Carter Mann arrived at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from Burwell, Nebraska, eager to be challenged but unsure where his path would lead. This May, he will graduate as a member of the 10th cohort of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy and begin his career at Lutz, working with small-town hospitals across the state.
“I wanted to challenge myself, but also knew the university was the best school I could go to in-state,” Mann said. "I was overwhelmed at first, but being a part of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy, with about 40 people in my general classes, and living with a friend from my hometown made it feel like a small community within a big university."
Determined to find his path, Mann followed his mother's advice not to overcommit and instead focus on discovering what interested him. That approach eventually led him to accounting.
"Dr. Jill Trucke (associate professor of practice) and Dr. Amanda Gonzales (associate professor of practice) were really passionate about accounting and knew I was interested in the material. They were invested not only in the classes but also in me as a student, which mattered because I didn’t have much exposure to accounting before college," Mann said.
As Mann learned more about the wide range of career paths available through an accounting degree, he decided to double major in accounting and finance with a minor in economics.
"Carter sat on the front row in class and was so serious that I didn't know if he was enjoying it. I quickly realized he could take the concepts we were learning and think through their practical application or easily figure out how a single accounting transaction would impact the financial statements," Trucke said. "His natural curiosity and desire to learn will have a lasting impact in the business world."
Mann also credits the accounting curriculum with preparing him for life after graduation.
“They designed the classes so you will use what you learn after you graduate. Everything builds toward the CPA exam, which gives the coursework real value,” Mann said.
Through internships, Man explored different professional environments, including a busy tax-season internship at KPMG. While valuable, the experience helped him realize he was looking for a different fit. The following summer, he interned at Lutz, working with small-town hospitals.
“That internship affected rural communities and the people in them. It was meaningful to me since I am from a small town, and I enjoyed it much more,” Mann said.
Heading into senior year, Lutz offered him a full-time position after graduation. The offer gave him clarity about his career and his future.
Outside of academics and internships, Mann built his community in unexpected ways. Through a friend from Burwell, he began practicing against the Nebraska women’s basketball team.
"We get to be the players on the opposing team and try to play their game. It's really fun because there's a lot of mental aspect to it," Mann said.
He also served as an resident assistant for a year, meeting many students and stretching his leadership and networking skills.
"It was a good experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me connect with people I might not have met otherwise," he said.
Becka Neary-DeLaporte, assistant director of the Nebraska Honors Academy, said Mann leads with a quiet force in the academy.
"His peers look to him as a thought leader in the classroom and the first person to step up when a task needs to be accomplished. He sets the standard of excellence through his actions, lifting others up without asking for recognition, offering to tutor under class students, and willing to sit down for a chat with anyone who is interested," Neary-DeLaporte said. "While his leadership may not be loud, his impact will be felt long after graduation."
For students who may feel intimidated by the size of the UNL campus, Mann offers simple advice.
“Find your communities,” he said. “There are many groups within the college and the university, and sometimes you find them in unexpected places, like playing pickup basketball at the Campus Recreation Center,” Mann said. “Get to know your professors and stay engaged in your classes. Once you find your people, it starts to feel like a small community.”
Mann describes his college experience as a series of overlapping communities: the Nebraska Business Honors Academy, the College of Business, accounting classrooms, internships, Husker basketball practices and his residence hall.
"Going to the University of Nebraska broadened my view of what I could do and helped make a large campus into a small community where I could challenge myself," Mann said. "I learned so much and had a lot of fun, and I'm proud to soon be a Husker alum."
