make an impact in their communities.
PROGRAM GOALS
SCOTT SCHOLARS WILL:
f Use design thinking skills to create a prototype for a tool, program, or service that a community partner can test in a real-life setting.
f Gain experience working in teams through a rapid and principled design process.
f Learn about the Omaha metropolitan area’s opportunities and challenges with experts in the field.
f Challenge their thinking with human-centered empathy skills, far beyond what most are exposed to in STEM curriculum alone.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS WILL:
f Receive creative thinking services and a testable solution aimed at solving a challenge or leveraging an opportunity faced by their organization.
f Build awareness about their organization and its mission with a captive student audience.
f Be inspired and refreshed from engagement with thoughtful and committed undergraduates
THE UNO SCOTT SCHOLARS PROGRAM WILL:
f Build capacity, tools, and processes for how student teams can work together on a variety of projects.
f Tie together academic excellence with community impact in ways that create value for UNO, Nebraska, and the entire region.
f Strengthen the brand identity of the Scott Scholars program in the region.
NEW COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS
FOR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
In the fall of 2023, 42 first-year Scott Scholars participated in over 960 hours of technical community service in support of four Omaha metro area community organizations.
The projects culminated in the development and presentation of high-fidelity prototypes to senior leaders of each organization. Scott Scholars will continue to support the following organizations by designing technical solutions up until graduation.
COLLECTIVE FOR YOUTH
Collective for Youth (CFY) provides out-of-school programming to over 7,000 elementary and middle school-aged students throughout the Omaha metropolitan area. With their primary objective to connect youth to a rich community of dedicated partners who value imagination, engagement, and growth, CFY facilitates high-quality resources and training for 60 individual out-of-school programs across 42 Omaha Public Schools each year. Their mission is carried out thanks to a three-part cyclical model in which CFY assists their partner agencies in providing necessary programming to the community, connects these program providers to funders, and connects these funders back to the community. The benefits of these efforts are seen at each level, allowing providers to receive the training, support, and funding they need while raising a generation of lifelong learners who are engaged in the community. Acting as connectors, coordinators, and cheerleaders, CFY brings the right people together to develop a healthy community for all.
Scott Scholars are establishing new communication standards and processes within CFY and with their community partners, in addition to reimagining staff training to improve program consistency and increase employee retention.
CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE
Child Saving Institute (CSI) is a nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to address the changing needs of children and families in the Omaha area. Driven by their mission to ensure all children and families have access to the mental, emotional, and physical spaces they need to feel empowered, CSI provides diverse programming and services to meet families where they are. These programs include pediatric and adolescent therapy, foster and kinship care, domestic violence recovery and support, missing youth shelters, and early childhood education. Each year, CSI serves nearly 3,000 children and families, 90% of whom reported
a significant improvement in their mental health after receiving services at CSI. By leading with empathy, establishing trust, and building confidence in those that they serve, CSI strives to plant seeds of potential that strengthen the Omaha community.
Scott Scholars are devising strategies to improve employee recruitment and retention efforts and are streamlining the organization’s processes for data storage, management, and security.
COMPLETELY KIDS
Completely KIDS is a non-profit organization that educates and empowers children and their families by offering a variety of after school and summer services that ensure they have access to the knowledge and skills necessary to break the cycle of poverty. Operating across 17 locations, including public and parochial schools, homeless shelters, and the Ronald McDonald House, Completely KIDS implements a holistic approach to meet the needs of 2,000 children and families. This includes several curriculum-driven youth programs that enhance and support children’s learning while granting them a variety of exciting and impactful experiences, such as service learning and field trips, sporting events, club memberships, civic engagement opportunities, and so much more. Additional services address mental health, family support, and food insecurity.
Scott Scholars are automating Completely KIDS’ inventory system to reduce staff workload and increase efficiency, amongst other initiatives to improve staff retention.
SOFTSXILLS
Softsxills is an innovative company that aims to bridge the gap between education and employability. Through a series of evaluations completed by both students and teachers, Softsxills generates a comprehensive and dynamic profile of an individual’s soft skills and facilitates their educational and professional development. Softsxills’ mission is two-fold. They aim to help
businesses find the employees that best suit their needs while streamlining the hiring process by curating a more detailed and accurate representation of a candidate’s abilities. Softsxills also strives to support the growing number of students who feel unprepared and unsure about their chosen education or career pathway by empowering them with insightful data.
Scott Scholars are generating new ways to collect and manage data and distribute assessments in order to expand the company’s reach and impact.
42 FIRST-YEAR SCOTT SCHOLARS PARTICIPATED IN OVER
960 HOURS
ONGOING SUCCESS IN THE COMMUNITY
2023-2024
CAPS
RISE
Morgan Baker, Hailey Bixler, Katie Frey, Solana Honda, Noa Jurgens, Jonathan Kellor, Aedan Leahy, Grace Tetschner, Allie Wilson
Mission: RISE is an organization with the mission to break the generational cycles of incarceration. RISE offers programs for individuals preparing to leave incarceration and those who have recently left.
Problem statement: STEM careers feel inaccessible to RISE alumni because STEM fields are not diverse, thereby limiting their job opportunities.
Solution: Scott Scholars hosted a STEM Pathways event at the Kiewit Luminarium in early December where RISE participants and their families participated in an interactive experience with STEM-related exhibits. The students designed STEM packets with information on various fields and career areas for RISE participants to explore.
NEBRASKA ENTERPRISE FUND
Evan Clement, Temi Davies, Tom Maline, Dianna Sledge, Ryan Gaughen
Mission: NEF reaches entrepreneurs across Nebraska every year with support for starting and growing new businesses.
Problem statement: NEF seeks to document the impact of its work in a more robust way to better serve future entrepreneurs. With richer documentation of its impact on Nebraska entrepreneurs and communities, NEF can make compelling cases
for funding to current and future policymakers and leaders.
Solution: Scott Scholars designed, facilitated, and reported on a focus group with Nebraska Enterprise Fund clients in November where they gained valuable feedback on how NEF can better serve their customers. The focus group formatting and questions will serve as template for NEF to use for future focus group sessions.
ARBOR BANK
Ben Buggenhagen, Bede Fulton, Kelsi Weilage, Joshua Oarhe, Evan Riley, Logan Dunlop, Ryan Gaughen, Reece Fuchs, Jarrett Linscott, Tristan Bertsch
Mission: Arbor Bank has the mission of helping their clients grow whether that is from personal banking to mortgages to commercial and agricultural financing.
Problem Statement: Arbor Bank wants to keep up with the latest trends in technology and understands that AI has the potential to greatly impact different areas. They want to know more about how AI might impact the banking industry and how that should inform future operations at Arbor Bank.
Solution: Scott Scholars researched different generative AI platforms and compared their capabilities to draw conclusions that would be useful to Arbor Bank. They presented their findings at the Arbor Bank Presidential Board Meeting in February.
SMART GEN SOCIETY
Ava Rech, Brendan Falkinburg, Toby Heinemann, Ian Fuelberth
Mission: Smart Gen Society works to empower smart choices in a digital world. This includes educating students, educators, parents and caregivers, businesses, physicians, and law enforcement.
Problem Statement: With AI constantly evolving, K-12 teachers are having to also evolve their teaching and assessments as a response to the vast capabilities of AI. Smart Gen Society wants to know how they can empower teachers in this changing environment.
Solution: Scott Scholars designed and created a survey for teachers (K-12) to gain insight into their current uses of AI in the classroom to better inform Smart Gen Society on how to educate teachers on the best practices of AI usages in the classroom. They consolidated their findings into a brochure helping to dispel any myths teachers have about AI as well as educate on different ways AI can be incorporated into the classroom.
PRAIRIE STEM
Bella Donovan, Erin Weidenhamer, Davis Hill, Claire Schweikert, Natalie Moore, Bekah Nelson, Sydnee Baysa, Tommy Bonebrake, Max Sladovnik
Mission: Prairie STEM is a nonprofit with the mission of providing world-class STEM Learning and Social Emotional Learning integration for anyone, everywhere.
Problem Statement: There is a lack of exposure for underprivileged female students in Nebraska to opportunities in STEM, which hinders diversity in the field and future growth.
Solution: Scott Scholars are planning another iteration of the signature Sisters in STEM event for Fall 2024 with new ideas and perspectives guiding the effort. The event will expose attendees to STEM fields through STEM activities and near-peer mentoring by the Scott Scholars. They want to provide young girls with educational opportunities they may not otherwise have in the classroom.
MALONE
Mission: Malone Maternal Wellness programs combat the inequities and disparities in Black infant and maternal health by providing affordable, safe, and culturally competent perinatal services.
APP TEAM
Carter Brehm, Stone Hoffman, Nolan Williams, Julia Ehlers, Kyleigh Murray
Problem Statement: Malone serves a growing number of patients who currently go to their Malone doulas for questions, which adds extra tasks to their workload as they are sending text messages, emails, and answering calls depending on how their clients reach out to them.
Solution: Scott Scholars planned, designed, and coded a maternal wellness app that includes resources, information, and FAQs for new and expecting mothers and partners.
DATA TEAM
Ava DeLaGarza, Jaden Nienhueser, JP Aurit, Tristan Weston
Problem Statement: Malone is looking to be more efficient with their multiple patient tracking and documentation resources to reference and report their data more effectively.
Solution: Scott Scholars created a new data management tool for Malone that improved the setup of their data methods, generated statistics, and provided easier ways to analyze their patients’ needs.
UNMC
Esther Samuel, Clare Euteneuer, Abby Meier, Izzy Webber, Bishesh Adhikari, Ethan Funke, Xavier Herman, Bella Madsen, Michael Maline, Jackson Petrzilka, Jackson Ward
Mission: As one of the fastest growing research centers in the country, Nebraska Medicine provides the highest levels of educational programs, innovative research, and extraordinary patient care.
Problem Statement: Nebraska Medicine is specifically interested in designing an improved emergency department (ED) for their patients, especially those whose primary language is not English or Spanish.
APP TEAM
Solution: Scott Scholars are radically redesigning ED discharge instructions for patients by developing an application that combines images with written discharge instructions to give visual representation with the hope of alleviating potential miscommunication.
SIMULATION TEAM
Solution: Scott Scholars created a simulation guide to give medical residents perspective on how their non-English speaking patients might feel when coming into the Emergency Department. They tested their simulation at UNMC’s Davis Global Center where this simulation will be implemented in resident curriculum.
BOCKSCAR – 55TH WING
Justin Bartels, Bennett Schliesser, Jack Rygg, Jagger Hastings, Megan Schubert, Marc Fayad, Ben Thomas, Michael LeBlanc
Mission: Bockscar is the Technology Innovation Sector of the 55th Wing of the US Air Force.
Problem Statement: The United States Air Force’s systems are outdated, and they struggle to stay current with their technology and practices. They have a guidebook on how to use one of their main systems, but the guidebook is extensive, disorganized, and only available in a PDF format.
Solution: Scott Scholars redesigned the Airforce’s handbook for their PECs system by reorganizing its sections of information and converting the information into a website format, making the information easily accessible to more individuals in the Air Force.
CORRALTECH/RISE
Evie Harvey, Hannah Stone, Ashton Halat, Nick Armstrong, Grant Peters, Sophia Birch, Elijah Gnuse
Mission: CorralTech is developing cutting-edge solutions including data analytics, precision livestock monitoring systems, and automated feeding and watering systems.
Semester 1 – Fall 2023, CorralTech
Problem Statement: Corral Tech wants to have a user-friendly website to attract new customers and provide useful information to current customers.
Solution: Scott Scholars evaluated and applied design principles to CorralTech’s website to improve the user experience for CorralTech’s customers. They presented these website suggestions to the founder, Jack Keating, in November, and those changes have been reflected in the company’s recent website redesign.
Semester 2 – Spring 2024, RISE
Mission: RISE is an organization with the mission to break the generational cycles of incarceration. RISE offers programs for individuals preparing to leave incarceration and those who have recently left.
Problem Statement: RISE needs a more efficient and effective way to utilize the testing data on their builders to better inform their decisions for future programming and curriculum.
Solution: Scott Scholars are redesigning the way that builders receive feedback and scores from their baseline tests to make the process more effective and empathetic to each builders’ situation. They will continue this project in Fall 2024 to empower builders to excel through the RISE program.
SPECIAL SPACES
Alaina Lorkovic, Callum Ward, Chris Schinzel, Peyton Brooking, Mason Wickstrom, Jossen Rinn, Tony Garcia
Mission: Special Spaces creates one-of-a-kind dream bedrooms customized for each child to give them a place where they can just be a kid during a difficult time of their lives.
Problem Statement: Special Spaces has more need for rooms than they have staffing or time to accommodate, so they are looking for ways to create more involvement with the organization.
Solution: Scott Scholars are helping to expand the work of Special Spaces by designing, organizing, and executing a Junior Board to further carry out Special Spaces’ mission. Their first event as a Junior Board is Special Strides, a 5k fundraiser, which will help Special Spaces continue their mission of creating safe environments for kids who need them.
TRI-FAITH INITIATIVE
Keegan Shanahan, Haley Bates, Karter Jeffrey, Preston Higginbotham, Shreeya Shapkota, Cole Mack, Ian Meyer, John Mentgen, Abby Kline
Mission: Tri-Faith aims to foster a space where people of all faiths can come together and openly practice their religion with the opportunity to have meaningful conversations about other religions in a respectful manner.
Problem Statement: Tri-Faith has seen a shift in religious views within the younger generation, which has led to an older population being involved in Tri-Faith.
Solution: The Scott Scholars designed and conducted a survey to better understand the changing landscape of religion, especially within the younger generation to help Tri-Faith extend their mission to a wider population in the Omaha area. They shared the findings and their implications to members of the Tri-Faith Board in April 2024.
COMMUNITY & SENSE OF BELONGING
Scott Scholars are known for their unwavering work ethic and drive to achieve. Between the grind of challenging coursework and high-impact internships, it’s important for them to build relationships and lean into the benefits of their living & learning community. From their first year of college through alumni status, the goal is for Scott Scholars to experience an equitable environment that cultivates a strong sense of belonging and a supportive network.
The Scott Scholars program team creates intentional programming aimed at helping the students foster meaningful connections in their own cohorts and beyond.
FIRST-YEAR RETREAT | AUGUST 26, 2023
The 42-student cohort kicked off their first semester with a full day of getting to know their on-campus resources and each other. Their morning began with a presentation on mental wellness from UNO’s Counseling and Psychological Services and a customized CliftonStrengths workshop. They spent the afternoon at Carol Joy Holling Center in Ashland, NE, where their leadership skills were pushed to new heights.
• Connect to Campus presentations
• CliftonStrengths Assessment & workshop
• High ropes course
• Teambuilding and leadership challenges
ALL-CLASS CELEBRATION | AUGUST 27, 2023
A fun-filled day of outdoor activities, food, and music, the Scott Scholars All-Class Celebration aims to build community by creating opportunities for Scott Scholars to connect with others with similar majors outside of their class. The students formed groups by major and took on competitive challenges and enjoyed breaks for snacks, dancing, and yard games.
SENIOR RETREAT | APRIL 12-13, 2024
The soon-to-be graduates took a weekend to celebrate their successful tenure as UNO Scott Scholars. From cheering on each other’s plans to giving valuable feedback to program leaders, the seniors helped create a meaningful weekend.
The overnight retreat at Leid Lodge at Arbor Day Farm included:
• Reflection on experience in Scott Scholars Program
• Design Your Life workshop for future goals
• Post-graduation plans sharing session
SCOTT RESIDENCE HALL COMMUNITY
When Scott Scholars are asked to name the most valuable aspects of the scholarship program, one of the top answers is, “the community.” The students enjoyed a school year filled with group study sessions in the Collaborative Space, holiday parties in the game room, movie nights in the theatre, and sunny patio de-stress sessions.
OneWord
First-year Scott Scholars dig deep with this signature get-to-knowyou activity, in which students identify and explain a particular word that describes them.
CONNECTION TO WALTER SCOTT, JR.
FIRST-YEAR ZOO TRIP | SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
On September 15, 2023, the Suzanne & Walter Scott, Jr. Foundation hosted the freshman cohort at the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to learn more about Walter’s legacy and his and Suzanne’s passion for supporting community organizations. Top memories from the day included the surprise visit from a cheetah during lunch and up-close encounters with the giraffes.
WALTER’S FAVORITE THINGS DAY | MAY 9, 2024
The Scott Scholars honor Walter’s birthday by indulging in one of his favorite things in this beloved annual tradition. This year, the Favorite Things Day eCreamery ice cream truck rolled up to Scott Residence Hall, providing an afternoon of outstanding desserts, even better conversation, and a much-needed study break before finals week.
SENIOR CELEBRATION | FEBRUARY 15-16, 2024
The Suzanne & Walter Scott, Jr. Foundation celebrated the graduating class of 2024 with a two-day event at a few of Omaha’s can’t miss destinations. On Friday, February 16, Scott Scholars from five institutions enjoyed an evening social and STEM spectacles at the Luminarium. Then, on Saturday, February 17, they heard from esteemed speakers and dined at the Cottonwood Hotel.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & TRAVEL
ASPEN IDEAS: HEALTH
| JUNE 21-24, 2023
Attendees: Justin Bartels, Bella Donovan, Antonio Garcia, Jaden Nienhueser
Aspen Ideas: Health brings together healthcare and public health practitioners, researchers, business leaders, policymakers, advocates, artists, and journalists to bring light to a path toward better health for all. Leaders paving the way in health, medicine, and science contributed to discussions on urgent challenges, cutting-edge innovations, and transformative ideas. Aspen Ideas: Health 2023 explored seven core themes: Power of Design, Science of Tomorrow, The Healing Economy, Planet Health, Spotlight on Women’s Health, How to Thrive, and The Senses. Scott Scholars enjoyed the opportunity to hear from Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Chelsea Clinton among other captivating speakers.
ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL
| JUNE 24-27, 2023
Attendees: Hailey Bixler, Megan Schubert, Keegan Shanahan
Seeking new perspectives and big ideas, the Scott Scholars engaged in a wide variety of sessions at the 2023 Ideas Festival. The 2023 Aspen Ideas Festival explored seven substantive themes: We the People, The Edge of Intelligence, Age of Uncertainty: Imagining a New World Order, Life Well Lived, Driving the Economy Forward, Powering the Future, and The Mind. Each morning began with the “Wicked Problem” series, where attendees gathered to explore a complex current issue in depth. Renowned speakers explored topics like educational content, living with AI, affirmative action, guns in America, and immigration.
ASPEN CYBER SUMMIT | NOVEMBER 15, 2023
Attendees: Carter Brehm, Mike Maline, Justin Bartels, Elijah Gnuse, Bennett Schliesser, Callum Ward, Janny Nguyen, Maggie Slusher, Drew Swanberg
Scott Scholars attended the 8th annual Aspen Cyber Summit in New York City hosted by the Aspen Institute. The students were selected based on their interest in cybersecurity and its growing importance in tech and other industries. Esteemed presenters and panelists came from a broad range of professions and roles (business, government, academia, and civil society). Scott Scholars listened to 14 sessions throughout the day on topics like artificial intelligence, national security, cyber education, cyber disclosure rules, and ransomware.
ASU/GSV
2024 | APRIL 14-17, 2023
Attendees: Meg Aerni, Haley Bates, Ava DeLaGarza
The ASU + GSV Summit held in San Diego, CA is renowned as the premier international gathering addressing the opportunities and challenges in education. Facing a pivotal moment for the United States’ education system, the ASU + GSV Summit convened exceptional thought leaders and speakers from various educational backgrounds. Scott Scholars left with a deeper understanding, commitment, and visionary outlook on creating impactful and thoughtful learning opportunities in their respective majors and interest areas.
PLURALISM
FORUM | FEBRUARY 21, 2023
Attendees: Meg Aerni, Reid Chapman, Jenna Kramer, Isabella Mitchell, Anthony Robinson, Marcus Sherrod, Drew Swanberg, Angelique Vargas
Eight Scott Scholars from the “Let’s Talk About It” student group attended a forum at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. based in the topic of pluralism and titled, “With Malice Toward None, With Charity for All.” Students met national leaders such as The Honorable Spencer Cox, The Honorable Wes Moore, Donna Brazile, and Dr. Timothy Shriver. The forum discussed the challenges that the United States faces amid ideological differences and how Americans can choose a more empathetic path moving forward.
MCAT PREP COURSE SPONSORSHIP | SPRING 2024
Participants: Clare Euteneuer, Abby Meier, Josh Oahre*, Eben Samuel, Esther Samuel, Isabelle Weber, Nolan Williams
Seven Scott Scholars applied to medical school for the 2024-2025 school year. Knowing the impact of MCAT scores on medical school admission, the Scott Scholars program signed on to sponsor students’ tuition for Kaplan’s MCAT preparation course. Students completed a series of practice tests, logged their study hours, and reported their scores to Scott Scholars administration. The course covered all the test sections and provided the students with more tools to prepare for the test.
*Student’s tuition was covered by the Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP), but they completed the course following Scott Scholars guidelines.
BARBERSHOP QUARTET – HARMONY UNIVERSITY | AUGUST 2024
Attendees: Cole Mack, John Mentgen, Chris Schinzel
In 2023, three Scott Scholars created a barbershop quartet with another UNO student. With support from the Scott Scholars program, they attended Harmony University at the University of Denver for a week-long conference packed with workshops for their individual voices and styles, group coaching, and connection with others from around the world who share their passion for singing and performing.
“MEETING PEOPLE, HAVING THESE EXPERIENCES, JUST EXPANDS YOUR PERSPECTIVE, EXPANDS YOUR NETWORK.”
Claire Schweikert Computer
Science
CAREER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
The Scott Scholars Career Development Institute (CDI) supports Scott Scholars by linking their professional interests with internship, research, and career opportunities in both established and emerging fields. CDI programs are crafted to assist Scott Scholars in exploring their interests, preparing for their careers, and ultimately, launching into Nebraska corporations and communities.
EXPLORE
f CliftonStrengths Assessment
f Job & Internship Search Assistance
f Industry Networking Opportunities
f Career Week
PREPARE
f Career Development Workshops
f Resume & Cover Letter Review
f LinkedIn Profile Review
f Practice Interviews
f Job & Internship Offer Navigation
LAUNCH
f Individualized Summer Experiences (Corporate Internships, National Research Laboratories)
f Job-Shadow Coordination
f Company Site Visits
f Access to Scott Scholars-specific Internship and Job Opportunities
f Engagement with Scott Scholars Alumni Network
“THOSE OPPORTUNITIES REALLY ARE A LAUNCHPAD THAT GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON AND BE LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY”
Katie Frey Architectural Engineering
The Scott Scholars program provides comprehensive support to students applying to medical school. This year, six scholars took a fully funded MCAT preparation course resulting in significant score increases from their baseline tests. Harnoor Dhaliwal, Co-Executive Director, hosted mock medical school interviews to sharpen communication skills and acquaint scholars with the interview process. Alex Mathews, Experiential Program Coordinator, helped the students refine their personal statements and resumes, enabling them to effectively showcase their academic achievements, research, and leadership experiences. This holistic approach cultivates confidence and readiness among students, significantly boosting their competitiveness in pursuing careers in medicine.
CAREER WEEK
OCTOBER 2023
The second-annual Career Week offered networking, industry exploration, and employment opportunities in sessions curated exclusively for Scott Scholars. This signature event goes above and beyond the traditional career fair model by creating a space for extended discussion and intentional recruiting for our partners.
Partners were selected to match the interests of Scott Scholars and included small and large companies and firms, a government organization, and local and national laboratories.
EMPLOYER SESSION ELEMENTS
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION
ADDITIONAL SESSIONS
f Cover Letter Writing Workshop
f Entrepreneurial Q&A
f Grayson Stanton | CEO, NebDev
f Health Sciences Research Overview
f Kenneth W. Bayles, PhD | Vice Chancellor of Research, UNMC
MINGLING & NETWORKING
PARTNERS
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
ENGINEERING OPPORTUNITIES
COMPUTER SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
ALUMNI INVOLVEMENT
Several Scott Scholars alumni returned to campus during Career Week, presenting during the Alvine Engineering, Veil, HDR, Fiserv, DataFeel, and NebDev sessions.
SUMMER 2023 DESIGN STUDIO INTERNSHIP OUTCOMES
UNMC COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
Problem Statement: Patients in rural settings often don’t have access to quality medical and dental care. Dental patients often complain that coming to a dental visit at an urban metropolitan location is stressful. Is there a way to utilize technology and specifically intraoral cameras to expand dental services to patients in rural settings?
Outcome: Scott Scholars created an application that helps UNMC patients easily access dental care, provides information about different topics of dental hygiene, and even offers a game for kids to learn how to care for their teeth.
• Morgan Moore | Project Lead Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Jenna Kramer | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Leo Pechous | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Akash Nooka | Sophomore, Notre Dame
• Charis Cooke | Sophomore, Creighton
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF NAVY
Problem Statement: There is a gap that exists between the demands of the consumer, threats of adversaries, and changes in technology, and the Department of Navy’s (DON) ability to deliver technology-based enterprise services. The SETR Process is used to provide a structure applicable to many critical acquisitions across the Department of Defense, however, it is heavily burdened with policy and non-technical impediments and designed for waterfall execution projects. The Air Force has made progress in enhancing agility in its SETR process by committing to implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe™) to accelerate delivery. The organization would benefit from developing a playbook that meets the requirements of each review event, following the recommended sprint and program increment cadences in SAFe.
Solution: The Scott Scholars team designed and developed a new framework and an implementation guidebook to transition the Navy from SETR to a more efficient SAFe process. The guidebook included process timelines, meeting agenda templates, and recommendations to improve their current processes. The intended impact is to help with streamlining the reviewing process with consistent parameters for approval.
• Tommy Bonebrake | Project Lead Junior, UNO
• Claire Peoples | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Liam Yetter | Incoming Freshman, CSU
• Lily Teeples | Sophomore, Hastings
• Lindsay Dietz | Senior, CSU
Problem Statement: Workplace charitable giving programs have existed for over 100 years, with few changes or advances beyond hard copy, electronic, and online giving options for employees. The current model does not appeal to younger employees, leading to a decline both in terms of dollars raised and employee participation. Yet this is an easy and efficient way for many people to give and for nonprofits to raise additional funds. It is a great way for employees to connect with nonprofit missions and for companies to show support to the community. To reinvigorate workplace giving, the model needs to be updated to engage all employees.
Solution: The Scott Scholars team looked to simplify the process of GiveNebraska’s giving campaign by creating a workplace giving app that creates a one-stop-shop for people wanting to start donating and those who are wanting to continue to donate. This new online platform makes it easy to learn about the different non-profit organizations that they can support and easily donate their desired amount directly through the website.
• Alena John | Project Lead, Junior, Hastings
• Drew Swanberg | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Jach Ehlers | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Judith Echeveste-Morales | Incoming Freshman, Creighton
• Angelique Vargas | Incoming Freshman, UNO
UNeTech
Problem Statement: Walking stability can be measured by a wide variety of means. It is challenging to establish compressive measures of walking stability when parsing multiple and potentially conflicting data sources. In addition, there are few effective ways of improving walking stability. Individuals who have unstable walking generally have few options to improve their walking stability, short of intentional physical therapy. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Omaha have discovered that pink noise, a semi-random pattern of sound that mimics natural, healthy biorhythms, can rehabilitate walking stability. In particular, they found that playing sounds or providing tactile stimulation in a pattern like pink noise improved people’s walking stability. UNeTech would like to engage the Scott Scholars to help design a user interface for an app, aimed at older adults, to use pink noise to improve their walking stability.
Solution: The Scott Scholars team designed and developed an online application utilizing pink noise to use the principles of resonance to improve the walking stability of older adults. The application relies on a specific algorithm containing metrics specific to the individual user to set the ideal average gait speed. The students focused on the user experience and design principles for the application to be distributed beyond the lab and into the hands of users.
• Claire Denton | Project Lead - Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Bryan Benitez | Project Lead Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Anthony Robinson | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Kaitlyn Parker | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Edward Pallotto | Junior, Hastings
• Reid Chapman | Incoming Freshman, UNO
GiveNebraska
SUMMER 2024
DESIGN STUDIO INTERNSHIP PROJECTS
Launched in the summer 2020, the Design Studio Internship program allows Scott Scholars to impact community organizations by helping them solve an organizational challenge using a human-centered design thinking approach. This summer was the largest cohort the Design Studio Internship program has had with 31 interns with all Scott Scholars Programs represented: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Creighton University, Colorado State University, University of Notre Dame, and Hastings College. Interns worked in teams over ten weeks to learn the design thinking process, understand the problem posed to them by their community partners, and deliver solutions to their partner organizations. In addition, Scott Scholar interns spend parts of their day learning application development to provide technical solutions to their organization partners. This summer, the Scott Scholars were fortunate to partner with Nebraska Medicine, the city of Valentine, Nebraska, Millard Public Schools, City Sprouts, and the U.S. Air Force.
Problem statement: As a small nonprofit organization, City Sprouts relies on the generous support of foundations, individual donors, and grant opportunities. As such, they partnered with the Scott Scholars to create exciting and engaging content to build and develop relationships with the donors, as well as improve fundraising campaigns to keep content fresh, informative, and approachable to the public and City Sprouts stakeholders.
• Annaliese Anderson | Project Lead – Senior, University of Notre Dame
• Jaden Epp | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Aaron Funke | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Juniper Weyhrich | Sophomore, UNO
• Brielle Wilson | Incoming Freshman, UNO
NEBRASKA MEDICINE
Problem Statement: The Emergency Department at Nebraska Medicine has patients that come in with different levels of urgency that vary by patient and their current condition. This varying degree of urgency affects the queue in which the patient might receive care. Nebraska Medicine is looking to have Scott Scholars help them understand patients’ expectations of their wait time in the emergency department and optimize the emergency department care and experience for patients.
• Story Talbert | Project Lead – Junior, Hastings College
• Sam Acosta Castellanos | Incoming Freshman, Hastings College
• Megan Althouse | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Molly Shanahan | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Shreeya Shapkota | Junior, UNO
VALENTINE, NE
Problem statement: Valentine, Nebraska is seeing a decrease in younger people coming to live in rural communities. Valentine Leadership is looking to create the most family-friendly community in Nebraska through actionable programs that could be readily implemented that encourage youth to connect with the community and come back home after furthering their education beyond high school.
• Josie Parker | Project Lead – Junior, Hastings College
• Reina Crowley | Incoming Freshman, Colorado State University
• Jacob Irwin | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Neil Prasanth | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Travis Wohlenhaus | Sophomore, Creighton University
U.S. AIR FORCE
Problem statement: Service acquisition represents over half of the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) spending, even more so than acquiring weapons systems such as airplanes, missiles, or space systems. However, despite encompassing a large portion of the DAF’s budget, acquisition of services traditionally has lacked the same program management discipline and attention compared to management of weapons systems. Service acquisition program offices are looking to have a more efficient management and reporting process to better track and easily provide status updates.
• D’andre Rogers | Junior, Colorado State University
• Joe Conner | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Nathan Deeds | Incoming Freshman, Creighton University
• Logan Doorlag | Incoming Freshman, UNO
MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Problem Statement: Millard Public Schools (MPS) has recognized that locally and nationally birth rates have fallen. This has led to a decrease in enrollment which impacts state funding and the ability to operate at optimum levels. MPS is looking to attract new students to the Millard School District by creating a new STEM education program based on specific teaching methodologies and effective community partnerships to ensure the long-term viability and adaptability of the program.
K-6
• Trisha Hammen | Sophomore, Colorado State University
• Marasia Harris | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Jackie MacGuire | Incoming Freshman, Colorado State University
• Nick Svoboda | Sophomore, UNO
• Paul Youell | Incoming Freshman, UNO 7-12
• Lucy Reid | Sophomore, Hastings College
• Emily Brown | Incoming Freshman, Colorado State University
• Salah Aldyn Kahair Allah | Incoming Freshman, UNO
• Kolton Kralik | Sophomore, UNO
FUN EVENTS IN OMAHA
Design Studio Interns had special opportunities to explore the Omaha area throughout their internship experience. This included having brunch at Walter’s house, exploring the Henry Doorly Zoo, attending the finals for the NCAA Men’s College World Series, touring the SAC Aerospace Museum, and visiting the Kiewit Luminarium.
CITY SPROUTS
INNOVATION IGNITED
A Human-centered Approach to Automation & Artificial Intelligence, in Partnership with MIT
THE PROBLEM
As society hurtles toward an era of unprecedented technological advancements, the need for future leaders who understand the implications of AI and automation is critical. There is also an urgent need for a revolutionary learning model that connects communities impacted by global issues with national and international experts across diverse fields to develop innovative solutions using a human-centered approach.
The role of higher education institutions in preparing students to tackle these challenges has never been greater, as this generation will be at the forefront of shaping the future of work—ensuring that workers are protected and the benefits of AI and automation are widely and equitably shared.
OUR SOLUTION
Innovation Ignited is a revolutionary educational model that forges a groundbreaking partnership between MIT, the world leader in cutting-edge technology, and Nebraska’s most prestigious STEM scholarship program. Together, our mission is clear: to develop innovative and ethical solutions that positively impact our local, regional, and global communities.
We’ve joined forces with MIT’s Work of the Future Initiative, which envisions an economy where dramatic advances in automation go hand in hand with improved opportunities and economic security for workers. The Automation Clinic is an applied research and education program in which MIT researchers partner with organizations to learn about the problems they aim to solve with new technologies, as well as the challenges they face and the consequences for their workers, customers, and society.
Through this partnership program’s comprehensive curriculum, students not only gain a deep understanding of the complex issues related to AI and automation, but they also develop the technical skills needed to design and implement effective and ethical solutions.
THE PROGRAM
Our innovative educational model is comprised of five key stages:
Stage 1: Students complete remote training delivered by MIT faculty that provides them with a solid foundation in AI and automation.
Stage 2: Students visit MIT’s campus and industry partners for tours at state-of-the-art automation and robotics laboratories, exposure to leading field experts, and handson experience with cutting-edge technology.
THE OUTCOMES
UNO Scott Scholars will:
f Acquire industry-leading skills in AI and automation and apply knowledge to solve diverse problems in local communities.
2023-2024 COHORT & PARTNERSHIPS
UNMC Center for Intelligent Health Care (CIHC): CIHC asked Reid Chapman (‘27), Anthony Robinson (‘27), and Claire Schweikert (‘24) to assist in the development of a robotic health/ patient attendant. Chapman and Robinson were tasked with working on the AI algorithms of the robot’s navigation with computer vision and large language models (LLM) for humanrobot interaction. Schweikert helped design the robot, advising on human-robot interaction, and ensuring that patients’ and clinicians’ experiences with the robot were duly considered. A variety of AI and automation techniques were utilized to solve these problems, including the use of Large Language Model Meta AI (LLaMA) and testing several LLMs.
Union Pacific (UP): UP challenged Evan Riley (‘24) and Will Harr (‘25) to streamline workflows and automate processes related to high volume and low complexity tasks within the Department of Labor Relations. Riley and Harr were also asked to generate solutions for their train coupling processes, as a major challenge is determining the adequate velocity at which to release the train cars to ensure minimal damage and successful coupling. Fellows implemented several AI and automation techniques to solve these problems, including LLaMA, machine learning (ML), discrepancy modeling, and sparse regression.
Stage 3: Students engage in ongoing educational modules that cover a wide range of topics, including advanced automation techniques, ROI decisions for workers and firms, and the ethical use of AI and automation.
Stage 4: Students work with Nebraska-based firms facing real-world automation challenges to generate innovative solutions prioritizing efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Stage 5: Students present their findings to firm stakeholders, the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation, MIT, and UNO.
f Develop and implement innovative solutions that leverage AI, automation, and design thinking to improve processes and outcomes across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing.
f Gain a deep understanding of the ethical implications of AI and automation and become equipped to navigate the complex challenges involved with these technologies.
Nebraska-based firms will:
f Receive innovative solutions to AI and automation challenges.
f Learn the potential applications of AI and automation in their industry.
f Attain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement customized solutions for their specific needs.
MIT will:
f Empower students with the knowledge and expertise of MIT’s Work of the Future Initiative to create meaningful change in Nebraska and beyond.
f Disseminate knowledge and scale the impact of MIT’s Work of the Future Initiative.
f Democratize access to high-quality education and inspire a new generation of leaders who will drive progress toward a better future for all humans.
REID CHAPMAN COMPUTER SCIENCE WILL HARR MATHEMATICS EVAN RILEY COMPUTER SCIENCE
ANTHONY ROBINSON COMPUTER ENGINEERING CLAIRE SCHWEIKERT COMPUTER SCIENCE
STUDENT RESEARCH &
RECOGNITION
STUDENT RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Scott Scholars seek out and are recruited for top research opportunities, both locally and nationally. For descriptions of each Scott Scholars research and internship positions, read the student bios in the final chapter of this report. The following are a few of the students’ most recent ventures.
NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND EDUCATION CENTER (NCITE)
STUDENT HONORS CONVOCATION | 2023-2024
UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR AWARDS
Academic units identify undergraduate major honorees through processes established within the unit or college. Honorees must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above and must be in good academic standing. They exemplify the best facets of the program and serve as student exemplars who represent the program in its best light.
** denotes a Dean’s Award. Each college’s dean recognizes one undergraduate major honoree, further acknowledging their success.
COLLEGE
OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
f Chemistry – Grace Tetschner
f Mathematics – Ava Rech
COLLEGE OF IS&T
f IT Innovation – Diana Sledge
f Bioinformatics – Sam Ali**
UNL - COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
f Architectural Engineering – Katie Frey**
f Electrical Engineering – Bekah Nelson
BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP
Isabelle Weber (‘25) was awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a national award recognizing undergraduate research in science, math, and engineering.
“With the support of Dr. Paul W. Denton, the professor I have conducted most of my undergraduate research with, I crafted an application centered around learning new analysis skills for flow cytometry. This proposal would be an addition to the research typically performed in Dr. Denton’s immunobiology lab and would enhance the data our lab generates weekly. The Goldwater Foundation approved my proposal and will sponsor my undergraduate research through graduation, in addition to providing a community of researchers I can interact with and learn from for the entirety of my career.”
Isabelle Weber, Class of 2025
U.S. ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (USAMRIID)
Claire Denton (‘27, Computer Science) and Isabella Mitchell (‘27, Molecular and Biomedical Biology) were selected for summer 2024 research programs at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). In the spring, they completed a preparation course in Dr. Paul W. Denton’s lab at UNO to learn the wet lab techniques they would need to be successful at USAMRIID.
“My project with Dr. Crystal Burke was to improve the methods for certain assays so that future inactivation studies can be more effectively conducted in order to continue the mission of USAMRIID.”
Claire Denton, Class of 2027
“I partook in research under Dr. Keersten Ricks and CPT Ian Davis in the Diagnostics Systems Division. My project’s overall goal was to develop and optimize a species agnostic serology assay for the Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV). This would improve biosurveillance in certain regions where RVFV is prevalent in human and animal reservoirs, as well as make testing for RVFV more accessible, adaptable, and attainable for partner labs.”
Isabella Mitchell, Class of 2027
In 2024, Drew Swanberg (‘27, IT Innovation) signed on as an intern and student researcher with NCITE, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for terrorism prevention and counterterrorism research. Working under Dr. Joel Elson, Drew was part of a team of researchers tasked with creating and testing a chatbot that walks users through identifying and reporting suspicious activity. The goal of this project is to improve the tips reporting process to minimize breakdowns in actions required to prevent terrorism and targeted violence.
UNMC SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Mollie Nielsen (‘27, Biology) worked as an internal medicine intern at UNMC’s Regenerative Medicine Research Laboratory through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). She assisted Dr. Bin Duan with a project focused on micro-gels for acute lung injury.
“I ENJOYED WORKING WITH INNOVATIVE RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AT UNMC!”
Mollie Nielsen Class of 2027
ACADEMIC PATHWAYS
Scott Scholars must select at least one approved STEM-focused major or program of study. Many students choose to add a second major, minor, or concentration. Secondary majors and minors are not required to be within STEM.
In line with UNO Regents Scholarship guidelines, Scott Scholars must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 each semester. They are expected to remain in good standing within their academic colleges and the university and meet Scott Scholars participation requirements.
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
ECONOMICS
MATHEMATICS
MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY
NEUROSCIENCE
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
PHYSICS
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, & HUMAN SCIENCES
LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
ECONOMICS
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
BIOMECHANICS
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING
COMPUTER ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
APPLIED COMPUTING & INFORMATICS
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNITY SERVICE
BIOINFORMATICS
COMPUTER SCIENCE
CYBERSECURITY
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
AVIATION
GRADUATING CLASS OF 2024
As the 2023-2024 school year concluded, 28 Scott Scholars graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Having dedicated countless hours to coursework, research, and internships, these accomplished individuals are now prepared to embark on the next stages of their journeys. Whether pursuing graduate studies or starting full-time careers, the Scott Scholars Class of 2024 has a promising future.
17 FULL-TIME POSITIONS WITH TOP ORGANIZATIONS
$80K AVERAGE SALARY 14 2
STUDENTS ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDENTS
“I HOPE THAT I’LL BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOT OF THE CONNECTIONS AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT I’VE BUILT HERE IN THE SCOTT PROGRAM AND CREATE A TEAM WHERE WE’LL BRING SUCH MEANINGFUL CHANGE TO THE COMMUNITIES HERE IN OUR COUNTRY.”
Joshua Oarhe Class of 2024
CLASS OF 2028
With 44 of Nebraska’s most accomplished students entering the UNO Scott Scholars Program in fall 2024, we have a lot to look forward to. The largest and most diverse cohort in program history boasts major accolades in academics and a wide range of areas like music, theatre, and speech. We eagerly anticipate their contributions, as they bring their unique perspectives, skills, and interests to enrich both the program and the university community.
Scott Scholar Major Hometown High School
Sofia Acosta Molecular and Biomedical Biology Omaha Omaha North
Madeleine Alexander Biomechanics Lincoln Homeschool
Megan Althouse Biomechanics Minden Minden
Anush Bhujel Biology Bellevue Daniel J. Gross
Addison Cass Economics Hastings Adams Central
Joseph Conner Biology Valley Millard North
Noah Coon Aviation Omaha VJ and Angela Skutt Catholic
Tuankhanh Dao Computer Science La Vista Millard North
Jennet David Computer Science Omaha Duchesne Academy
Logan Doorlag Computer Science Papillion Papillion La Vista South
Neely Edwards Biomechanics Omaha Millard South
Elizabeth Eischeid Molecular and Biomedical Biology Valley Lincoln Southwest
Jaden Epp Computer Engineering Lincoln Lincoln Pius X Catholic
Alec Foecking Electrical Engineering Norfolk Norfolk Catholic
Aaron Funke Applied Computing & Informatics Omaha VJ and Angela Skutt Catholic
Marasia Harris Civil Engineering Omaha Omaha Central
Amina Hussain Molecular and Biomedical Biology Omaha Millard North
Jacob Irwin Molecular and Biomedical Biology Omaha Elkhorn South
Abby Keating Molecular and Biomedical Biology Papillion Papillion La Vista South
Salah Aldyn Khair Allah Neuroscience Omaha Westside
Kylie Krusemark Architectual Engineering Omaha Millard West
Jacob Lamoureux Civil Engineering Blair Blair
Abigail Lauder Molecular and Biomedical Biology Juniata Adams Central
Mohammed Njie Cybersecurity Omaha Westside
Kathryn Novinski Molecular and Biomedical Biology Grand Island Grand Island Central Catholic
Ethan Park Chemistry Omaha Millard North
Uyen Phan Molecular and Biomedical Biology Bellevue Bellevue West
Ellery Potts Architectural Engineering Lincoln Elkhorn South
Neil Prasanth Cybersecurity Omaha Millard North
Trey Ruge Architectural Engineering Omaha Papillion La Vista
Aagya Sapkota Molecular and Biomedical Biology Omaha Millard West
Clare Schinzel Biology Omaha Brownell Talbot
Heyat Seid Computer Science Omaha Duchesne Academy
Molly Shanahan Molecular and Biomedical Biology La Vista Daniel J. Gross Catholic
Joseph Short Mathematics Elkhorn Westside
Mary Simon Neuroscience Omaha Bennington
Zoe Thomas Biology Papillion Papillion-La Vista South
Connor Trapp Biology LaVista VJ and Angela Skutt Catholic
Ria Vootla Chemistry Omaha Westside
Brielle Wilson Architectural Engineering Omaha Omaha Central
Isabella Winter Computer Science Omaha Homeschool
Jonathan Wood Neuroscience Omaha Daniel J. Gross
Paul Wood Molecular and Biomedical Biology Omaha Westside
Paul Youell Biology Omaha Creighton Prep
RECRUITMENT
PRIORITY REVIEW DEADLINE
Early, eligible applicants were invited to the Priority Candidate Applicant Day. NOV 5
VIP HEALTH CAREERS EVENT
Nine of Nebraska’s top high school seniors interested in pre-health careers attended this invitation-only event. It yielded five scholarship application submissions and one awarded scholarship.
SPRING 2024
APPLICANT
DAY EVENT
Eligible applicants who applied after the priority deadline were invited to the second Applicant Day. Interviews were held the following week.
SELECTION PROCESS METRICS
QUALIFIED APPLICATIONS: 121 TOTAL INTERVIEWS: 121
JAN
APPLICATION OPENED
Candidates submitted online applications with:
f Video essay
f Academic portfolio – ACT scores, GPA, transcripts
f Resume, honors, and involvement SEPT 1
18
2
31
APPLICATION CLOSED
PRIORITY CANDIDATE APPLICANT DAY EVENT
All qualified applicants must attend a Scott Scholars Applicant Day and an individual interview with the selection committee. Scholarship candidates and their family members came to UNO’s Scott Campus to hear presentations from program leaders, the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation, and Vice Chancellor Rich Klein. A family Q&A session, student design sprint challenge, and dormitory tour rounded out the events. Interviews were held the following two weeks.
BE A MAV DAYS
f In partnership with UNO New Student and Family Programs, the Scott Scholars program attended five oncampus Be A Mav Day events for one-on-one connection with high school seniors interested in STEM majors at UNO. HIGH SCHOOL VISITS
f Scott Scholars staff and Outreach Team students visited ten Nebraska high schools to encourage seniors to apply and help them envision themselves in the program.
CANDIDATE EVALUATION
27
1
DEADLINE TO ACCEPT SCHOLARSHIP
WAIT-LISTED (BUT ULTIMATELY NOT OFFERED): 23 NOT OFFERED: 40 OFFERS MADE: 58 MATRICULATING: 44
APPLICANT INFORMATION HIGH SCHOOLS REPRESENTED: 50 MAJORS REPRESENTED: 20 AVERAGE COMPOSITE ACT: 31.7 AVERAGE GPA: 4.15
Candidates participated in panel-style interviews with three Scott Scholars professional staff and a student from the Outreach Team. The goal of the rigorous candidate evaluation process is to identify and select students who demonstrate high potential for positive impact as exemplified by the following characteristics and more:
1. Achievement-focused: We seek self-starters who demonstrate drive and innovative thinking.
2. Effective communication and interpersonal skills: Scott Scholars are empathetic leaders who embody humility and a propensity for working well with others.
3. Commitment to STEM: Scott Scholars have a passion for learning, are service focused, and seek opportunities for value creation.
4. Exceptional cognitive skills: Scott Scholars earn superior marks in their scholarly endeavors.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS PROCESS
f About two to four weeks after the conclusion of interviews in both November and January, applicants received a status update in the form of a scholarship offer, an invitation to remain on the waiting list, or a declination.
f Offers are extended by the program until the roster is complete.
STUDENT PROFILES
Throughout their four years on campus, Scott Scholars build robust profiles with their research and internship experiences, community engagement, and career interests. Student profiles are displayed on the Scott Scholars website and are accessible to industry, research, and academic partners.
SENIORS | CLASS OF 2024
MORGAN BAKER | SENIOR | MATHEMATICS | HASTINGS, NE
Morgan is active in numerous organizations on campus. She is a member of the Swimming and Diving team at UNO. Additionally, Morgan served as the vice president of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society on campus, and actively participates in the UNO Honors Program. As a research intern at Mary Lanning Cardiology, she led a study on the different access sites for cardiac catheterization under Dr. Pradipta Chaudhuri. She also conducted research evaluating the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute. Following another study, Morgan presented her findings on the effects of pharmaceutical waste on aquatic life at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Over the past four years, Morgan’s Community Action Project group has dedicated efforts to RISE, a program that assists previously incarcerated individuals by providing job opportunities and necessary tools for successful integration into the community. Morgan plans to continue her academic journey by attending the UNMC College of Medicine in the fall. With her passion for healthcare and commitment to making a difference, she plans to pursue a career as a physician in women’s health.
TRISTAN BERTSCH
| SENIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | PAPILLION, NE
Tristan is proficient in a wide range of software tools, including Revit, SKM Power Tools, AGI32, COMcheck, Revu, Sketch-up, OpenStudio, and Microsoft Office. Most recently, Tristan served as a mechanical intern and engineering technician at Alvine Engineering, a firm focused on innovative and technological solutions. Previously, as a metals field laborer intern at Ayars & Ayars, Tristan was involved in building a new addition onto the Greater Omaha packing plant. He also served as a Scott Scholars Design Studio intern, where he developed a prototype scheduling program for the iEXCEL at UNMC’s Davis Global Center. Tristan currently serves as executive vice president of the Nebraska Engineering Student Council of Omaha (NESCO), and he also served as an architectural engineering student mentor, supporting fellow students in their academic and professional growth. Tristan is interested in a career in the engineering industry and wants to help his community through sustainable eco-friendly building systems. He will be pursuing a Master’s in Architectural Engineering upon graduation.
HAILEY BIXLER | SENIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE | NELIGH, NE
Hailey has interned with Fiserv where she analyzed a customer service call dataset for trends. She has also participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), where she worked with image recognition in a mobile application. For their Community Action Project, her team partnered with RISE, an organization that connects incarcerated individuals to stable jobs and housing upon re-entry into society, and assembled a toolkit for participants to develop their ideas and gather information to pitch business ideas. She has served on the Scott Scholars Leadership Council and as the chapter secretary for Future Business Leaders of America - Collegiate. Her career interests include using artificial intelligence to create a positive change in the world. Upon graduation, Hailey will be a software engineer at Roblox, while pursuing a Master’s in Decision Analysis at Minerva University in San Francisco.
BENJAMIN BUGENHAGEN | SENIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | NORFOLK, NE
Benjamin most recently interned with DLR Group in Omaha, serving as a mechanical engineering intern. Previously, as an intern with Nucor Buildings Group, he gained experience in project coordination and design. Benjamin’s Community Action Project team partnered with Arbor Bank to conduct research on the college-age demographic and assess landscapes related to their industry including artificial intelligence. Benjamin has served as vice president of Student Affairs of Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha (NESCO), as well as a senator for the College of Engineering in the Student Government Association of UNO. He is skilled in Revit, Tekla, and AutoCAD. His career interests include structural and acoustic design, urban planning and sustainability, and affordable housing solutions. After graduation, Benjamin plans to return to the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction to pursue his master’s in architectural engineering. He plans to remain with DLR Group and eventually earn his professional engineering license in Nebraska.
EVAN CLEMENT | SENIOR | BIOLOGY | ELKHORN, NE
Evan currently serves as a veterinary assistant at Rockbrook Animal Clinic in Omaha, where he is gaining extensive experience in animal care. As an intern with Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Evan was responsible for feeding and caring for injured and orphaned animals, including raccoons, Virginia opossums, songbirds, and various other native wildlife. His Community Action Project team recently partnered with Nebraska Enterprise Fund to create informational materials for first-time entrepreneurs. After graduation, Evan plans to attend veterinary school and is interested in a career in exotic veterinary medicine.
TEMI DAVIES | SENIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Temi works with the visualization team at the Davis Global Center, creating various visual assets for use in medical simulations and educational implementations. He also worked as a Design Studio intern, where he partnered with Clearing House to design technical solutions connecting people with internship opportunities for companies in the Omaha area. While working as a NSIN X-Force Fellow, Temi provided Air Force base assistance. For their Community Action Project, Temi and his team assisted the Nebraska Enterprise Fund in creating informational materials for first-time entrepreneurs. They prepared infographic handouts for NEF to distribute. After graduation, Temi plans to enter the workforce in a field related to visuals such as UI/UX Design or animation.
LOGAN DUNLOP | SENIOR | CYBERSECURITY | OMAHA, NE
Logan has held two internships with Mutual of Omaha. As a security application development intern, he focused on Teradata application development and IdentityIQ application maintenance. Then, as a perimeter security intern, he worked on firewall maintenance, URL categorization, and filter maintenance. He has experience with Java, C, Assembly, SQL, Swift, and HTML. Logan is a leader in his Community Action Project with Arbor Bank, where he informed the senior leadership of the bank on best practices related to artificial intelligence. Logan is interested in exploring cybersecurity career areas, including government work and privacy and information security. After graduation, Logan plans to work at Mutual of Omaha, pursuing his master’s in cybersecurity alongside his work.
KATIE FREY | SENIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | DAWSON, NE
Most recently, Katie worked as a mechanical intern with HDR in Omaha. During her previous internship with Branch Pattern, Katie performed engineering calculations, assisted with mechanical and electrical designs, and attended site visits. Her Community Action Project team created a series of videos explaining technology concepts for RISE, a prison re-entry program that equips incarcerated individuals with skills needed for societal re-entry. Katie has served as chair of the Student Affairs Committee of the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee (AESLAC), is a member of Women in Engineering (WIE), and is a Dean’s Leader for the College of Engineering. Katie is skilled in Revit, Excel, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Trace. She is interested in a career in building system design and is passionate about sustainability and people-centered design. After graduation, Katie is pursuing a master’s in architectural engineering and will continue her work as an intern at HDR.
REECE FUCHS | SENIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | LINCOLN, NE
Reese recently interned with Olsson, where he was involved in mechanical and electrical projects. He previously designed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for QuikTrip Convenience Stores and helped conduct a study for lighting efficiency for the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu while working as an intern with Hoss and Brown Engineers. As an estimation intern for Ayars & Ayars, Reece sourced specialized equipment and prepared scope documents for subcontractors. For a Community Action Project, Reece’s team created an internship connection program application for Arbor Bank. Reece serves as a student mentor for incoming architectural engineering students at UNO and is a member of Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha (NESCO), as well as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Reece is proficient in REVIT and AutoCAD and can utilize several functions within Revu Bluebeam. His career interests include architectural engineering, with an emphasis on designing efficient building systems to help the country transition to a greener economy. After graduation, Reece plans on continuing his work with Olsson, where he is a member of the Omaha Mechanical Team.
IAN FUELBERTH | SENIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Ian is currently creating a prototype video game with a team of independent game designers. While working as a software development intern at Quantum Workplace, he created a pipeline for training machine learning models and deploying them at batch endpoints. At a previous internship with Werner Enterprises, Ian developed the location and customer feedback pages in the Drive Werner Pro app. While working as a Scott Scholars Design Studio intern, Ian used the design thinking process to create a prototype Swift application to help match housinginsecure individuals with resources. At Fiserv as a technical intern, he analyzed Interactive Voice Response system feedback data in order to improve overall experience. Ian and his Community Action Project team partnered with Nebraska Enterprise Fund to ideate on internal process improvements and create an app prototype that would allow NEF employees and clients to communicate and access data more easily. He has programming experience with Java, C#, HTML, .NET, Swift, Angular/Ionic, Blender, and Unity3D. Ian’s career interests include software development, artificial intelligence, and game design. Upon graduation, Ian plans to be a software developer.
BEDE FULTON | SENIOR | MATHEMATICS & COMPUTER SCIENCE | LINCOLN, NE
Most recently, Bede worked as a software engineer intern with Werner Enterprises, where he developed and improved features for Drive Werner Pro, an internal application used by drivers. Previously, as an intern with X-Force Fellowship, Bede helped create an app for the U.S. Marine Corps that provided a consolidated database filled with information on seaports and airports across the globe. His Community Action Project team has supported Arbor Bank by developing an internship matching platform and performing market and industry research. Bede is skilled in Java, HTML, C#, Ionic and Angular Frameworks, and Swift. He is involved in many high-level singing groups across the University of Nebraska, as well as at the Newman Center. Bede is interested in a career in software development, business, or data science. After graduating, Bede plans to work as a software engineer/developer for a year and then continue his education and study law.
RYAN GAUGHEN | SENIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE | CEDAR BLUFFS, NE
As an IT technician with Cambium Data, Ryan assists with ongoing projects and resolves customer tickets. Ryan’s Community Action Project team has worked with Arbor Bank to create a platform that will connect high school students to job opportunities and has facilitated several targeted research efforts to help inform the organization’s initiatives. Ryan is skilled in Java and assembly coding, Cisco IP phone management, Google Admin, Microsoft Partner Center management, and he has moderate computer hardware knowledge. His career interests include information technology, audio engineering, telecommunication, and computer hardware. After graduation, Ryan plans to continue his work with Cambium Data.
SOLANA HONDA | SENIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | LINCOLN, NE
Solana is currently working at Clark & Enersen as a mechanical engineering intern, where she designs mechanical systems, selects equipment, and completes load calculations for a dental education facility, golf club, and various K-12 schools across the Midwest. She also recently received her LEED Green Associate accreditation, which focuses on green building practices in the building and construction industry. Previously, Solana was a project management intern for White Lotus Group where she coordinated the punch list for the Hotel Deco Renovation project in downtown Omaha. She has also worked as an electrical engineering intern with Specialized Engineering Solutions, where she helped design electrical, lighting, and telecommunication systems for various projects across the United States. Solana has also served as the vice president of the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee (AESLAC) and as the recruitment chair of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). After graduation, Solana plans to complete a master’s in architectural engineering.
NOA JURGENS | SENIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE | BENNET, NE
Noa recently served as an information technology intern at Mutual of Omaha. Previously, Noa interned with the XForce Fellowship and worked on a project for the Defense Technical Information Center in a data science and software development role. She has also worked with the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as an application developer. For their Community Action Project, her team partnered with RISE, an organization helping current inmates reenter the workforce. They created a packet of start-up business information to help participants pitch their business ideas at graduation. Noa plans to pursue a career in artificial intelligence. She hopes to create technology that will be beneficial in day-to-day life and the medical field. After graduation, Noa will be working at Mutual of Omaha as an application developer.
JONATHON KELLER | SENIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
In Jon’s latest internship at HDR, he worked on calculations and drafting in the structural engineering department. Jon previously interned with KPE Architecture Engineering Forensics, where he was tasked with creating structural detail viewports, drafting MEP and architectural plans, and performing on-site forensic analyses. He first instituted his structural and construction background working as a framer for KRT Construction. Jon and his Community Action Project team supported RISE, a re-entry program for incarcerated individuals, by creating educational materials and video tutorials. At UNO, he is involved in student government in the College of Engineering with the Nebraska Engineering Student Council of Omaha (NESCO). Jon is an Eagle Scout as well. Jon’s career goal is to work for a design firm specializing in structural engineering. His plans after graduation are to develop his experience as an engineer-in-training (EIT), as well as to receive certification as a licensed professional engineer and structural engineer.
AEDAN LEAHY | SENIOR | IT INNOVATION | OMAHA, NE
Aedan currently works in the Creative Production Lab at UNO’s Criss Library, where he assists customers with their projects and resolves software and hardware issues. He also works on his capstone project titled “The Undesirables,” a gamified simulation of poverty that aims to shift public perception of unhoused individuals in America. Aedan’s non-profit experience includes partnering with RISE, a program that provides re-entry support to incarcerated individuals. In this Community Action Project, his team collected and compiled business start-up information that program participants can access as they work toward their post-graduation goals. His career interests include software development, interactive media, graphic design, and other art-based fields. Aedan also partnered with Smart Gen Society, a non-profit that aims to promote the safe use of technology for upcoming generations of students and teachers alike. After graduation, Aedan plans to work in computer science, specializing in practical simulations and the stylistic implementation of functional design.
JARRET LINSCOTT | SENIOR | ECONOMICS & BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | LINCOLN, NE
Most recently, Jarret served as an accounting intern at EAD in Omaha, where he was responsible for tasks related to project costs, accounts payable, accounts receivable, contract administration, and the general ledger. Jarret’s Community Action Project team partnered with Arbor Bank to develop an application for local high schools that helps them find internships and other career opportunities. For this project, Jarret was part of the programming team and was responsible for helping with the application’s UI design. After graduation, Jarret will pursue a career as a certified public accountant (CPA).
THOMAS MALINE | SENIOR | AVIATION | OAKLAND, NE
Thomas interned with Skywerx Aviation in Blair, NE, where he worked as a line technician and gained hands-on aircraft experience. As a Community Action Project, his team worked with Arbor Bank to help them find solutions for their customer service needs and to assess innovative opportunities related to artificial intelligence and job satisfaction. On campus, Thomas was involved in the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the UNO Flight Team, and the UNO Maverick Maniacs. His career interests include becoming an airline captain or running his own charter plane company. Thomas graduated in the fall semester, and since then he has been working for Revv Aviation, where he educates students toward becoming certified pilots. Since graduating, he has added a CFI, CFII, and MEI to his certifications.
NATALIE MOORE | SENIOR | MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS | OMAHA, NE
Natalie recently worked at Skymira as an engineer, where she helped develop a new web interface for embedded device customization and created a connection between first-party software and third-party interfaces. Natalie previously interned with OpsCompass, serving as IT support and systems administrator and handling various user support tickets. As a Community Action Project, her team built an app to make it easier for Arbor Bank’s customers to submit feedback. Natalie is involved in the UNO Maker Club and Nullify Computer Security Group. She is skilled in software and hardware engineering, systems administration, RF theory, and reverse engineering. Her career interests include software engineering, systems administration, and security testing of embedded systems, especially two-way radios. Natalie is currently employed at Google, where she will continue in a full-time position following graduation.
REBEKAH NELSON | SENIOR | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | AUBURN, NE
As a project management intern with Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest, Rebekah supported several job sites and timelines. As a VDC intern with Commonwealth Electric, Rebekah assisted with several projects, such as SKM ARC Flash studies and lighting layouts. Rebekah’s Community Action Project with Smart Gen Society involved creating a peer-to-peer mentoring program that SGS could implement in schools to help educate students of all ages about technology usage. Rebekah is a member of NESCO, Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha. She is skilled in engineering software, including software SKM and CYMCAP. Her career interests include electrical engineering, with a focus on industrial electrical work and renewable energy. After graduation, Rebekah plans to work full-time with Commonwealth Electrical Company as an electrical engineer on their design/build team.
JOSHUA OARHE | SENIOR | MOLECULAR AND BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | ELKHORN, NE
Joshua recently served as a surgical and clinical simulation intern with iEXCEL at UNMC’s Davis Global Center where he aided in the facilitation of simulated clinical and surgical encounters for healthcare students. Previously, Joshua conducted research in Dr. Todd Wyatt’s lab on lung epithelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells and the effects of exposure to cigarette smoke and alcohol. As a Design Studio intern, he worked on prototype designs for their dental clinic to accommodate the needs of patients with intellectual, behavioral, and sensory-processing disorders. For their Community Action Project, Joshua’s team worked with Arbor Bank on several initiatives, including market research related to college-aged customers and the impact of artificial intelligence on the banking industry. Joshua is involved in the UNO Dance Marathon, Urban Health Opportunities Program, and Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. Following graduation, he will attend medical school at UNMC and pursue surgical medicine in either neurology or orthopedics.
AVA RECH | SENIOR | MATHEMATICS | BLAIR, NE
At her recent internship with Bass Pro Shops, Ava worked as a data analyst for their CLUB credit card program. In past summers, she worked with the City of Omaha as a Hummel day camp counselor. Ava participated in a Community Action Project with Arbor Bank, which involved her team developing a platform that connects high school students with internship, job shadowing, and networking opportunities. As a member of the communications team for this project, she communicated with faculty and staff at local high schools to learn what functionalities are important for an internship platform. At UNO, Ava is a member of Chi Omega and has served as a resident assistant and calculus teaching assistant and tutor. After graduation, Ava is interested in a career path that will allow her to combine her passions for math and business.
EVAN RILEY | SENIOR
| COMPUTER SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS | EAGLE, NE
Evan recently served as a software engineer intern at Garmin. During his senior year, he partnered with MIT and Union Pacific through the Innovation Ignited program. Previously, as a Scott Scholars Design Studio intern, he worked with a team to use design thinking to combat housing insecurity in Omaha. While interning with Fiserv, he analyzed call data from interactive voice response (IVR) using Excel and Python to find trends and formulate suggestions for improvement. At Werner Enterprises as a technical intern, he developed an in-app feature using Angular, Ionic, and .NET that allowed drivers to provide location feedback. He is skilled in Java, Angular, Ionic, HTML, C#, and Swift. Evan is interested in a career in computer science, particularly at its intersection with mathematics and artificial intelligence. After graduation, Evan plans to work toward his master’s in computer science, with a concentration in artificial intelligence.
CLAIRE SCHWEIKERT | SENIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE | PAPILLION, NE
Claire recently embarked on an immersive summer study abroad trip to Soria, Spain, where she experienced international hands-on work experience. She has also worked with Prairie STEM to redesign their data collection methods through STEM kits. As an undergraduate student researcher in Assistive Technology for Disabilities with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, she researched state-of-the-art Sign Language Recognition (SLR) technology and developed a prototype SLR application for use with smart glasses. She also interned with Fiserv, where she redesigned a legacy repository application for internal use. Her team’s Community Action Project involved providing Millwork Commons with ten innovative ideas for how to facilitate creative collisions and bring people together in their community. Her technical skillset includes Java, HTML, SCSS, Swift/Xcode, and Visual Studio Code, and she is proficient in Spanish. Claire will pursue a career in software and application development.
DIANNA SLEDGE | SENIOR | IT INNOVATION | OMAHA, NE
Dianna works as a year-round IT intern at Union Pacific, where she supports the CyberArk system for password and identity management. Earlier in her internship, Dianna conducted research to help determine a viable personal password manager for company-wide use and assisted in the development of a professional finance application. Dianna’s Community Action Project team partnered with Nebraska Enterprise Fund to create a template for sharing success stories and conducting research on the future environment, economic development, social interaction, and retail and merchandising climates in Nebraska. For her IT Innovation capstone project, Dianna is creating a supplemental learning-based app that combines an engaging gaming experience with the value of education. She is interested in career opportunities in computer science, cybersecurity, animation, and music.
GRACE TETSCHNER | SENIOR | CHEMISTRY (CONCENTRATION IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION) |
BENNINGTON,
NE
Grace currently conducts chemistry education research alongside Dr. Sachin Nedungadi to develop a Resonance Assessment. For this project, she serves as head writer and researcher and has created questions, administered tests, conducted student interviews, and analyzed data using Classical Test Theory and Rasch Analysis. Grace has worked with the prison re-entry program, RISE, for her team’s Community Action Project. Together they developed how-to videos focused on the specific technology issues RISE graduates sometimes face re-entering society, and Grace served as the lead video editor. Grace is a member of the NEA’s Aspiring Educators Program. Following graduation, Grace plans to attend graduate school and teach chemistry at the high school level.
KELSI WEILAGE | SENIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | MURRAY, NE
Kelsi recently worked with AE Design in Denver, CO as an electrical engineering and lighting design intern. Previously, while serving as a land surveying intern with E&A Consulting Group, Kelci performed field work on civil engineering, construction, and general surveying projects. Then, as an electrical engineering intern at Arup in Seattle, WA, she contributed to the design of building electrical systems on a variety of projects. As a Scott Scholar Design Studio intern, Kelsi developed an app to better understand housing insecurity in Omaha. Kelsi has served as the President of Membership for the Nebraska Engineering Student Council and is involved in the Engineering Ambassadors Network and Women in Engineering. Her Community Action Project team is partnered with Arbor Bank to conduct market and industry research. After graduation, Kelsi will complete her master’s in architectural engineering, after which she will pursue a career in architectural engineering, with a focus on electrical and lighting design.
ALLIE WILSON | SENIOR | BIOLOGY | VALLEY, NE
Allie recently participated in missionary work in Taiwan through Christian Missionaries. She has also worked as a student technician at Creighton Physical Therapy and as an intern with Global Friends, where she was focused on connecting and serving international students and employees. Allie’s Community Action Project team created a curriculum with worksheets and videos for practical technological skills for RISE, a prison re-entry program that provides support to incarcerated individuals. As a Design Studio intern, she partnered with the Munroe-Meyer Institute to create a personalized dental experience for neurodivergent patients. Allie is a member of Salt Company at UNO. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Allie will attend physical therapy school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
JUNIORS | CLASS OF 2025
BISHESH ADHIKARI | JUNIOR | CHEMISTRY | OMAHA, NE
With his Community Action Project team, Bishesh is developing a translation app for the Nebraska Medicine emergency department to help solve language barriers at check-in. Bishesh worked for the Department of Chemistry at UNO as a research assistant, where he helped design and build a 3D-printed absorbance spectrometer. Bishesh also served as a teen leader for the Nebraska Nepalese Society, where he organized fundraisers. His career goal is to become a pediatric dentist, eventually returning to Nepal to provide affordable dental care.
CARTER BREHM | JUNIOR | COMPUTER ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
In his most recent software development internship with Quantum Workplace, Carter was responsible for fullstack web development on a web application used by thousands of companies nationwide. He was previously a Scott Scholars Design Studio intern and developed solutions to help USSTRATCOM tackle outdated software systems. For his team’s Community Action Project, Carter was the main developer for a native iOS app created to communicate with and deliver curriculum to the Malone Center’s clients. Carter is familiar with several languages including C#, Java, and PHP. Additionally, he has experience with backend database management in SQL Server and MySQL, as well as frontend web development with common web frameworks. His career interests include software development, database management, and systems administration.
AVA DELAGARZA | JUNIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Most recently, Ava interned at the Kreck Observatory as a scientific software engineer. Ava also served as a paraprofessional for Omaha Public Schools where she gained a diverse range of in-classroom experiences. She previously interned with the Nebraska Defense Resource Corporation, where she conducted a research project in the cloud using machine learning to do predictive analysis. Her team’s Community Action Project supports the Malone Center with solutions for fundraising and member communication. Ava is proficient in many programming languages and computing in the Oracle Cloud, and she also has experience creating and teaching fundamental CS curricula. Ava is a member of UNO’s University Concert Band and Association for Computing Machinery Women (ACM-W). She is interested in a career in computer science education and research.
JP AURIT | JUNIOR | CIVIL ENGINEERING | ELKHORN, NE
JP most recently interned with Burns and McDonnell, serving as a structures intern. JP’s Community Action Project team worked with the Malone Center to create a mobile app and a new revenue system that would circumvent their dependence on third-party donations. At UNO, he is involved in Delta Chi Fraternity and is the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. JP is trained in AutoCAD and has experience using RISA-3D and Hilti Profis for structural modeling. He is interested in a career in civil engineering, specifically in the materials, traffic, or structural sectors.
SYDNEE
| JUNIOR | BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
Sydnee currently serves as a patient resource assistant at Nebraska Medicine. She is partnered with Prairie STEM for her Community Action Project. Most recently, her team met with lawmakers in Lincoln to advocate for STEM education funding in Nebraska. At UNO, Sydnee is involved in Chi Omega Sorority and the UNO Dance Marathon. After graduation, Sydnee hopes to pursue a career in healthcare.
TOMMY BONEBRAKE | JUNIOR | MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS | OMAHA, NE
Tommy participated in the 2023 Scott Scholars Design Studio Internship, leading his team through a complex project with the U.S. Department of the Navy. During his internship with the Nebraska Defense Research Corporation, Tommy conducted data research, integration, and analysis. For their Community Action Project, Tommy’s team worked with Prairie STEM to generate specific prototypes for new STEM kits, curriculum material for socio-emotional learning development, and multi-generational activities. Tommy is interested in a career designing and developing efficient information-related technologies and systems for residential use.
BELLA DONOVAN | JUNIOR | MATHEMATICS | GRETNA, NE
Most recently, Bella served as an IT intern at Conagra, where she developed automations to improve employee efficiency. Bella previously served as a 2022 Scott Scholars Design Studio intern and led a team tasked with developing a mobile application for the U.S. Department of Defense that allows Air Force pilots and maintainers to quickly perform basic math calculations and complex, common aviation calculations while in flight. For their Community Action Project, her team met with lawmakers in Lincoln to advocate for STEM education funding in Nebraska. Bella served as a member of the Scott Scholars Leadership Council, where she worked closely with other Scott Scholars to continuously improve the program. She is proficient in Python, TypeScript, HTML, Power BI, and UiPath. Bella is interested in a career in data analytics — discovering, interpreting, and communicating meaningful patterns in data, as well as applying data patterns for effective decision-making.
JULIA EHLERS | JUNIOR | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | LINCOLN, NE
Julia recently interned at NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab), a position earned by winning the Jump Into STEM competition, where she was able to expand on her interests in sustainability. As a mechanical engineering intern with Professional Engineering Consultants, Julia designed plumbing and HVAC systems and conducted site visits. Her Community Action Project team supports the Malone Center by creating an app for client communication and developing funding solutions. At UNO, she is on the Activities Committee for Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee (AESLAC). Julia also works in the UNO Math Lab and math classrooms to support student learning. She has basic knowledge of Python, Swift, and Autodesk Revit. Her career interests include mechanical or electrical areas of architectural engineering, and she would like to focus on environmentally sustainable engineering. After graduation, she would like to build and design tiny houses or sustainable development to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis.
CLARE EUTENEUER | JUNIOR | MOLECULAR AND BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
Clare currently works as a licensed CNA at QLI, where she assists with traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Previously, Clare conducted research in Dr. Paul Davis’ Molecular Parasitology Lab, a translational biomedical research laboratory on UNO’s campus. Her Community Action Project team is partnered with Nebraska Medicine to overcome language barriers and solve translation issues in the emergency department. She also founded a refugee empowerment club that partnered with Restoring Dignity to coordinate furniture donations for refugee homes. She participates in intramural sports and the Pre-Health Club at UNO. Clare is currently the Vice President of the Women in STEM club on campus. Following graduation, Clare plans to attend medical school.
BAYSA
BRENDAN FALKINBURG | JUNIOR | BIOINFORMATICS | BENNINGTON, NE
Most recently, Brendan interned at Fiserv, gaining valuable project-based experience in an IT environment. Brendan previously worked in the Molecular Parasitology Lab under Dr. Paul Davis. Brendan is partnered with Prairie STEM for his Community Action Project, where students split into teams to tackle the various challenges faced by Prairie STEM. This work generated specific prototypes and curriculum for new STEM kits. Brendan is proficient in Java, is a certified nursing assistant (CNA), and is Basic Life Support (BLS) certified. He looks forward to a career in innovative computer science.
ETHAN FUNKE | JUNIOR | BIOINFORMATICS |
Ethan recently participated in the Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program through UNMC. As a visiting scholar for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at UNMC, Ethan conducted research on host cell interactions with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii under Dr. Leonardo da Silva Augusto. His team is partnered with Nebraska Medicine for their Community Action Project, working to solve language barrier issues in the emergency department at UNMC before, during, and after treatment. Ethan also assisted with coding the Automated Precheck Program (APP), a simple way to translate a patient’s needs and quickly connect them to care. Ethan is proficient in HTML5, CSS, and Excel, and has extensive laboratory experience. He plans to pursue a career in basic and translational medical research, with an emphasis on pathology and drug discovery.
WILLIAM HARR | JUNIOR | COMPUTER SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS | OMAHA, NE
In a recent data science and analytics internship with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Will was responsible for the analysis of genome sequence data. Will is proficient in AVR assembly as well as Python, C, and R coding languages. For his Community Action Project, Will was partnered with Prairie STEM, where his team worked to generate specific prototypes for new STEM kits, curriculum material for socio-emotional learning development, and multi-generational activities. He is interested in career opportunities involving optimization, artificial intelligence, and engineering.
TOBY HEINEMANN
| JUNIOR | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING |
Toby recently served as an embedded systems engineer intern at Garmin. As a telecom engineer at Union Pacific, he learned about large-scale network design and data transmission technology. For his Community Action Project, Toby partnered with Smart Gen Society to research and analyze the organization’s processes for handling secure data. At UNO, Toby is involved in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha. He is skilled in HTML and C programming and is proficient in Windows and Mac Operating Systems, as well as Multisim and Pathloss software. Toby is interested in a career in electrical engineering, specifically in the area of wireless communication. He would like to design and upgrade navigation systems for aircraft and spacecraft.
XAVIER HERMAN | JUNIOR | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | CLARKS, NE
Xavier recently interned at Garmin, serving as an embedded systems engineer intern. At his previous internship with Union Pacific, Xavier performed rectifier efficiency analysis. His Community Action Project with Nebraska Medicine seeks to improve language barriers with a translating app, which Xavier played a key role in programming. Xavier is skilled in Fusion 360, EAGLE CAD and PCB design, C/C++, and Swift programming. His career interests include electrical engineering, with a focus on power generation and electronic circuits.
DAVIS HILL | JUNIOR | CIVIL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
Recently, Davis interned at Kiewit and gained job site experience. At UNO, he served as secretary for the UNO Rugby Club and also participates in Latinos in STEM. While participating in the Scott Scholars Design Studio Internship, Davis and his team worked with USSTRATCOM to design solutions for system updates. He has served as a research assistant under Dr. Hu in the concrete lab, working with 3D printing, Biochar, and UHPC (Ultra High Performance Concrete). For his Community Action Project, Davis partnered with Prairie STEM and helped prototype innovative youth STEM kits. Davis is interested in a career in civil engineering with a focus in water resources and concrete.
STONE HOFFMANN | JUNIOR | CIVIL ENGINEERING |
Stone served as a Scott Scholar Design Studio intern and partnered with the National Security Innovation Network to improve their process for upgrading equipment. Through his Community Action Project, he also supported the Malone Center’s Maternal Wellness program with securing sustainable funding. As an Eagle Scout, Stone led a project to expand a non-profit’s food garden by constructing a swale and renovating their storage. He is also a leader of a Bible study group and Homeschool Teen Serve. His career interests include water resources engineering, with a goal of utilizing modern engineering to provide underserved communities access to clean water.
BELLA MADSEN | JUNIOR | BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
Bella is a member of SustainUNO and served as a research assistant in the Wong Lab, where she prepared and ran various experiments using Zantiks units, analyzed videos using Boris, interpreted data, and presented findings. She is also involved in the University Honors Program and the Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc. as the community service chair. Bella has interned as a teaching assistant for Springville Elementary, where she led small group tutoring sessions. Bella is skilled in Ethovision, Zantiks, PCR, gel electrophoresis, fish handling and care, and pipetting. She plans to become a medical researcher to improve women’s healthcare.
MICHAEL MALINE
| JUNIOR | COMPUTER ENGINEERING | OAKLAND, NE
In his most recent internship with IT Solutions, Michael worked with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), serving the water and waste industry sectors in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is interested in a career in computer engineering, with a focus on software and system management.
ABIGAIL MEIER | JUNIOR | BIOMECHANICS | PIERCE, NE
Abigail is a member of the Pre-Health Club and volunteers with stroke and gait research through the biomechanics program under Dr. Brian Knarr. As part of her team’s Community Action Project, Abigail has partnered with Nebraska Medicine to address translation and language barriers in the emergency department. Most recently, she helped start a Women in STEM undergraduate club on UNO’s campus and tutors in the Math Science Learning Center. She is gaining experience in the medical field as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) through employment at QLI and plans to attend medical school following graduation.
KYLEIGH MURRAY | JUNIOR | CHEMISTRY | LINCOLN, NE
Kyleigh served as a nuclear technical intern at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Kyleigh’s Community Action Project team supported the Malone Center by designing an app that improved communication with their members by reworking their social media, web presence, and fundraising efforts. At UNO, she is the social media officer for the Philosophy Club and is a member of the Chemistry Club. As a member of the Girl Scouts, Kyleigh promoted water conservation by helping to build rain barrels and was awarded the Silver Award. Kyleigh is proficient in the programming language Python. Her career interests include chemistry and radiochemistry.
JADEN NIENHUESER | JUNIOR | MOLECULAR AND BIOMEDICAL | JUNIATA, NE
Jaden recently participated in the INBRE program through UNMC, conducting critical biomedical research. As an intern with the UNO STEM Trail Center, Jaden learned about STEM education and conducted research in the Denton Immunobiology Lab. One of his research projects involved the effectiveness of certain agonists on the expression of HIV and the efficacy of NK cell killing. For their Community Action Project, Jaden’s team worked to provide the Malone Center with a new source of income, a client database, and ways to expand the outreach of the Maternal Wellness program, which seeks to end the Black maternal health crisis and provide agency to women of color in the delivery room. Jaden will pursue a career in healthcare, serving queer, trans, and other underrepresented groups, and researching topics such as STD testing, HIV/AIDS, immunobiology, and retroviruses.
JACKSON PETRZILKA | JUNIOR | NEUROSCIENCE |
Working under Dr. Madhav Bandatmakur at Boys Town National Research Hospital, Jackson recently conducted a pediatric neuroscience study investigating the effectiveness of anti-CGRP treatment on migraines in juveniles. Jackson partnered with Nebraska Medicine for his Community Action Project with a team goal of not only streamlining language translation services for hospitals, but creating a better experience for both provider and patient when translation services are required. Jackson provided code for the Automated Precheck Program (APP) app, a simple way to translate a patient’s need and quickly connect them to care. Jackson previously achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He is interested in a career in research, particularly involving neuroscience and brain-computer interfaces, where he hopes to be a pioneer in the field.
ESTHER SAMUEL | JUNIOR | MOLECULAR AND BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | ELKHORN, NE
Esther currently serves as a medical scribe at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. As an intern with the Scott Scholar Design Studio, Esther and her team were tasked with solving language barrier challenges for patients and physicians at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Esther has continued this work for her Community Action Project and hopes to generate solutions for patient wait time with her team. She is involved with the Pre-Health Professionals Club at UNO and is a small group leader for Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. Esther plans to attend medical school to become a physician of obstetrics and gynecology.
MAX
| JUNIOR | CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
As an intern at Boyd Jones, Max assisted superintendents on job sites and was trained as a project engineer. He looks forward to being hired full-time for this role upon graduation. For his Community Action Project, Max partnered with Prairie STEM, where his team helped generate specific prototypes for new STEM kits, curriculum material for socio-emotional learning development, and multi-generational activities. His career interests include construction engineering, with a focus on innovative and sustainable building designs.
JACKSON WARD | JUNIOR | PHYSICS | GRETNA, NE
Jackson is a UNO student ambassador, welcoming new and prospective students to campus. As a 2022 Scott Scholar Design Studio intern, Jackson and his team developed a prototype application for the the iEXCEL program at UNMC’s Davis Global Center that could streamline scheduling for medical education and training labs. After graduation, Jackson’s career goal is to teach physics at the high school or college level.
TRISTAN WESTON | JUNIOR | AVIATION | HASTINGS, NE
Tristan worked at Skywerx Aviation, where he participated in marketing and a variety of aviation-related duties. As a Scott Scholar, Tristan has enjoyed working on his team’s Community Action Project with the Malone Center, often taking on the tasks of conducting empathy interviews and preparing and delivering presentations. Tristan is currently an instrument rated private pilot with 170 hours. He has many aviation-related career goals, including pursuing a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate through a commercial airline and serving as a missionary pilot specialist to provide services to remote areas.
NOLAN WILLIAMS | JUNIOR | MOLECULAR AND BIOMEDICAL CHEMISTRY | OMAHA, NE
As a medical scribe, Nolan works directly with healthcare providers to write medical charts and assist with high workloads. Nolan participated in hematology and oncology medical research through UNMC’s Eppley Cancer Institute in Dr. Dalia Elgamal’s lab, where he examined the effects of a hypoxic tumor micro-environment on various treatments for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). His Community Action Project team works with the Malone Center, which provides pre- and post-natal care for BIPOC mothers in Lincoln, to streamline their methods and efficacy of the distribution of care and resources to their partnering families. Nolan has served as safety officer for the UNO Soccer Club, secretary for the UNO Botanical Society, and is a member of the Pre-Health Professionals Club and Chemistry Club. His career interests include medicine, with a focus on anesthesiology. He hopes to contribute to the medical community by conducting life-changing medical research.
SOPHOMORES | CLASS OF 2026
NICHOLAS ARMSTRONG | SOPHOMORE | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | ELKHORN, NE
Nicholas most recently worked as a research assistant for the Davis Lab screening novel compounds for bacteria. In high school, he was a member of the State Olympic Development Program, band, National Honor Society, and robotics and soccer team captain. Nicholas has also served as an active volunteer for club soccer camps, ReStore Omaha, and Food Bank for the Heartland. Nicholas is interested in a career in biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine.
ISABELLE WEBER
| JUNIOR | NEUROSCIENCE & MOLECULAR AND BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | LINCOLN, NE
Most recently, Isabelle participated in biomedical research related to cancer biology and genetics through UNMC’s INBRE program. She has also assisted with research in Dr. Denton’s immunobiology lab, where she has studied things like the immune system’s ability to recognize and kill a target cell and a cell’s readiness to fight an infection. Isabelle served as president of the Students Together Against Cancer Club, leading fundraising events for cancer patients throughout Nebraska, and as the secretary for the UNO Pre-Health Professionals Club. A current patient attendant at Nebraska Medicine, Isabelle is interested in a career in the medical field, in either gerontology or neurology.
ERIN WEIDENHAMER
| JUNIOR | ECONOMICS | OMAHA, NE
Erin serves as a UNO student ambassador, assisting with campus visits and new student orientation. Erin’s internship at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering involved document intake, information and data review, and research. For her Community Action Project, Erin partnered with Prairie STEM, where she worked with her team to deliver innovative ideas for STEM kits and curriculum. Upon graduation, Erin is hoping to explore a career in the field of economics.
JUSTIN BARTELS | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER SCIENCE | BENNINGTON, NE
Justin recently worked as a technology intern with Fiserv. Previously as a Design Studio intern, his team developed a mobile application for the U.S. Department of Defense that allows Air Force pilots to quickly perform complex aeronautical and mathematical calculations while in flight. In high school, Justin was a member of concert, pep, and marching band, where he was a drum major, in addition to being concert choir president. Justin ran cross country as the team’s co-captain and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team. He is interested in a career in app development, data science, machine learning, or cybersecurity.
HALEY BATES | SOPHOMORE | BIOLOGY | MILFORD, NE
Recently, Haley participated in the Tulalip Tribal Wildlife Research and Conservation Internship through the University of Washington relocating “problem” beavers to new areas in order to restore salmon habitats. She also recently took part in the Doris Duke Conservation Scholar Program also through UW, where she completed field research and studied ethical conservation. In high school, Haley was involved with Arts in Motion Ballroom Dance, Spanish Club, Envirothon, and drama. Haley also served on National Honors Society and in the Nebraska Wildlife Rehab Science Academy. Haley will pursue a career in conservation research after earning her degree.
SLADOVNIK
SOPHIA BIRCH | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
Sophia most recently worked with Fiserv as a web development intern. Previously, she served as a Scott Scholars Design Studio intern where her team developed a mobile app prototype for the U.S. Department of Defense that allows Air Force pilots to quickly perform complex aeronautical and mathematical calculations while in flight. In high school, Sophia held numerous leadership roles in Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and was also involved in theater, band, Art Club, Spanish Club, and Key Club. She also served as a volunteer for the Elementary Afterschool Science Club. Sophia plans to pursue a career in computer or software engineering.
PEYTON BROOKING | SOPHOMORE | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
Peyton recently became a certified phlebotomist tech, having completed curriculum and clinicals through Nebraska Methodist College. She also has her own business teaching piano lessons, where she enjoys helping her students grow and watching them perform in recitals. Peyton is involved in a local non-profit pediatric cancer organization serving cancer patients and their families, where she organizes fundraising events. She was elected to the position of outreach director during her service, where she focused on social media marketing, publishing online articles, and personally communicating with families. After graduation, Peyton plans to attend medical school and participate in research. She is interested in a career in radiology or orthopedic medicine.
MARC FAYAD | SOPHOMORE | CYBER SECURITY | OMAHA, NE
Marc most recently worked as a cyber security intern, where he helped transition his company to a new Identity Access Management application, improving the process of assigning and removing employee permissions. In Marc’s previous role as a distributed application development intern at Fiserv, he was responsible for coding, testing, and supporting application software. In high school, Marc participated in wrestling and track & field as a varsity leader. He also competed in cross country, soccer, and choir. Marc was a member of the Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He volunteered for Camp Virtus et Veritas, the VSP Club, the Heart Ministry Center, and the Sienna Francis House. Marc is interested in a career in information security analytics.
ANTONIO
GARCIA
| SOPHOMORE | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
Antonio recently worked at HDR as a building information modeling (BIM) intern. He previously served as a Design Studio intern where he worked on a team to develop a mobile aviation calculation application for the U.S. Department of Defense. In high school, Antonio worked with the Senior Class Board to prepare events such as prom and homecoming. He was also involved with the community organization Partnership 4 Kids, where he served as a mentor for K-12 Omaha students. Antonio plans to work in the architectural engineering field and has aspirations of becoming an engineering professor.
ELIJAH GNUSE | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER SCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Elijah recently interned with Fiserv in an information technology and programming-focused role. Before starting college at UNO, Elijah lived with his family in Costa Rica where they served as missionaries. He completed online high school and worked diligently to explore coding languages, becoming highly skilled in Python, C++, and JavaScript. After graduation, he will pursue a career in computer science and programming.
JAGGER HASTINGS | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER SCIENCE | WATERLOO, NE
Jagger recently worked in an information technology role at TSL Companies. In high school, Jagger participated in the Academic Decathlon, National Honor Society, track & field, cross country, and tennis. He has served in various volunteer roles through the Siena Francis house, St. Patrick’s Elkhorn, and Mount Michael. After graduation, he will pursue a career in computer science and video game development.
PRESTON HIGGINBOTHAM | SOPHOMORE | BIOLOGY | PAPILLION, NE
Most recently, Preston worked as a rehab aide with OrthoNebraska, where he was involved in physical therapy patient care. In high school, Preston served as the team captain for the basketball team and the CyberPatriot team. Additionally, Preston was involved with service projects, running the scoreboard, volunteering in grade school classrooms, and coaching various youth basketball camps. Preston is interested in a career in orthopedic and sports medicine.
KARTER JEFFREY | SOPHOMORE | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | LINCOLN, NE
As a field/office engineering intern with Kiewit’s Southeast District, Karter worked on a job site at Orlando International Airport. In high school, Karter was a member of the varsity soccer team, as well as National Honor Society. Karter was also involved with the Salvation Army, where he volunteered ringing bells for donations, and with the Peoples City Mission, where he made tie blankets. Karter is interested in a career in architectural engineering and hopes to specialize in building skyscrapers and sports arenas for large general contractors and other third party construction management companies, hopefully in the Midwest and Southern parts of the United States.
ABIGAIL
KLINE
| SOPHOMORE | CHEMISTRY | OMAHA, NE
During her time at UNO, Abigail has been involved in Chem Club, Pre-Health Professionals Club, worship team, and children’s ministry at Lifegate Church. While in high school, she served as the president of National Honor Society and was a freshman mentor with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). Abigail was also a section leader of show choir and participated in barbershop and jazz choirs. After graduation, Abigail plans to attend PA school at UNMC.
EVIE HARVEY | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER SCIENCE | PAPILLION, NE
Evie recently worked as a DevOps intern with Spreetail, where she used skills gained from her experience coding in a variety of programming languages, 3D art and visual effects, and creating and flying custom-built racing drones. In high school, Evie was a member of the Leadership in Media Academy, where she managed, operated, and repaired broadcasting machines. As a videoboard operator, Evie managed content creation for the school district’s video scoreboards. She also competed on a CyberPatriot team in Linux challenges and contributed custom tools for the team’s use. Evie is interested in a career in programming low-level firmware for open-source hardware, machine learning, and data science research.
MICHAEL LEBLANC | SOPHOMORE | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | PAPILLION, NE
Michael recently worked at NDRC, where he saw firsthand how CS and engineering intersect. In high school, Michael participated in cross country and intramural sports. He was also involved with campus ministry, student council, robotics, and the Photo/Film Club. In addition, Michael volunteered with Operation Others, was a member of the Boy Scouts, and participated in church projects. He plans to pursue a career in architectural engineering with a reputable firm or organization that promotes the further development of industry.
ALAINA LORKOVIC | SOPHOMORE | BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
Alaina recently worked as a patient resource assistant at Nebraska Medicine. In high school, she was a member of the tennis team, student council, National Honor Society, and DECA, where she served as the president. Through the St. Robert Bellarmine Youth Group, Alaina assisted with Vacation Bible School as a camp counselor and went on several mission trips to the Walthill Native American Reservation. Post graduation, Alaina hopes to become a pediatrician and engage in service work in underprivileged nations.
COLE MACK | SOPHOMORE | CHEMISTRY | LA VISTA, NE
In high school, Cole participated in science competitions, often serving in leadership roles. He was also a member of student council and the Quizbowl team, in addition to working on media productions. Cole is interested in a career in chemistry, with a focus in food science.
JACK RYGG | SOPHOMORE | IT INNOVATION | OMAHA, NE
Recently, Jack served as an innovation intern at Kiewit. He also works on metaverse research in an on-campus lab for the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE). In high school, Jack was a member of the robotics team, soccer team, and was captain of his TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) group. In addition, Jack was involved with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and he volunteered for Radio Talking Book as a reader for the blind. Jack is interested in a career in IT, technological innovation, and programming.
JOHN MENTGEN | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER ENGINEERING + MUSIC (CONCENTRATION IN JAZZ STUDIES) | SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
John recently worked at the Davis Global Center, where he developed new virtual and augmented reality applications to enhance medical students’ understanding of various health concepts. He previously served as a virtual reality intern at UNMC. In high school, John was involved in band as the percussion section leader and was an active leader in Math Club. In addition, he was involved in speech team, choir, golf, and FCA. John started a 501c3 charity called Singing for Supper, where he performed at various venues in the community and raised money for food insecurity programs. As of 2022, John’s charity had raised over $10,000 toward fighting food insecurity in Scottsbluff, NE. John plans to pursue a career in virtual and augmented reality and hopes to develop new hardware and software to help create a more realistic virtual experience.
IAN MEYER | SOPHOMORE | MATHEMATICS + ECONOMICS + COMPUTER SCIENCE | LINCOLN, NE
At his recent bioinformatics internship with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Ian was involved in constructing a single-cell RNA sequencing pipeline to analyze cell transcriptors from lung epithelial tissue and conducted mathematics research. In high school, Ian was a two-time National Science Bowl qualifier and served as the Science Olympiad captain. Ian was also the Moore MATHCOUNTS Program head coach, where he prepared lessons and taught competition math to middle school students. Ian is interested in a career in academia, mathematical finance, applied mathematics, or data science.
GRANT PETERS | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER SCIENCE | ROGERS, NE
For the last two summers, Grant has worked for the NASCAR Legacy Motor Club doing data analytics and software development. He was one of the first 3 members of the Driver Optimization Department, using data to help make drivers more efficient and maximize the performance of their vehicles. He also built roughly five tools to assist in analyzing simulation data. He previously worked as a teller at Platte Valley Bank and as an American Red Cross Bloodmobile team member. In high school, Grant participated in speech, baseball, cross country, golf, Future Business Leaders of America, Quizbowl, and National Honor Society. Grant is interested in a career in software development or motorsports data analysis.
JOSSEN RINN | SOPHOMORE | CYBER SECURITY | OMAHA, NE
Jossen recently worked to build databases for Scoular’s Commodities Trading Department that identify patterns for corn and soybean futures. Previously, as an accounting data intern with National Indemnity Company, Jossen was responsible for reconciliation of files, data management, and writing for the accounting ledger daily. In high school, he served in various leadership roles in student council, National Honor Society, track, and cross country. Jossen also volunteered at the Youth Frontier Courage Retreat. After graduation, Jossen will pursue a career in forensic accounting and banking.
EBEN SAMUEL | SOPHOMORE | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY
| ELKHORN, NE
Eben recently served as a surgical and clinical simulation intern with iEXCEL at UNMC’s Davis Global Center where he aided in the facilitation of simulated clinical and surgical encounters for healthcare students. Eben participated in the Millard North High School marching band and concert band, where he was first chair. He also volunteered at Methodist Women’s Hospital and was active in the Good News Church youth band, worship team, and youth leadership. Post graduation, Eben plans to pursue a career in medicine and microbiology.
CHRIS SCHINZEL | SOPHOMORE |
BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
In high school, Chris was a member of National Honor Society, where he served as the treasurer. He also participated in robotics, cross country, track, and basketball. Chris served as a member of the Dundee Presbyterian Youth Group. Chris will pursue a career in the medical field following his graduation, as he is interested in the fusion of medicine, technology, and politics.
BENNETT SCHLIESSER | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER SCIENCE | BELLEVUE, NE
Bennett was a member of Quizbowl and the team captain for Academic Decathlon in high school. Additionally, he served on the leadership team for Mu Alpha Theta and was active in National Honor Society. Bennett participated in the Green Initiative and Key Club, and he volunteered regularly at the local Fraternal Order of Eagles chapter where he helped prepare fundraising dinners. Bennett plans to pursue a career in software development and game design.
MEGAN SCHUBERT | SOPHOMORE | CIVIL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
Megan has served as the vice president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Dean’s Leader for the College of Engineering (ASCE), and a member of the Women in Engineering Program. At her recent water quality and control internship with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Megan performed river and lake surveys, used engineering formulas and standards for analysis and calculations, utilized water resource modeling software, and prepared reports. In high school, Megan played clarinet in the concert band and participated in color guard, National Honor Society, and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Additionally, Megan is a competitive baton twirler through Sue’s Stepperettes. Megan plans to pursue a career in civil engineering, with a focus on highway design.
KEEGAN SHANAHAN | SOPHOMORE | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | LA VISTA, NE
Keegan now serves as the secretary of the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee (AESLAC). She recently also served as an electrical engineering intern with Specialized Engineering Solutions, where she had the opportunity to learn about electrical design in buildings and get exposure to the industry as a junior engineer. In high school, Keegan was a team leader for the Vex Robotics team and a member of the engineering team, which involved completing a community garden and nutritional education space. She serves as a mentor for the Gross High robotics team, where she helps new students learn about the basics of robotics, and volunteers with the nonprofit National Robotics Academy, Inc. Keegan is interested in a career in architectural engineering.
SHREEYA SHAPKOTA | SOPHOMORE | NEUROSCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Most recently, Shreeya worked as a 2024 Scott Scholar Design Studio intern, where her team was tasked to find innovative solutions to optimize the waiting room experience in the Emergency Department of Nebraska Medicine. She also served as a Residence Life & Social Activities Lead for the Summer Health Professionals Education Program (SHPEP) at UNMC, helping SHPEP scholars celebrate their successes and providing support in times of hardship. During the school year, Shreeya works as a patient attendant at Nebraska Medicine and serves as an essential supply director at the UNO Women and Gender Equity Center (WGEC). She also works as a student coach and judge for the Millard North High School forensics speech team. In high school, Shreeya was actively involved in many leadership positions within student organizations, including French Honors Society, Rotary International, and National Honors Society. After graduation, Shreeya hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career in healthcare, with particular interests in obstetrics & gynecology and addiction psychiatry.
HANNAH STONE | SOPHOMORE | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
In high school, Hannah was involved in band, where she played alto saxophone and served as a drum major. She was also a member of Quizbowl, winter guard, TEAMS, and National Honor Society. Additionally, Hannah spent time volunteering at Methodist Women’s Hospital. After graduation, Hannah plans to attend medical school to become a physician of obstetrics and gynecology.
BEN THOMAS | SOPHOMORE | CYBER SECURITY | OMAHA, NE
Most recently, Ben served as a cyber security intern at Werner Enterprises. In high school, Ben was a member of the varsity tennis team and participated in a technology internship. In addition, Ben is an active volunteer with Special Spaces. He plans to pursue a career in cyber security following graduation.
FRESHMAN | CLASS OF 2027
MEG AERNI | FRESHMAN | NEUROSCIENCE
| OMAHA, NE
Meg currently serves as a program coordinator at Compana Pet Brands where she runs their educational partnership, scholarship, and grant programs. Currently, she is involved in the UNO Honors Program. In high school, she participated in speech and debate, interned at Bridge Church, and volunteered at the Nebraska Humane Society. In the future, Meg is considering paths of either research, law school, or a career in business consulting.
BRYAN BENITEZ
| FRESHMAN | NEUROSCIENCE + MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | OMAHA,
NE
At Nebraska Medicine, Bryan prepares cadavers for medical students and residents to practice with prior to starting surgical rotations and/or residency. In the past, he also served as a team lead in the Design Studio internship where he and his team worked with UNeTech to build a pink noise app that helps older individuals align and fix their gait to a normal pace. At UNO, Bryan is involved in Student Government, Latinos in STEM, ALAS, and the Pre-Health Professionals Club. Bryan has an interest in neurodegenerative disorders and neuroinfectious diseases and aims to pursue an MD/PHD after he graduates.
CHARLIE BERRYMAN | FRESHMAN | BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
Charlie currently works in Dr. Paul Denton’s Immunobiology Lab, where he collaborates with the lab team to study the effectiveness of a certain type of immune system cell under the influence of different drugs. With the help of Dr. Denton, Charlie recently was awarded a FUSE grant for his research from the Office of Research and Creative Activity. At UNO, Charlie is involved in the UNO Symphonic Wind Ensemble, UNO Pep Band, UNO Jazz Band, the Intergenerational Orchestra of Omaha, and the INBRE Journal Club. In the future, Charlie is interested in pursuing medical school, with a career pathway in research.
CALLUM WARD | SOPHOMORE | COMPUTER SCIENCE | GOTHENBURG, NE
Most recently, Callum was employed as an engineering intern at the Bellevue location of Northrop Grumman, where he developed software in both backend and frontend environments and collaborated on projects with fellow interns and full-time employees. Callum also participated in the National Security Internship Program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory where he received UI and UX mentoring and worked on entry-level frontend software development. In high school, Callum served in the leadership group for band and participated in student council, One Act, speech, musicals, and Robotics Club. He also volunteered with the Sun Community Theatre and assisted with student council community clean-ups, local blood drives, and Meals on Wheels. Callum is interested in a career in software development and graphic design.
MASON WICKSTROM | SOPHOMORE | MATHEMATICS | ELKHORN, NE
Mason has most recently been employed at Northwestern Mutual as a wealth management intern, where he assisted wealth advisors with client segmentation and tracking. In high school, Mason was involved with unified bowling, cross country, Mixer Club, Math Club, and was a member of National Honor Society. He also created a program for the non-profit organization DREAM called the Puzzle Project, which introduced elementary school students to jigsaw puzzles and other non-electronic activities helping them develop organization skills, problemsolving techniques, and teamwork strategies at their after-school program. Mason is interested in a career in data analysis, computer science, or bioinformatics.
REID CHAPMAN | FRESHMAN | COMPUTER SCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Most recently, Reid participated in the MIT Innovation Ignited internship with the Scott Scholars Program. In the summer of 2023, he served as a technical intern in the Scott Scholars Design Studio Internship, where he worked with UNMC and UNeTech to develop solutions for challenges in business and research. In his spare time, Reid volunteers with My Brethren Charity, as well as the Catholic Charities of Omaha. After graduation, Reid plans to pursue a career as a software developer or law school, with a specialization in patent law in technology.
CLAIRE DENTON | FRESHMAN | BIOINFORMATICS | BELLEVUE, NE
Claire is a CNA at Hillcrest Health and Rehabilitation and served as a team lead for the Summer 2023 Design Studio internship. At UNO, Claire is involved in AFROTC. Her goal after graduation is to become a physician for the U.S. Air Force, hoping to help bridge the gap between computers and medicine.
NATHAN DULL | FRESHMAN | CHEMISTRY | OMAHA, NE
Nathan has had extensive job shadowing experience at Streck Pharmaceuticals, where he gained hands-on expertise in research and development pertaining to microbiology, hematology, and analytical chemistry. In high school, Nathan was a part of the football and golf teams and tutored for multiple math classes. After his time at UNO, he hopes to pursue medical school and become a physician, with specific interests in cardiology and anesthesiology.
JACK EHLERS | FRESHMAN | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING + MUSIC (CONCENTRATION IN PERCUSSION) | LINCOLN, NE
Jack works at NebDev as a software engineering intern for multiple projects, including the summer 2024 Design Studio internship. During his time in the summer 2023 Design Studio internship, Jack took charge of programming initiatives for Give Nebraska, creating an innovative app designed for outreach. In the future, Jack is interested in combining his passions of music and electrical engineering for his career.
LYNN FAYAD | FRESHMAN | BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
Lynn is currently interning at iExcel, where she works alongside the Davis Global Center to set up and manage simulations for medical students and residents to be able to grow in their learning. She was a camp leader for Gaudete Camp Organizer and Leader where she helped to create an interactive summer camp for children. She is a tutor for middle school students in math and English, and a family program childcare leader. In high school, Lynn ran cross country and held leadership roles in multiple organizations. She is currently exploring future career options and is most interested in a career in the healthcare field.
CALUM HELDT | FRESHMAN | MATHEMATICS | SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
Calum Heldt was a NASA Nebraska Space Grant recipient in the 2023-24 funding period, working on his research in Galois theory. He presented this research, titled “Artin-Schreier Presentations for Extensions of Degree p^5 and p^6 with Maximal class” at the 2024 Hopf Algebra and Galois Module Theory conference. Calum currently serves as the president of the UNO Math Club. He works part-time as a learning assistant, teaching assistant, and grader throughout the school year for various math classes taught at UNO. His goal is to attend graduate school and become a professor of mathematics.
MARSHALL HERMAN | FRESHMAN | BIOLOGY | BATTLE CREEK, NE
Marshall spent the last two semesters of his senior year shadowing at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, NE, where he observed eight different fields of physicians and their nursing staff. In high school, he was an active member of the National Honors Society, served as a Boys State Alternate, captained the cross country team, participated in Quizbowl, and dedicated his summers to volunteering for the Salvation Army. Marshall plans to attend medical school after graduation to become a physician. 
WELLS JOHNSON | FRESHMAN | BIOLOGY | OMAHA, NE
At UNMC, Wells works as a clinical/surgical simulations intern in the iEXCEL Program at the Davis Global Center, where he assists in facilitating simulations for UNMC residents and medical students. At UNO, Wells works in an undergraduate research lab where he studies primate molecular health. In high school, Wells held prominent leadership roles as the president of both the student council and National Honors Society. He also played various roles in the Medical Careers Club, Active Minds Club, and Olympus Club. Wells is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, in either dermatology or anesthesiology.
DOMINIC KOPERSKI | FRESHMAN | CIVIL ENGINEERING | LINCOLN, NE
At UNO, Dominic is involved with the Newman Center, and is a part of the Maverick Maniac group, supporting UNO athletes and teams. In high school, he was involved in choir as a section leader, as well as the dance captain for his show choir team. In the future, Dominic is interested in a career working on prosthetics or on surgical robots.
KOLTON KRALIK | FRESHMAN | PHYSICS | WEST POINT, NE
Most recently, Kolton worked as a 2024 Scott Scholars Design Studio intern, where his team worked on ways that the Millard Public Schools District can reimagine their curriculum in a way that is both STEM-oriented and compelling to numerous families throughout the area. In high school, Kolton attended Harvard Summer School, where he took classes on molecular oncology. He also founded his school’s cross country team. After graduation, Kolton is interested in becoming a theoretical physicist, with interests in string theory, quantum cosmology, and quantum gravity.
JENNA KRAMER | FRESHMAN | NEUROSCIENCE | LINCOLN, NE
Most recently, Jenna was a Scott Scholars Design Studio intern, where she practiced human-centered design thinking to develop an application to increase access to quality dental care in rural areas. At UNO, Jenna is involved in the Honors Program, is a member of the Sustainability Club, and works as a research assistant in a psychology lab on campus. After graduation, she plans on pursuing neuroscience research and attending graduate school. Her current research interests include addiction, trauma, and behavioral neuroscience.
KRISTEN LEE | FRESHMAN | NEUROSCIENCE | PAPILLION, NE
Most recently, Kristen participated in the Biomedical Sciences Academy at Midlands Hospital, where she shadowed cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. She has also worked in labs planning, conducting, and reporting on independent experiments. At UNO, she is a member of the Maverick Machine Pep Band. Kristen is interested in a career within the intersection of clinical neurology, neuroscience research, and hospital software development.
ELAINA MCHARGUE | FRESHMAN | BIOINFORMATICS | CENTRAL CITY, NE
Elaina has research experience working with the Python coding interface. At UNO, she is involved with the PC3 college ministry, and she volunteers in a children’s ministry affiliated with Providence Church. In the future, Elaina is interested in a field combining her interests in biology and data analysis.
TOM MELLIGER | FRESHMAN | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | COLUMBUS, NE
Tom is the chief drone pilot for B-52 Spraying where he pilots advanced drone technology to spray and distribute cover crops. He is proficient in coding and actively works on various robotics projects. At UNO, Tom is active in the Newman Center and IEEE on campus. In the future, Tom plans on pursuing a career in electrical engineering. 
JOEL MILLER | FRESHMAN | BIOLOGY
| MCCOOK, NE
Joel is an undergraduate research assistant at the Koraleski CAB Lab where he is engaged in hands-on research experiences. At UNO, he is a member of the Pep Band supporting various athletic teams during competition. In the future, Joel aspires to pursue a career focused on marine conservation.
KAITLYN PARKER | FRESHMAN | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY / MATHEMATICS | PAPILLION, NE
Most recently, Kaitlyn was a research assistant in Dr. Wong’s lab where she is trained in RNA probe synthesis, EthoVision analysis, fish handling and care, Zantiks behavioral analysis, PCR, and micropipetting. Kaitlyn was a summer 2023 Design Studio intern where she worked with Nebraska Medicine to design a technological solution using pink noise to improve patients’ gaits. On campus, she is a member of the Asian Student Union and Math Club. Kaitlyn is currently on the pre-medical path and is considering the pursuit of a PhD.
ISABELLA MITCHELL | FRESHMAN | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY
| OMAHA, NE
Currently, Isabella volunteers at UNMC in the Heart & Vascular Unit, as well as the Pediatric Unit. She was a former summer research intern at Creighton University in biomedical sciences, specializing in preventing aminoglycosidic hearing loss. At UNO, Isabella is a research assistant in Dr. Mark Schoenbeck’s plant biology lab and is involved in the Molecular and Biomedical Biology Journal Club. She is also an active member of the Scott Scholars Club “Let’s Talk About It.” Isabella is on the pre-medical track and is interested in a career in biomedical sciences with a focus on medical or environmental applications or obtaining a specialization in cardiology.
JANNY NGUYEN | FRESHMAN | COMPUTER SCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Most recently, Janny participated in the Apple Pathway Alliance, where she received guidance as she worked on various projects with Apple experts throughout all departments. In high school, Janny participated in Ralston High School’s Ambassadors Group, National Honor Society (NHS), and played the flute for concert band, pep band, and marching band. She was a member of Ralston High School’s Med Academy as a CNA and served as a teen lead for CHI Bergan Mercy Hospital’s volunteer program. In the future, Janny is interested in pursuing a career in computer science.
MOLLIE NIELSEN | FRESHMAN | BIOINFORMATICS | WEST POINT, NE
This past summer, Mollie participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program through UNMC. In high school, Mollie served as the president of FBLA, as well as a coach for a local sports team. She also volunteered for student council within both her school and church. After graduation, Mollie hopes to attend medical school.
JOSEPH NORMAN | FRESHMAN | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | ELKHORN, NE
Joe interns at UNMC iEXCEL as a surgical simulation worker, where he assists the full-time staff with cadaver labs and internal processes. He is involved in a Community Action Project with the Child Saving Institute which focuses on child-centered services and programs. Joe is interested in pursuing a career within the medical field and plans to attend medical school after graduation in pursuit of becoming a doctor.
LEO PECHOUS | FRESHMAN | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
Leo served as a design intern at DLR Group, where he was exposed to five building design. As a summer 2023 Scott Scholars Design Studio intern, Leo developed a framework for an app for the UNMC College of Dentistry utilizing the design thinking methodology to create a comprehensive report on improving access to dentistry care in rural areas. At UNO, Leo is on the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership Committee (AESLAC) and Freshman Engineering Student Council at Omaha (FrESCO). He is interested in learning more about and gaining experience in the building design industry. Leo is also interested in sustainability and transportation infrastructure.
CLAIRE PEOPLES | FRESHMAN | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
Claire participated in the 2023 Scott Scholars Design Studio Internship, where she partnered with the Department of Navy and PEO Digital to enhance their technical review process through human-centered design thinking. In high school, she served on the fundraising team for National Honor Society to prepare toiletry bags for the homeless. She is an active volunteer for Open Door Mission since 2018. Claire plans on working as an architectural engineer after graduation, with an emphasis on lighting design.
CLAIRE RICKERT | FRESHMAN | BIOLOGY | COLUMBUS, NE
Claire has a background as a receptionist and pharmacy clerk, helping her understand different prescription medications and their uses. Throughout high school, she participated in various organizations, holding leadership roles in student council and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). At UNO, she is a member of the Pre-Health Professionals Club, Molecular and Biomedical Biology Journal Club, and Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. Claire is planning on attending medical school post-graduation.
ANTHONY ROBINSON
| FRESHMAN | COMPUTER ENGINEERING | NEBRASKA CITY, NE
Anthony is an Innovation Ignited Fellow, where he is partnered with MIT and Union Pacific to implement artificial intelligence into their current business practices. Anthony was also recently the technical lead in his Summer 2023 Scott Scholars Design Studio Internship team, where he helped develop an application for NE Med and the UNO Biomechanics department to assist people’s gait using pink noise. He is a National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) research assistant working with cutting-edge technological innovations at UNO.
SAMUEL NORMAN | FRESHMAN | ECONOMICS | ELKHORN, NE
As a surgical simulation intern at UNMC’s iEXCEL program, Sam prepares surgical labs with cadavers, ensuring they’re set up for effective training. During sessions, he assists participants, offering guidance and troubleshooting to enhance their experience. Sam also collaborates with the surgical floor team to improve processes, aiming for greater organization and efficiency. His role is about ensuring quality learning experiences and optimizing operations in surgical education and practice. In the future, Sam plans to pursue a career in business and finance.
MARCUS SHERROD
| FRESHMAN | NEUROSCIENCE | OMAHA, NE
Marcus recently interned in the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he performed logistics and sorted the physical setup of national events, and interviewed and observed current program directors and leading infectious disease researchers. In this role, he also delivered a keynote speech on the ontology of believing, achieving, and succeeding. At UNO, he is a member of the “Let’s Talk About It” Club. After graduation, Marcus is planning on pursuing a career in biological neuroscience research with a focus on neuroinflammation, neurosystems, or neuropharmacology.
MAGGIE SLUSHER | FRESHMAN | COMPUTER SCIENCE | GRETNA, NE
Maggie has experience with Python, Java, and Linux systems. At UNO, she is a member of the Maverick Machine Pep Band. Following graduation, she hopes to obtain a hands-on security-related tech job.
BRIELLE UNSELD | FRESHMAN | MOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY | PIERCE, NE
At UNO, Brielle gives tours for prospective students and their families. In high school, Brielle served in leadership roles as the president of National Honor Society (NHS) and vice-president of Future Farmers of America (FFA). She plans to pursue a career in the food science field with a focus on designing and creating food, particularly those catering to gluten and dairy-free preferences.
CALLIE STALNAKER | FRESHMAN | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
In her recent internship with KRT Construction, Callie worked as a drafting intern, where she played a pivotal role in creating blueprints for renovations and new construction projects. At UNO, Callie is a member of the Maverick Swim Club, the Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha (NESCO), and the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee (AESLAC). Callie is also highly involved in PC3, a college ministry that is through Providence Church. After graduation, Callie is interested in a career in architectural engineering.
NICK SVOBODA | FRESHMAN | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | RALSTON, NE
Nick is a member of the Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha (NESCO), the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership and Advisory Committee (AESLAC), and UNO’s Dance Marathon. After graduation, Nick is interested in a career in architectural engineering.
ANGELIQUE VARGAS | FRESHMAN | CHEMISTRY
| BELLEVUE, NE
Angelique currently works as an EEG assistant, where she monitors video for epileptic activity. As a 2023 Scott Scholars Design Studio intern partnered with Give Nebraska, Angelique helped to develop a web application to engage younger donors and boost overall donations through a more streamlined donation process and with more efficient campaign materials to enhance workplace giving initiatives. She is gaining experience in the medical field as a CNA working at UNMC. Angelique plans on pursuing a career in medicine, with the aspiration of becoming a pediatrician.
AIDEN WEBER | FRESHMAN | ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING | TECUMSEH, NE
In high school, Aiden was actively involved in cross country, basketball, track and field, and band. Additionally, he volunteered at Grace Lutheran Church in Cook, NE, and served on the youth advisory board for South East Nebraska Community Action Network, contributing to food and clothing drives and youth engagement. After graduation, Aiden is interested in a career in architectural engineering.
DREW SWANBERG | FRESHMAN | IT INNOVATION | OMAHA, NE
Drew was recently a 2023 Scott Scholars Design Studio intern partnering with Give Nebraska, where he helped improve their workplace giving campaigns through a web application utilizing design thinking methodologies. Drew also tutors students virtually, helping them with writing assignments by teaching English and logic concepts. He also started a club within his Scott Scholars cohort called “Let’s Talk About It,” where members aim to promote civility and discourse surrounding various conversation topics, especially those that might be controversial. Drew’s career interests include artificial intelligence and IT innovation.
JUNIPER WEYHRICH | FRESHMAN | MATHEMATICS | OMAHA, NE
Most recently, June participated in the 2024 Scott Scholars Design Studio Internship, where they worked with City Sprouts of Omaha to innovate solutions to improve fundraising campaigns. During the school year, June’s Community Action Project team works with Completely Kids, streamlining their curriculum inventory system. Outside of school, they enjoy playing the guitar and the banjo. In the future, June would like to pursue a career in applied mathematics or actuarial science.
ELLA SWANK | FRESHMAN | BIOMECHANICS | LINCOLN, NE
Ella currently works for the Recreational Therapy Program at the Munroe-Meyer Institute where she coordinates and leads patients in recreational therapy activities. At UNO, she was involved in the fall 2023 musical and currently is a part of UNO Unified Club, Salt Company Omaha, and Chi Omega. Ella plans to attend medical school after graduation, aspiring to become a pediatric occupational therapist.
MALLORY WILLIAMS | FRESHMAN | CIVIL ENGINEERING | OMAHA, NE
Most recently, Mallory served as an intern for Olsson as part of their roadway team. After graduation, Mallory is interested in a career in civil engineering.
ELLA TERWILLIGER | FRESHMAN | NEUROSCIENCE | LINCOLN, NE
Currently, Ella works as a pediatric CNA. In high school, Ella served on the National Honor Society board and participated in show choir and speech activities. After graduation, Ella aspires to attend medical school, specializing in pediatric neurology or neurosurgery.
JORDAN ZHANG | FRESHMAN | COMPUTER SCIENCE | BEATRICE, NE
In high school, Jordan was actively involved in varsity tennis, varsity soccer, Key Club, and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). After graduation, he is interested in a career in software development or game development.
