Happy New Year! I am proud of all we accomplished in 2018 and even more excited for what is in store for our college this year. In 2019, we celebrate the 150^th anniversary of our university. I hope you will join us in celebrating the historic past of your university, especially during the inaugural Charter Week activities. The new tradition brings a lineup of special events and tributes during the week of February 11-15. Thinking about our university’s mission of public education and service, you and your support play such an important role in our efforts to transform into a premier business college.
 
You may have seen the timeline featured in our annual Nebraska Business magazine showing how over several years we worked together to create distinctive programs, sought-after student services and mission-driven support teams. Our transformation continues as this year brings more opportunities to advance Nebraska Business.
 
This spring we will pilot a supplemental teaching model that will focus on some of the college’s most difficult courses. Selected business students will be trained as peer tutors and will attend class as model students, hold office hours and lead weekly review sessions where students have the chance to personally engage with course material. These review sessions will help students improve their study techniques and provide an intimate learning environment for our larger lecture courses. This pilot program can harness the community within our student body to bolster their academic support and engagement.

We also plan to offer more Business+ workshops as a way for students to strengthen their skills in certain areas employers have shared are key to succeeding in the job market. These workshops allow students to dive into emerging industry trends as well as established employer-identified needs, like the advanced Excel workshop we piloted this past semester.

In this e-newsletter, you will find additional ways we are continuing to strengthen our college, including our newly named Seacrest Faculty Fellows and what they plan to start this spring. You can also learn more about a new course that by design meets through technology more than they do in a classroom, and a new initiative for international students and faculty to further connect by sharing a meal together in the professor’s home.

Beyond resolutions, what do you plan to start in 2019? We want to know. Please complete the brief form and you may find yourself featured in the future.

May this year bring you and your family health, happiness and more Husker spirit! Published: January 8, 2019