New Cohort of Inclusive Business Leaders Set to Drive Change in Business

38 New Students Join Award-Winning First-Year Scholarship Program

The newest cohort of 38 Inclusive Business Leaders at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will impact the world of business by helping make it more inclusive. Students will tackle hands-on learning experiences in a zero-credit-hour course and receive a $2,000 scholarship and peer mentoring.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business welcomed 38 first-year students into the award-winning Inclusive Business Leaders (IBL) program this fall. The cohort of students hail from four states and represent 10 majors. They will learn how to make business more inclusive through education, mentoring and unique hands-on learning opportunities.

"The IBL program creates a deeply connected community that these students can leverage for years to come,” said Rose Hull, associate director of the Teaching and Learning Center, who helps coordinate IBL. “This cohort has been incredible thus far. From the short time we have spent together already, I’d characterize this group as strong community builders and curious learners.”

Each student in the program receives a $2,000 scholarship, along with customized academic and career support. Throughout the year, students take part in a course (BSAD 191) that covers inclusion-related topics through theoretical and practical approaches. The course is enhanced by guest speakers, peer mentoring and opportunities for students to connect with employers and local organizations.

“We were honored to win the MidAmerican Business Deans Association Innovation in Business Education Award for Student Engagement last year. Our program's strength comes from providing a foundation for growth and support that sets up students for success," Hull said. "Through unique networking opportunities, elevated class projects that allow students to make a real impact, and valuable mentoring from upperclassmen, this network of individuals determined to make business more inclusive is only expanding."

Students in the program also participate in consulting projects with local businesses, engage in team-building activities and compete in case competitions.

"Their spring semester features a capstone project working with local employers on inclusion-related issues. It enables them to use their knowledge to solve a real-world problem and gain real experience in this particular area of business. Past projects included launching a Slack channel to foster an inclusive workplace culture at marketing company Firespring and developing training for teachers and administrators at Lincoln Public Schools on cultural competency," said Kasey Linde, director of teaching, learning and accreditation, who leads the IBL program.

Mentorship remains a key component of the IBL experience. Sophomore mentors help first-year students transition into college life while taking on leadership roles in the classroom.

“Mentors have expanded responsibilities within the classroom, such as leading discussions, providing feedback to students and deciding how to present topics in class,” Linde said. “Outside of class, they are meeting with their mentees, planning social and professional development opportunities and connecting students to campus resources.”

More than 20 families and businesses privately support IBL. Donors such as John, '86, and Mary, '86, Schuele and Roger Petersen, '78, and Louisa Hayward were instrumental in launching the program, which now celebrates retention and success rates that far exceed the general university population.

“We are grateful to the Schueles for the initial lead gift to run a pilot program during the spring 2021 semester while we recruited students for the first cohort. It sparked excitement for this program and support followed by other generous donors like James, '87, and Barbara, '87, Stuart, who enabled us to expand the program's impact. It's because of their support we could quickly get to work on empowering students to find their future in business,” Linde said.

Students apply to the program when applying to the university. To be considered for the fall 2025 cohort, apply by the program’s priority deadline of Feb. 1. The final deadline is March 1. To learn more about the Inclusive Business Leaders Program and its application requirements, click here.

The 2024-25 cohort of the Inclusive Business Leaders, with their academic major(s), are:

NEBRASKA

Beatrice: Alexa Marquez, marketing

Bellevue: Alexandria Robinson, international business

Columbus: Taina Davis, marketing

Elkhorn: Bella Carraher, accounting

Grand Island: Brianna Alvarado, management; Yuli Alvarez, international business; Ariel Figueroa, business administration

Imperial: Mason Tyerman, marketing

La Vista: Teagan Frank, actuarial science

Lexington: Brook Lul, finance

Lincoln: Rosi Arteaga, finance; Carmelo Coles, marketing; Carter Kray, marketing; Miles Maly, finance; Devon Merill, finance; Zahra Mohammad, international business; Eh Ta Taw, finance; Janely Torres Gonzalez, business administration and secondary education; Alberto Uribe Donis, business and law; Kyndle Woods, management; Mateen Younis, international business

Norfolk: Jacob Colligan, finance

Omaha: Destinee Anderson, finance; Brady Bousquet, finance; Araya Faulkner-Dorsey, marketing; Jonathan Flores-Mondragon, management; Yara Omar, business administration; Arvi Phan, management; Nishi Singh, economics; Jeriah Station, business administration; Riley Ultican, business administration; Mike Wheelock, business administration

Pierce: Zak Abler, accounting

Plattsmouth: Courtney Harvey, management

South Sioux City: Sam Santillan-Hernandez, accounting