The third cohort of the Master of Arts in Business with a specialization in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration (MAIAA) program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business Administration began classes August 22. The class includes 12 students from across the country including three women, nine men and eight former collegiate student-athletes from sports such as basketball, track and field and golf.
 
“This one-of-a-kind partnership program with Nebraska Athletics is continuing to grow in stature and popularity, and the number of applicants has been growing since our inaugural year,” said Dr. Donde Plowman, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business Administration. “I am pleased with the diversity of candidates in the third cohort from all over the U.S. and know they will grow into transformational collegiate athletic leaders with their start in our MAIAA program.”
 
Students in the third cohort are:
 
Sean Bourke from Elk Grove Village, Illinois, graduated from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
Lyle Burns from Mahomet, Illinois, graduated from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
Kate Frazier from Springfield, Missouri, graduated from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri
Lorie Garnett from Manteca, California, graduated from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
Jack Lesure from Carmel, Indiana, graduated from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
Joe Manion from Powhatan, Virginia, graduated from Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia
Trent Merfeld from Agoura Hills, California, graduated from California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo
Travis Nelson from Omaha, Nebraska, graduated from University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Anna Milone from Omaha, Nebraska, graduated from Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa
Taylor Sanderson from Bondurant, Iowa, graduated from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Jordan Stolz from Carrington, North Dakota, graduated from Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska
Jordan Welch from Galloway, New Jersey, graduated from University of South Carolina, Colombia, South Carolina
 
“The growth and development of this program has been exceptional,” said MAIAA program coordinator Brandon Urry. “We are impressed with the number of quality applicants we receive each year and are proud to be able to admit, what we feel, are some of the best students in the country who will go on to become leaders in the field of intercollegiate athletics administration.” 
 
The unique MAIAA program is the brainchild of Plowman and Huskers director of athletics Shawn Eichorst. Founded in 2014, the first cohort of seven students graduated with their MAIAA degrees in May 2016. The degree is a collaboration between CBA and the University of Nebraska Department of Athletics.
 
The number of applicants to the program has doubled from the previous year in each admission period – a trend that is expected to continue with the addition of a guaranteed full funding package for both years of the program for admitted students.
 
The MAIAA program is the first of its kind in the country to offer students a guaranteed graduate assistantship in the University of Nebraska Department of Athletics during the second year of study. During the first year of study, all 12 students have the opportunity to serve as graduate assistants in the College of Business Administration. These two excellent working opportunities provide full funding to all students admitted.
 
Students in the MAIAA program take 10 courses in addition to their graduate assistant position, which counts for six  graduate internship credit hours, for a total of 36 credit hours. Graduates of this program will have a knowledge of general business issues and practices, an understanding of collegiate and professional business concerns and additional tools to help them succeed in the workforce of college athletics administration.
 
Applications for the fall 2017 cohort are being accepted and the deadline for application is February 1, 2017. 
 
Published: August 25, 2016