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2021 International Business Achievements

2021 International Business Achievements
College of Business' International Business faculty, students and staff continue to excel in fulfilling the college's mission to drive discovery, create opportunity and empower individuals to lead the future of business.

Learn more about recent honors, appointments and publications at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business in this International Business achievements column. The achievements of faculty, staff and students are grouped within the college’s three mission-focused goals of research + discovery, learning + transformation and connection + engagement.

Research + Discovery

  • John Kalu Osiri, director of the International Business Program, associate professor of practice in management and Robert B. Daugherty Water For Food Institute Faculty Fellow, and co-authors' article, "Thrive and Survive: Assessing Personal Sustainability," was published in the March issue of the American Psychological Association Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and ResearchRead the abstract: https://go.unl.edu/nj2t 
  • Three graduate business students were named student fellows of the Nebraska Governance and Technology Center. They include: Ece Baskol, doctoral student in marketing; Mei Fong Looi, master of actuarial science student; and Izuchukwu Mbaraonye, doctoral student in management. Jeffrey Owusu-Ansah, '20, an international business alum now studying in the College of Law, will also serve as a fellow. Each student fellow will join a multidisciplinary team tasked with investigating a technology-related topic of their choosing over the course of the academic year. Read the Nebraska Today article.

Learning + Transformation

  • Three business students received Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to support credit-bearing study abroad, internship abroad or virtual international opportunities between Dec. 1, 2020, and Oct. 31, 2021. The Gilman is a nationally competitive scholarship awarded twice a year by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education. College of Business recipients, who happen to all plan to study in Spain, include: Anibal Grajeda, sophomore international business major from Lincoln; Chika Izuegbunam, senior marketing and finance major from Omaha; and Lauren Lewis, sophomore marketing major from Omaha. Read more: https://go.unl.edu/mg07.
  • A team of business students represented Nebraska for its first time to compete in the National Diversity Case Competition, Jan. 15-16. The following students created a solution for 3M, the competition's corporate sponsor: Ashley Clegg, senior Clifton Builders management and pre-med major from Lincoln; Adrianna Mcking, senior marketing, Clifton Builders management, and advertising and public relations major from Bellevue, Nebraska; Arihant Mittal, junior finance and international business major from Jaipur, India; Keymi Parra Cabrera, sophomore business administration major from Hastings, Nebraska; and Amy Roach, sophomore international business major from La Vista, Nebraska. View their presentation at: https://go.unl.edu/c9ey
  • Twenty business majors completed the Winter Career Accelerator program coordinated by the Business Career Center and Clifton Strengths Institute. The program supported students who may have not been able to complete internships due to COVID-19 by advancing their career development and helping them gain targeted skills and experiences. Participants included: Mikayla Algeo, junior marketing major from Aurora, Colorado; Khaliun Battogtokh, senior economics major from Ulaanbaata, Mongolia; Austin Berry, senior business administration major from Omaha; Marissa Bollinger, junior finance major from Omaha; Daniel Cerni, junior international business major from Canberra, Australia; Sarah Damlo, senior marketing major from Lakeville, Minnesota; Morgan Dickey, senior management and advertising and public relations major from Lincoln; Nicholas Furgason, '21, management major from Littleton, Colorado; Leah Glazer, '21, marketing major from Las Vegas; Chloe Higgins, senior economics major from Nebraska City, Nebraska; Justin Ho, senior economics and computer science major from Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia; Sam Lilly, junior finance major from Omaha; Brent Miller, senior accounting and finance major from Omaha; Reese Munson, junior finance major from Omaha; Camryn Myers, senior business administration major from Knoxville, Illinois; Doris Ngabgna, senior actuarial science major from Lincoln; Anh (Annie) Nguyen, sophomore accounting major from Saigon, Vietnam; Randy Rafert, sophomore finance major from Gresham, Nebraska; Kelly Shepsko, senior marketing major from Douglassville, Pennsylvania; and Haley Szymczak, junior accounting major from Bartlett, Illinois.
  • John Kalu Osiri was profiled in Nebraska Today for his work in cultivating Huskers' global mindsets so students can gain leadership and emotional intelligence and work through the ethical questions of international business. Read the article at: https://go.unl.edu/wpqr.
  • Six international business majors were named members of the International Business Select 2021 cohort. Together they will experience unique study abroad opportunities, professional mentorships and business development projects. Members include: Zoey Doan, junior from San Antonio, Texas; Ashleigh Johnson, freshman from Lincoln, Nebraska; Asaru Jordan, senior from Douglasville, Georgia; Michelle Lucio, sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska; Morgan Scherrer, junior from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Ann Vu, sophomore from La Vista, Nebraska.
  • The Innocents Society and Mortar Board selected seven business students for membership during 2021-22 for their senior year based on outstanding scholarship, leadership and service to the university and community. The Innocents Society inducted Chloe Higgins, senior economics major from Nebraska City, Nebraska; Madeleine Jacobitz, senior economics and finance major from Omaha; Kennedy Johnston, senior economics major from Carbon, Indiana; and Grayson Wegener, senior international business major from Denton, Nebraska. Students tapped as new members of Mortar Board include: Ethan Carlson, senior management major from Lincoln; Lexie Fiedler, senior actuarial science major from Huntley, Illinois; and Riley Knust, senior economics and finance major from Plymouth, Nebraska.
  • An interdisciplinary team of five students won the university's Global Case Competition, in which they developed a business plan for the competition's sponsor, Hauff Sports, a leading sporting goods supplier in Iowa and Nebraska. The team, which won $5,000, included: Ashley Clegg, senior Clifton Builders management and pre-med major from Lincoln; Jonathan Gerdes, junior civil engineering major from Lincoln; Damien Niyonshuti, junior integrated science major from Kigali, Rwanda; Eddie Sicila, sophomore management and marketing major from Cancún, Mexico; and Sushant Timalsina, senior agricultural economics major from Kavrepalanchok, Nepal. 
  • Eleven business faculty and staff comprised the inaugural cohort of the Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador Certificate program by the Center for Executive and Professional Development. The interactive program featured guest speakers and faculty from throughout the university to help foster an inclusive environment and prepare participants to be champions of diversity and cultural awareness in the college community. Ambassadors include: Sheri Irwin-Gish, executive director of Communications, Marketing and External Relations; Jayme Hahn, assistant director of web services; Kasey Linde, associate director of the Teaching and Learning Center; Tawnya Means, assistant dean and director of the Teaching and Learning Center; Brett Neely, assistant professor of management; Jennifer Mostek, J.D., director of Business Advising and Student Engagement; Mikki Sandin, assistant director of professional & life skills; Kimberly Smith, associate director of Communications, Marketing and External Relations; Stephanie Smith, social media and design coordinator; Troy Smith, assistant professor of management; and Garrett Stolz, writing and photography coordinator.
  • Seven students earned their Employment Readiness Certificates including: Faisal Ali, senior supply chain management major from Izki, Oman; Weimin He, senior accounting major from Changsha, China; Amaan Hussain, freshman accounting major from Hyderabad, India; Hieu Luu, sophomore accounting major from Ha Noi, Vietnam; Anh Nguyen, sophomore accounting major from Saigon, Vietnam; Monipenh Pheak, freshman international business major from Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Juan Rodriguez, senior international business and marketing major from Bogota, Columbia. Designed to help international students studying business to discover and develop skills to seek internship and job opportunities, the ERC program includes career development workshops, coaching appointments, group service projects and success skills development.  

Connection + Engagement

  • Eleven students will represent Nebraska Business at the annual U.S. Naval Academy Leadership Conference, Feb. 15-18. The conference will be hosted online this year and explore how to cultivate a winning culture. Student delegates include: Isaac Archuleta, senior business administration major from Brainard, Nebraska; Nick Earickson, senior international business major from St. Louis; Madeleine Jacobitz, senior economics and finance major from Omaha; Kennedy Johnston, senior economics major from Carbon, Indiana; Ben Hohensee, senior management (entrepreneurship) major from Lincoln; Patrick Malec, junior finance and management major from Plainfield, Illinois; Ridley Miller, junior finance major from Omaha; Olivia Rempe, '21, marketing major from Glenview, Illinois; Carson Scott, junior business administration major from Omaha; Addison Wanser, junior business administration major from Lincoln; and Jacob Zadalis, junior finance and management major from Omaha.
  • Four business majors were selected as New Student Enrollment leaders for 2021-22. They will participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of summer enrollment, transfer orientation, Big Ten Welcome, Husker Dialogues and other activities during the year. NSE leaders include: Audrey Kreun, junior accounting major from Hull, Iowa; Bobby Martin, senior marketing major from Omaha; Lucy Peterkin, senior international business major from Omaha; and Sara Segal, junior management and marketing major from Omaha.
  • Ruoxi Liu, a Chinese-American sophomore international business major, was quoted in the Daily Nebraskan in a story about combatting anti-Asian racism. She encouraged students to challenge themselves to ask bold questions to better get to know Asian students to help be a more inclusive community. Read the story at: https://go.unl.edu/6djb.
  • Meghan Schuette, a senior international business and marketing major from Omaha, was recognized as the Student of the Month by the Nebraska Business Student Advisory Board. Schuette is a student strengths coach, member of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy and social chair of its council. She currently is also pursuing her certificate in undergraduate sales excellence.
  • Devan Buescher, senior international business and Clifton Builders management major from Lincoln; Connor Castleman, '21, Clifton Builders management major from Omaha; Tyler Clark, '21, Clifton Builders management major from Omaha; Mary O'Keeffe, '21, Clifton Builders management major from Hastings, Nebraska; and Grace Partridge, senior Clifton Builders management major from Rapid City, South Dakota, received awards at the 2021 Clifton Strengths Institute (CSI) Recognition Ceremony. O'Keeffe received the prestigious Mark Pogue Award, honoring the former CSI executive director. The Outstanding Builder Award presented to Castleman and Clark honors students in the Clifton Builder Program who take on challenges to create change when others may back away. Buescher and Partridge earned the Outstanding Coaches Award for exceeding expectations in their work to advance strengths. 
  • Four students earned their Employment Readiness Certificates including: Mohsin Ambusaidi, junior business administration major from Nizwa, Oman; Salim Bait Said, '21, management major from Muscat, Oman; Almoatasim Husain Ali Al Hasani, junior finance major from Muscat, Oman; and Mohammed Sami Al Hasni, '21, supply chain management major from As-seeb, Oman. Designed to help international students studying business to discover and develop skills to seek internship and job opportunities, the ERC program includes career development workshops, coaching appointments, group service projects and success skills development.  
  • Jessica Ha, '21, international business major from Lincoln, received the Outstanding Honors Graduate Award. The University Honors Program selected exceptional graduates from each college based on their contributions to the Honors community and participation in Honors experiences. 
  • Eight students were named top strengths coaches by the Clifton Strengths Institute. To receive the honor, these students earned the highest feedback from the first-year business students they mentored in Professional Enhancement I: Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111): Jackie Alexander, '21, international business major from Papillion, Nebraska; Mason Fridrich, junior hospitality, restaurant and tourism management major from Elkhorn, Nebraska; Edgar Montoya, '21, management and marketing major from Omaha, Nebraska; Andrew Moylan, junior finance major from Waverly, Nebraska; Mary O’Keeffe, '21, Clifton Builders management major from Hastings, Nebraska; Grace Partridge, senior Clifton Builders management major from Rapid City, South Dakota; Tori Pedersen, senior Agricultural Leadership Education major from Omaha; and Jordan Seitz, senior supply chain management from Gregory, Michigan. Grace Partridge earned the highest score among all coaches and received the Clifton Strengths Institute's Royal Star award.
  • Eight student strengths coaches were recognized by the Clifton Strengths Institute for completing more than 100 coaching sessions. They included: Devan Buescher, senior Clifton Builders management and international business major from Lincoln; Connor Castleman, '21, Clifton Builders management major from Omaha; Tyler Clark, '21, Clifton Builders management major from Omaha; Audrey Erker, '21, business administration major from Omaha; Keaton Fricker, '21, Clifton Builders management and marketing major from Midland, Texas; Collin Fink, '21, advertising, public relations major from Hebron, Nebraska; Gunnar Millot, '21, Clifton Builders management and marketing major from Rhinelander, Wisconsin; and Mary O’Keeffe, '21, Clifton Builders management major from Hastings, Nebraska.
  • Eight students earned medallions in the International Business Medallion Program. To earn bronze, silver, gold or platinum medallion status, business students pursue experiences focused on career building, global citizenship and well-being. Megan Dill, '21, international business major from Wildwood, Missouri, received bronze, silver and gold medallions. Students who earned both silver and bronze medallions included: Dalton Brannen, '21, international business major from Prior Lake, Minnesota; Taylor Hogan, senior international business major from Omaha; Jacob Krupa, '21, international business major from Arlington Heights, Illinois; Jack Straka, '21, international business major from Omaha; and Ryan Tooley, '21, international business major from Sacramento, California. Brennan Merkle, a senior journalism, sports media and communication major from Naperville, Illinois, and Hannah Rethmeier, a senior accounting and Spanish major from Crete, Nebraska, earned bronze medallions.
  • John Kalu Osiri received the Dr. Michael W. Combs Legacy Award. The award honors the outstanding contributions of faculty of color on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The award is named after Dr. Michael W. Combs, professor of political science, who dedicated his life to the uplift and education of those around him. Also as part of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center Hall of Fame awards, Chau Nguyen, '21, was inducted into the hall of fame recognizing her leadership in the Asian Student Union and impact on campus. Read the Nebraska Today article on the awards. Read the story about Nguyen's student leadership.
  • Three business students served as International Student Welcome Team members, including: Sheng Jit Koo, senior business administration major from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bruno Salles, freshman finance major from Porto Alegre, Brazil; and Sharon Yu, '21, management major from Taiyuan, China. The students led New Student Enrollment events for incoming international students in August and currently serve as peer mentors to organize activities and engage students throughout the year.
  • In partnership with the College of Business and Global Affairs, Global Café and Connections allowed students to explore the world through local-global cuisine adventures that included student performances, conversations with new friends and food from local ethnic restaurants. Read more about Global Café and Connections.
  • Students from the Business International Student Association taught common greetings and name pronunciation in Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic during International Education Week's Global Greetings event. Read more about the Global Greetings event.
Published: April 6, 2022