It's a great time for the College of Business! We recently were ranked No. 30 by the U.S. News & World Report among public universities for undergraduate business programs. The ranking comes just after we welcomed our largest class of first-year students in history and set a new record in retention!

The fall census taken Sept. 2 showcased an 11.1% increase in freshmen, driven by a 13.9% increase in Nebraska residents, with our overall college student body growing to nearly 4,400 for a 3.1% increase. With significant growth in our second newest major, business and law (86.8%), the college continues to innovate around curriculum that is in high demand while also seeing strong growth in actuarial science, accounting and finance.

Kendra Ritchie, the college's director of recruitment, shared how our students find inspiration through the stories of our business graduates who set powerful examples. Thanks to all of you who paved the way and lead by example while demonstrating your Husker Power.

Student retention, which ensures that students who start their college career ultimately graduate, rose to record-setting levels as well. First-year College of Business students returning for their sophomore year at the university increased to 87.2%, with university-wide retention at 86%.

Thanks to your support, we awarded a record $1.45 million in scholarships this year to help students pursue their dreams and foster a strong community within our college. There is a direct correlation between the scholarships we can award to the success of our recruitment and retention efforts. We sincerely appreciate your support, which enables students to focus on their studies and take advantage of everything offered at the college, including internships and competitions (see story on Emily Krupicka in this newsletter).

We've also worked to build a strong community within the college. Students benefit from one-on-one interactions and peer-to-peer mentoring programs through our academic advising, career coaching and free tutoring. In fact, every first-year student receives coaching on how to excel using their natural talents. We've also created a stronger sense of belonging through specialized programs such as the Inclusive Business Leaders, a cohort-based program for first-year business students who are committed to making the college and the field of business more inclusive for all; Entrepreneurship Catalysts, a cohort-based program for first-year students of any university major that includes a $1,000 scholarship as they explore their entrepreneurial potential; and Nebraska Business Honors Academy, a four-year cohort-based, enhanced business curriculum for high-ability students (see story on graduate Trevor Lockard in this newsletter).

Graduate enrollment also grew by 8.5% to 573 students with the newest MBA class showing a 22% increase. We've prioritized offering a high-quality and affordable MBA program that meets the needs of our students in the ever-changing world of business. Our graduates report starting average salaries over $140,000, and we've strategically kept the MBA@Nebraska under $34,000 while other top-ranked programs cost more than $98,000 to provide our alumni with a high return on investment.

The Princeton Review ranked our Nebraska MBA program #7 in the nation and #1 in Nebraska in July. This fall, the MBA program celebrates 60 years with an MBA Reunion on Nov. 2.

Join us for the annual Nebraska Business Tailgate before the Nebraska vs. UCLA game! This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and celebrate our shared achievements.

RSVP today for the tailgate and share your Husker Power!

Dean Kathy Farrell