Through this program, students can be part of a program that helps enhance their academic and professional abilities, all without having to worry about the cost.
A gift to this fund provides needed general help to the College of Business Administration, enabling it to lend support to areas, projects and programs of greatest need.
Within the College of Business Administration at UNO lies a program that provides students with an opportunity to be a part of a high-achieving community, make connections and pursue their future goals. This program is made possible by the generosity of donors who fund students’ scholarships.
Bethany Hughes, director of the CBA Scholars Academy, has seen the direct impact of this program through the 10 years she has spent developing it.
“I came back to the College of Business after I graduated and then worked there for two years as an academic adviser,” Hughes said.
“In 2014, the university received a big donation to start the Scholars Academy, which I was then hired for.”
Relatively new to UNO, the academy has made an immeasurable impact on students and staff alike. Through this program, students can be part of a program that helps enhance their academic and professional abilities, all without having to worry about the cost.
Students are provided with the chance to gain professional guidance through mentorship, visiting businesses, making connections through their cohorts and even traveling abroad during their junior year.
“What has probably been the most impactful for students is the mentor program,” Hughes said. “Every student is matched with a mentor from the business community, and we have expanded it. They will meet with their mentor six times throughout the academic year.”
Students can gain practical advice from mentors who have real-world experience while expanding their own networks through them. A past student of the program now works at Renaissance Financial, all because his mentor reached out to an employee he knew at the company and connected the two.
Hughes continues to keep in contact with students who were previously involved in the program. The program has a 90% retention rate, which has led to continued participation even after graduation. She was able to match up a student studying in Germany with an alum and mentor in the program who is also living in Germany. The alumni of this program continue to stay in touch with each other years later, Hughes said.
Without the opportunity to join the CBA Scholars Academy, students would not have the college experience they yearn for.
“The Scholars Academy scholarship has provided me with the freedom to prioritize both my academic pursuits and extracurricular activities,” Logan Heger, a student of the 2022 cohort, said. “With reduced financial stress, I’ve been able to engage in various UNO organizations that have enhanced my personal growth. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to pursue internships that align with my future career aspirations.”
The CBA Scholars Academy would not exist without donors. And for some students, getting a scholarship through the program determines whether they can pursue higher education.
“When I can tell a student they were selected for a large scholarship that will cover their tuition and fees, that is special,” said Hughes
“They get to graduate without debt, which is setting them up for success after school and makes it possible for them to follow their dreams,” Hughes said.
To give more life-changing opportunities to students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, please consider donating to the CBA Scholars Academy Fund today.
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