Employer Partners Day
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Business Career Center hosts the annual Employer Partners Day as an opportunity to share updates from the College of Business, create connections with College of Business faculty and staff, and learn best practices to enhance your presence on campus.
In-Person Conference: Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Virtual Update: Thursday, July 23.
2026 Agenda
2026 Agenda for In-Person Session - July 22, 2026
| Time | Location | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45-9 a.m. | Atrium | Registration |
| 9-9:45 a.m. | Atrium | Welcome & College of Business Updates The Business Career Center will share updates about the College of Business curriculum and new student options, recruiting trends and unique programs to enhance your engagement efforts. |
| 9:55-11:35 a.m. | Atrium | Business Major and Program Spotlights
|
| 11:40 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Atrium | Keynote, BCC Awards and Lunch Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jordan Gonzales, Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Connect with College of Business faculty and staff and other employers. The Business Career Center will present the Employer of the Year, Sue Vagts Faculty/Staff Partner of the Year, and Intern of the Year awards. |
| 12:55-1:40 p.m. | TBD | Breakout Sessions
|
| 1:45-2:30 p.m. | Atrium | Networking & Ice Cream Enjoy UNL Dairy Store Ice Cream while mingling with other recruiters. Potential discussion prompts will be at each table, but this is your chance to learn from each other |
| 2:30-2:45 p.m. | Atrium | Closing and Prizes As we close the day, we thank you for your support of our students and will draw for prizes. |
| 2026 Agenda for Virtual Update Session - July 23, 2026 |
|---|
Virtual Update Session The session will include content from both the College and Business Career Center Overview/Highlights sessions to help employers learn of new curriculum, updates, and future plans. |
Keynote
Dr. Jordan Gonzales
Jordan Gonzales is the Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the state’s Big Ten, flagship, land-grant, and research-intensive university.
Dr. Gonzales joined the Chancellor’s Office in February 2026 after more than a decade with the Alumni Association, where he most recently served as chief of staff and senior director of alumni engagement. From 2024 to 2025, Gonzales was president of UNL’s Staff Senate. During that time, he launched the Task Force on Workplace Culture and Engagement, a two-year initiative focused on improving the workplace experience for the university’s 6,000 employees.
Jordan served as chairman of the 2,000 member Lincoln Young Professionals Group and as a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As an undergraduate, he was elected student body president and was a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. He was also president of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
A fourth-generation Nebraskan from Morrill, Gonzales earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with honors from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He recently earned his doctorate in strategic leadership and higher education management at UNL. He lives in Omaha with his wife, Ellen, and their two sons, Graham and Lincoln.
Keynote Presentation
Subtract: How Doing Less Can Be More Helpful
Jordan explores the human tendency to add solutions to problems rather than subtract them, even when subtraction may lead to better outcomes. This session includes research in science, design, and psychology—as well as evidence from personal experiences—to show you that we often overlook and undervalue the power of subtraction and simplicity.
This keynote focuses on reducing complexity which can (1) maximize your impact with limited means, (2) lead to a more sustainable work-life balance, and (3) provide you with a clearer alignment of your personal and professional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost?
To attend in-person there is a $15 cost, which includes lunch. The virtual event is free but only covers part of the content of the full in-person day.
Where should I park?
We recommend parking in the 14th & Avery Garage. From the 14th & Avery Garage, you’ll walk south to 14th and Vine St. Hawks Hall is on the southeast corner with doors on the west side of the building that face the stadium. View campus maps
How should I prepare for Employer Partners Day held via Zoom?
Set yourself up for success on Zoom by testing your software and equipment. On the day of, update your Zoom name to include your organization. You can do this by hovering over your name, click Rename, then change your name.
Talent Investment Program
New Program Offers Tuition Reduction for Your Employees, Members
The College of Business now offers three-year flexible partnership agreements for companies and organizations so you can offer a 15% tuition reduction for Nebraska's four business master's degrees and nine graduate certificate programs to your employees and members. There is no minimum or maximum number of students required to take advantage of the program.
For more information contact: Aaron Crabtree and Gretchen Holthaus
Volunteer as a Business Consultant
Open to Professionals in Any Role or Level of Experience!
Share your professional perspective and support first-year students as they tackle their first real-world business challenge in the new Introduction to Business (MNGT 101) course. Time commitment is 2 hours in November for the Fall 2026 semester or April for the spring 2027 semester.
Express Interest Now to Volunteer
Contact
Business Career Center
Students: businesscareers@unl.edu | Employers: hirebusiness@unl.edu
HLH 141
402-472-7272