Perseverance and hard work have always been guiding principles for Teja Farley.

Farley, a Syracuse, Nebraska native, has employed these principles at every major turn in her life. Now, she’s reaping the rewards that have come after years of grinding toward her goals.

The UNO Fund student scholarship recipient always worked hard for good grades in the classroom. However, she shined in high school as an active member in a variety of clubs and activities, ranging from volleyball to a four-year stint in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

“I picked up a lot of my leadership skills in FBLA,” she said. “It’s where I really excelled.”

The club also helped Farley discover her knack for public speaking and creating interpersonal relationships. She used those skills to become a leader within her community, organizing and directing several blood drives within her school.

“I participated and did everything I could to really show off my skills where I could,” she said.

When Farley was applying for scholarships as a senior, she quickly identified the UNO Fund Student Scholarship as one that fit her perfectly. After completing her application for the scholarship in the fall during her senior year in high school, Farley continued to remain active in her clubs and activities.

Her hard work paid off just months after completing her application. Shortly after finishing first in a job interview competition at an FBLA state leadership conference, Farley received a phone call naming her as a recipient of the UNO Fund Student Scholarship.

“All I could think that entire day was: ‘Wow, I really made it,’” she said. “Everything I worked for this entire year has paid off.”

Farley has reaped the successes of her hard work as a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The senior business administration major is chasing her dream of a career in sales and marketing.

She said the school’s courses and environment have provided her with the resources needed to make that dream a reality.

“I think the College of Business Administration really gives you a well-rounded education,” she said. “I’ve taken finance, accounting and marketing courses that are all intertwined, and I think that is something that is helpful in creating a well-rounded business

As Farley nears the end of her college career, she is thankful for the guidance and support she received along the way from donors who supported the UNO Fund. The scholarship, coupled with the continued guidance of her family, put her on the path to a truly impactful experience at UNO.