For many students, summer is the time to broaden their perspective through challenging learning opportunities, internships, camps and travel. Several of our College of Business students jumped at the opportunity to gain new insight by studying abroad again – the first time since the pandemic began – with CoB programs in England, Italy, Rwanda and Spain. Also, students in high school and, for the first time, middle school came to Nebraska to explore pathways in business.

At our inaugural Middle School Day at Nebraska Business, 50 middle school students spent a day in May with us to learn about different areas of business and what it’s like to be a college student on Nebraska’s campus. We plan to continue this event while expanding our programming through collaboration. Last month, I shared about our new partnership with Lincoln Public Schools and our business focus program launching at Lincoln’s new Standing Bear High School.

Our high school outreach programs include Discover Accounting in June and the award-winning DREAMBIG Academy in July. These multi-day programs enable high school students to explore business basics and potential career paths, sharpen their leadership and networking skills, and make meaningful connections that can help them in their path to college and beyond. In addition, many of the students become future Huskers.

In fact, Harley Edic of Lincoln became our first Nebraska graduate who attended Discover Accounting! A member of the first cohort in the program, Edic graduated with highest distinction this May with an undergraduate degree in accounting and plans to start our Master of Professional Accountancy program this fall. Edic also gave back by serving as mentor for the high school juniors and seniors who joined us this summer for Discover Accounting. By assisting with the program, guiding the new students and sharing her story, she inspired others to start something at Nebraska.

These outreach programs serve as only one example of what we’re able to host because of our college’s home, Howard L. Hawks Hall. This upcoming school year will be the fifth anniversary since its opening, and we are excited to go into this milestone year by announcing Paul, '76, and Mary Ann (Czeschin), '77, Koehler established a $1 million endowment to care, upkeep and improve Hawks Hall. Their gift will impact those who use Hawks Hall forever.

This month’s newsletter stories also introduce you to three remarkable women making their mark on their communities. Morgan Shaw Parker, ‘99, is the marketing alum that’s taking the WNBA team the Atlanta Dream to new heights. Katie Klug continues her family’s legacy of teaching business law at Nebraska Business. Zeta Nguyen overcame adversity by initially finding her voice in what most would assume an unlikely place – an accounting class.

Just like these alums, we don’t rest on our strengths – we stretch them. Building upon the success of the Nebraska Tax Institute, our Center for Executive and Professional Development launches the Nebraska Nonprofit Management Institute this fall with three executive certificate programs in nonprofit management, finance and fundraising. The institute will empower nonprofit leaders to make a larger and lasting impact on the people and communities they serve.

Wishing you a wonderful summer full of your own adventures.

Dean Kathy Farrell

P.S. – For those looking to hire our students, come kickoff your fall recruiting at Employer Partners Day on Thursday, August 5. In-person and online registration is now open!