Inclusive Business Leaders

Making Business More Inclusive For All

Inclusive Business Leaders is a cohort-based program of first-year business students who demonstrate a commitment to making Nebraska Business and the field of business a more inclusive environment for all.

Apply for Fall 2025 Cohort
Apply by the priority deadline on February 1, 2025. Final deadline is April 1, 2025.

Meet the Inclusive Business Leaders

Program Benefits

Inclusive Business Leaders participate in weekly meetings to engage in thoughtful discussion on a wide variety inclusion topics that impact business today. You'll also build community within your cohort through monthly social activities, make meaningful relationships with college leadership, compete in case competitions, and learn from a number of business professionals through hands-on experiences in the community. Each Inclusive Business Leader is supported by an IBL peer mentor and the IBL staff as they discover how to be a leader in today's diversified work environment.

$2,000 Scholarship

Inclusive Business Leaders are awarded a $2,000 scholarship for engagement in your first year. The scholarship is split, with $1,000 for each semester of program completion.

Students holding scholarship certificates.

Exclusive Hands-on Learning Opportunities

You participate in several meaningful experiences on and off campus as an Inclusive Business Leader. Specifically, the program provides opportunities for site visits to local businesses, community service projects, participation in a business case competition, and facilitated discussions with impactful guest speakers.

Academic and Career Support

Through IBL, you take some of your introductory College of Business coursework together with your cohort. The program connects participants with free tutoring and guided pathway planning by an academic advisor. Paired with professional development opportunities like connections to employers and a dining etiquette luncheon, IBL prepares you to confidently step into the business world.

Peer Mentorship and Connection

The cohort model of the program encourages a sense of community and connection for first-year students as you navigate projects and discussion around inclusive business together! Outside of the class, IBL hosts monthly social events and facilitates the IBL mentor program, where you are paired with a peer mentor to help guide and support you through your first year and beyond.

How to Become an Inclusive Business Leader

Apply by completing a short application and essays describing your experiences, knowledge and career goals.

Application requirements include:

Admission to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a first-time freshman

Declare and pursue a major in the College of Business

2.5 Cumulative high school GPA

Apply for Fall 2025 Cohort
Apply by the priority deadline on February 1. Final deadline is April 1.

Program Resources

Academic Advising

From your first day of class to graduation, the staff in BASE are your resource for academic advising, numerous opportunities to get engaged in the college and enriching your learning outside of class.

Business Advising and Student Engagement

Career Coaching

A national leader in preparing students for lifelong career success, the Business Career Center’s innovative services and programs help you develop confidence, professionalism and connections. Meeting with a career coach, you can explore majors and careers, develop your résumé and cover letters, refine your LinkedIn and learn strategies for interviews, identifying opportunities and negotiating job offers.

Business Career Center

Free Tutoring

Everyone can benefit from getting help on coursework through the FREE tutoring offered by the Teaching and Learning Center. You can take advantage of regularly scheduled tutoring assistance available for core classes or request help with specialized software and courses at a time that works for you.

Teaching and Learning Center

Strengths Coaching

Selected for their ability to develop others, student strengths coaches mentor first-year business students in the course Professional Enhancement I: Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111). During your first eight weeks of the fall semester, a student strengths coach will meet with you once a week and facilitate two one-on-one strengths coaching sessions tailored to help you recognize and maximize your potential.

Clifton Strengths Institute

Inclusive Excellence

This program is one initiative in the college's journey toward inclusive excellence. Other inclusive excellence goals and initiatives include DIGS, a place for conversation and community, and an Inclusive Excellence Advisory Group of faculty and staff who advise the dean on the college's initiatives and priorities related to inclusion.

College of Business Inclusive Excellence

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for this scholarship? The Inclusive Business Leaders program is a welcoming group for high school seniors who: Earned a 2.5+ GPA in High school Have been admitted to UNL Will actively pursue a College of Business Major Have an interest in sharing their unique perspective and learning from each other's life experiences The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.
Can I apply if I’m from out-of-state? Yes! All domestic students are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Do I need to interview to receive this scholarship? No. The selection committee will use the information provided in the application to select scholarship recipients.
When would I receive the scholarship? These first-year scholarships are awarded to students’ MyRED account following the successful completion of each semester for those who are actively pursuing a business major. For example, once you successfully complete the fall semester, the scholarship will be applied in January and used for the spring semester. Spring semester scholarships can be applied to the summer session or the following fall.
What does this scholarship cover? The Inclusive Business Leaders scholarship can be applied to tuition and fees, and room and board.
When do I find out if I have received the scholarship? Everyone who applies to the scholarship program will be notified of the selection results. Notifications will be sent to the email address provided in the application on or before May 1.
Is this scholarship renewable? No. The $2,000 scholarship ($1,000 per semester) is a one-time scholarship for first-year students. Following the first year, students may apply to stay involved with the program as a paid peer mentor.
Can I be an Inclusive Business Leader if I participate in other programs on campus? Yes! Students can successfully participate in the Inclusive Business Leaders program while being involved with other campus programs such as W.H. Thompson Scholars, Learning Communities, TRIO, etc. We will work with students to develop a personalized plan to accommodate any potential conflicts.
What if I change my major to something outside of the College of Business? Unfortunately, you need to be actively pursuing a major in business to receive this award. Students need to successfully complete and show continuous enrollment in future business courses at the time scholarships are awarded as a part of the successful completion of each semester.
I have more questions. Who can I talk to about this program? Please contact Rose Hull at rosehull@unl.edu.

Contact

Rose Hull

Associate Director of the Teaching and Learning Center

HLH 014 C

P.O. Box 880405

Lincoln, NE 68588-0405

402-472-4290

rosehull@unl.edu