Twenty-one University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been selected to participate in the 2026-27 Ameritas Emerging Leaders Academy, where they will develop leadership skills, build connections with industry professionals and explore real challenges facing the insurance industry.
Coordinated by the university’s Center for Executive and Professional Development, the seven-month program combines professional development led by faculty and industry experts with 1-on-1 CliftonStrengths coaching and a hands-on innovation project. The academy is offered at no cost to selected students through a grant from Ameritas.
“The Ameritas Emerging Leaders Academy offers an experience that complements and enriches the great education Nebraska provides. Supporting programs that enhance the academic environment is a top priority for Ameritas,” said Bob Jurgensmeier, chief executive officer of Ameritas.
Students meet one Friday each month from September through April for programming focused on strengths-based leadership, the insurance industry, change management, effective communication and innovation. They also receive two individual sessions with a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths coach and spend a day at the Ameritas campus learning about the industry and connecting with company professionals.
The experience culminates in a hands-on innovation project. Working in teams with project coaches, students develop solutions to real challenges facing the insurance industry and present their recommendations to Ameritas senior leadership.
“This partnership brings together the strengths of our university and Ameritas to give students an experience they could not get anywhere else,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “Students learn from faculty and industry leaders, apply those lessons to real business challenges and build the confidence to contribute early in their careers. We are grateful to Ameritas for investing in our students and making this opportunity possible.”
Amber Messersmith, executive director of the Center for Executive and Professional Development and the program’s faculty lead, said the academy gives students opportunities to immediately apply what they learn.
“We're excited to work with these students as they get the rare chance to build leadership skills while learning in ways that connect the classroom with the workplace. Having Ameritas leaders share their expertise and engage directly with students makes those lessons even more meaningful,” she said.
Students who recently completed the academy saw that impact firsthand. Andrew Littman, a 2026 Nebraska graduate who earned degrees in economics and finance, said working directly on an Ameritas challenge changed how he thought about his ability to contribute early in his career.
“Getting to work on a real problem for Ameritas while building connections with those in my cohort has been the best part of this academy,” Littman said. “I always thought managing organizational change was something that only came with experience, but learning how to make analytical decisions showed me I could have an impact now as well.”
Students who complete the academy earn a digital badge they can display on LinkedIn and leave the program with an expanded professional network that includes fellow emerging leaders and Ameritas professionals.
Members of the 2026-27 cohort, listed alphabetically by hometown with their current class standing and academic major(s), are:
Nebraska
Bennington:
- Andrew Karolski, sophomore, entrepreneurship
Gretna:
- Kate Ebmeier, sophomore, actuarial science
Lincoln:
- Aboud Abdalhamid, senior, marketing
- Harjot Kaur, junior, finance and business analytics
- Alexandra Konmegne, sophomore, actuarial science and data science
- Hunter Vahle, junior, actuarial science
- Teresa Wilson, senior, advertising and public relations with a business minor
Milford:
- Kellan Kubicek, sophomore, actuarial science
Omaha:
- Harrison Jordan, junior, finance and accounting
- Julia Perju, sophomore, actuarial science and finance
- Bethany Taylor, sophomore, actuarial science
Orleans:
- Kamden Bose, junior, accounting and finance
Papillion:
- Mason Schroeder, sophomore, business and law and accounting
Pender:
- Jaxen Breitbarth, sophomore, finance
Roca:
- Barrett Stueven, junior, management
Wallace:
- Reagan Pelster, junior, agribusiness
Elsewhere
Plainfield, Illinois:
- Anthony Hintz, sophomore, actuarial science and finance
Allen, Texas:
- Stacy Dabrowski, junior, actuarial science and finance
Vermillion, South Dakota:
- Payton Griese, junior, business administration
Waunakee, Wisconsin:
- Peter Wangerin, sophomore, actuarial science
Selangor, Malaysia:
- Beatrice Ann Qi Soo Hoo, senior, finance
