As the student engagement and recruitment coordinator with the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship, Mallory Krenk, ‘22, has a hand in daily operations, marketing and most importantly, the experience of student entrepreneurs. Krenk, an alum of the center, recognizes the impact of being involved. From competitions and student groups to majors and hands-on opportunities with professionals in the industry, students across campus are finding value in investing in themselves with the help of Krenk and the center.
You are the student engagement and recruitment coordinator with the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship. Can you describe what this role entails?
My role is centered around the student experience and connecting students to opportunities on campus and within the entrepreneurship community. A lot of my job is meeting students where they’re at and helping them find ways to get involved, whether that’s in the classroom, through a competition or event or by connecting them with faculty and community members.
The work spans marketing, programming and recruitment. I lead all student-facing marketing and communications, including our social media, digital signage, weekly email newsletter and event-related campaigns, making sure students know what’s happening and how they can get involved. I also lead the center’s first-year cohort program, the Catalysts program, which includes owning the recruitment funnel and planning weekly programming for first-year students who are just beginning their entrepreneurial journey. In addition, I support the center’s events and Accelerator program as well as advise two student organizations, Husker Venture Fund, UNL’s student-led and student-managed venture fund, and Women+ in Entrepreneurship.
At the end of the day, my role is about lowering barriers to entry, telling the stories of our students and the center and helping students build confidence, connections and real experience so they can take their next step, whatever that looks like for them.
The Center for Entrepreneurship is a collaborative space where students from any college across campus come together to bring ideas to life. What kinds of experiences and hands-on learning opportunities can students expect from involvement in the center?
Students from across the university engage with the Center for Entrepreneurship both inside and outside the classroom, gaining hands-on experiences that meet them wherever their interests and passions lie.
Outside the classroom, students actively bring ideas to life through our competitions, programs and events. They become immersed in Nebraska’s vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem, build meaningful relationships with peers, founders, investors and community leaders, and learn that entrepreneurship at Nebraska means more than starting something. While many students engage with the goal of launching or growing something of their own, we equally serve students interested in venture capital, franchising, family businesses and careers in fast-paced, startup-driven environments.
The center is designed to support a wide range of entrepreneurial paths through competitions like the 3-2-1 Quick Pitch Competition and New Venture Competition, events like Mentorship Roundtable and Open Pitch Night, programs like the Catalysts and Accelerator programs and student organizations like Husker Venture Fund and Women+ in Entrepreneurship.
Inside the classroom, students from any major can declare a minor in entrepreneurship, and College of Business students can pursue a management major with a track in entrepreneurship and innovation. Around 70 percent of students with a declared minor in entrepreneurship are non-College of Business students, which provides a really unique learning environment — getting students with diverse skillsets and backgrounds in the same room working on real-world solutions.
Time and again, students tell us that the connections they build and the confidence they gain through their involvement in the center, both inside and outside the classroom, are among the most transformative experiences of their college careers. As an alumna of the program, I concur.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln climbed seven spots to rank No. 35 globally for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs in 2025. What does this ranking mean to you, your team and students?
This ranking by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneurship Magazine reflects the collective strength of entrepreneurship programs across the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the shared commitment to supporting students who want to create, lead and innovate. It speaks to how colleges, faculty, staff and partners across campus work together to deliver a cohesive, high-quality experience for students.
More than anything, the recognition reflects the student experience at Nebraska. Entrepreneurship is embedded throughout the university, with 39 entrepreneurship-related courses and participation from students representing 109 majors. That breadth reinforces a common theme across our programs: entrepreneurship is not limited to a single discipline; it’s a skill set that benefits students in any field, major or program. The ranking also highlights the depth of connection between university programs and the entrepreneurial community. Over the past year, more than 250 mentors — including founders, operators and industry professionals — engaged with students, creating meaningful opportunities to learn from real-world experience in real time. For students, this ranking affirms that they are part of a university-wide ecosystem that values collaboration and innovation, and that multiple programs across Nebraska are invested in their success.
During your time as a student at Nebraska, you studied marketing and entrepreneurship while running your own business. How did the Center for Entrepreneurship aid in your academic experience and in the growth of your business?
The center gave me an immediate sense of community among other entrepreneurial students, many of whom I now consider my closest friends. Being surrounded by peers who were also building and exploring careers in the ecosystem created an environment that was both motivating and supportive.
Through the center’s experiences, I gained confidence, built meaningful connections and was exposed to industries, companies and career paths that aren’t always highlighted through traditional campus career services. Those experiences broadened my perspective on what was possible and helped me better navigate my own entrepreneurial journey.
Do you have a favorite part of your job? If so, please share.
My favorite part of my job is the team I get to work with every day, being able to wear a lot of hats and the impact we get to make. No two days look the same, and we are constantly innovating, building and adapting alongside our students. These qualities have shaped what I value in a career and will continue to guide the kinds of roles I seek, wherever my path leads.
What does it mean to give back to the student and alumni community as an alumna of the University of Nebraska, and specifically, the Center for Entrepreneurship?
Giving back as an alum of the University of Nebraska, and especially of the Center for Entrepreneurship, means showing up for students in the same way others once showed up for me, whether that’s through advising, creating opportunities or being a student’s cheerleader. As a student, I experienced how powerful and vibrant the entrepreneurship ecosystem is in Lincoln and Omaha and I want students to know about new and growing companies, to see the many paths available to them and to know the people willing to invest in their success. If I can help open a door or make a connection, then I’m paying forward the impact the center had on me.
What advice would you give students who have an entrepreneurial spirit but may be hesitant to fully invest in their ideas?
Say yes to experiences that scare you, be a “sponge” and know that every opportunity that the center has is open to you, no matter your major. You don’t have to have everything figured out to get started and surround yourself with people who will challenge and support you. If you’re interested in getting involved or just want to learn more, let me know here.
Is there anything that people may not know, but would be interested in knowing about the Center for Entrepreneurship?
I think a common misconception of the center is that we’re only here for College of Business students. Although we’re housed and supported by the college in many ways, we champion students and drive entrepreneurship across the university. Expanding awareness and access across campus has been an ongoing priority, and the development of the Campus Fellows program has significantly strengthened those connections by embedding entrepreneurship champions within colleges and departments.
In addition, many people may not realize just how long entrepreneurship has been part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The Center for Entrepreneurship was established in 1986, making it one of the oldest university-based entrepreneurship centers in the country. That longevity has allowed the center to build deep expertise and a national reputation over several decades. Despite its longevity and national recognition, the Center for Entrepreneurship is not a named center. That means it does not have a permanent endowment like many peer institutions. A permanent endowment would create long-term stability and allow the university to significantly expand entrepreneurship courses, programs, competition prize funding and scholarships, making these opportunities accessible to an even broader group of students.
