Highlights of achievements by faculty, staff and students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business in October 2026 include awards, milestones, research, leadership, service, media appearances, and notable involvement in the college and university.
Rankings
- The College of Business ranks No. 1 in Nebraska, No. 36 among public undergraduate business programs nationally in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. Nebraska shares its overall ranking with Auburn University, Florida State University, Syracuse University and Villanova University. Read the story.
Honors and Awards
- College of Business employees reaching university service milestones in 2026 include:
5 years: Lainey Bomberger, Shelby Cripps, Robin Garewal, Yifan Gong, Andrew Hanna, Nam Le, Caitlin Smith and Yuxi Yao.
10 years: Herita Akamah, Amy Bartels, Brian Baugh, Samantha Fairclough, Steven Hegemann, Laura Lynn Horst, Uchechukwu Jarrett, Graham (Yanxin) Liu, Lori Sorto, Daniel Tannenbaum, Rachel Wesley and Julie Wu.
15 years: Özgür Araz, Sheri Irwin-Gish and Samuel Nelson.
25 years: Debra Cosgrove, David Olson and Silvana Trimi.
35 Years: John E. Anderson and Ravi Sohi.
40 years: Scott M. Fuess and Colin Ramsay. - Larkin Barry, junior marketing major from Raymond, Nebraska, and Katy Taylor, senior actuarial science major from Lincoln, were among the 15 university faculty, staff and students nominated for the 2026 Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards. The awards recognize women making a positive impact in Lincoln through leadership, service and community involvement. Read the story.
- Leonardo Luna-Duran, a junior management and political science major from Neligh, Nebraska, was selected as a 2026-28 recipient of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. A first-generation college student, he is also pursuing a certificate in public policy analysis. Read the story.
- Eight College of Business seniors were selected among the university's 20 homecoming royalty finalists. The student body will elect the winners, who will be announced Oct. 3 at halftime of the Nebraska-Maryland football game. Meet the College of Business finalists.
Promotions
- Haley Baehr was promoted to operations associate for the Nebraska Council on Economics Education and selected as executive secretary for the National Association of Economic Educators, housed in the College of Business.
- Amanda Metcalf was promoted to director of operations and external relations for the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship.
- Matthew Pierson was promoted to director of programs for the Nebraska Council on Economics Education, housed in the College of Business.
Research
- Michael Ricks, assistant professor of economics, and Brenden Timpe, Van Horne Chair and associate professor of economics, are researching innovative, evidence-based teaching practices that enhance student learning.as the 2026-27 Seacrest Teaching Fellows.
Notable Involvement
- The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln selected 39 students from seven states for the 2026 cohort of the Clifton Builders Program, which brings together students with high leadership and entrepreneurial potential to develop their strengths and create positive change. This year's cohort represents academic interests ranging from finance and marketing to biological sciences, pre-nursing and construction management. Read the story and list of students.
- Pedro Agüero, assistant professor of practice in management, and Elina Ibrayeva, associate professor of practice in management, were among 14 faculty and staff members in the university’s inaugural Accessibility Ambassadors Program, launched in 2025 by the Digital Accessibility Collaborative. The ambassadors help colleagues improve digital accessibility, connect with resources and prepare for federal accessibility requirements. Their work has improved accessibility scores and expanded support for accessible digital materials within their units. Read the Nebraska Today story.
- Lori Sorto, director of finance & budget for the College of Business, was among 25 staff members selected for the university's 2026-27 Staff Leadership Academy. The program builds leadership skills through cohort-based learning, peer connections and applied work. Read the Nebraska Today story.
- Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business, is chairing the 11-members search advisory committee for the new dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at Nebraska. Read the story.
- Nearly 100 university students joined business and community leaders Sept. 11 for the third annual Trailblazer’s Breakfast, which connects students with Nebraska’s workforce. Organized by The Foundry, a Lincoln nonprofit hub, the University Honors Program and the College of Business, the event offered opportunities for networking, discussion and learning. Read the story.
In The News
- The College of Business welcomed 958 freshmen this fall, marking its third consecutive year enrolling at least 900 first-year students. The college welcomed 975 first-year students in 2025 and 900 in 2024. Read the story.
- Meg Harris, assistant professor of practice in accountancy, appeared on 10/11’s “Money Map” segment Sept. 14 to share tips on where to keep savings. See the video.
- Eric Thompson, director of Bureau of Business Research and K.H. Nelson College Professor of Economics, appeared on KLKN's Grow Lincoln podcast on Sept. 19 to discuss the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act training program. Listen to the podcast.
