Founded in 2010, the UNO Young Alumni Academy is an eight-month professional development program designed for alumni 40 and younger. Nearly 500 alumni have completed the academy. The award-winning program is free for participants. 

Members of the UNO Young Alumni Academy:

• experience unique networking opportunities; 
• develop stronger connections to each other and with UNO;
• meet University and University of Nebraska Foundation leaders;
• hone leadership and professional development skills;
• learn more about the UNO Alumni Association’s programs and benefits;
• have an opportunity to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment and engage with a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach;
• and discover how to become engaged with the future of UNO. 

Young Alumni Academy Member Requirements 

• Attend all Young Alumni Academy sessions
• Attend Homecoming events hosted by the UNO Alumni Association
• Participate in Wear Black, Give Back by donating $5 or more  
 

2024–2025 UNO Young Alumni Academy Sessions
Sessions are held 6:00–8:00 p.m. at locations on and off campus. Dates are subject to change.

September 19, 2024: UNO Young Alumni Academy Class of 2024 Social 
October 17, 2024: Welcome with Regent Elizabeth O'Connor and Gallup Strengths Workshop  
November 14, 2024: Leadership Round Table
December 5, 2024: Volunteer at Nebraska Diaper Bank  
January 16, 2025: Meet the Chancellor 
February 15 or 22, 2025: Alumni Night on the Court   
March 6, 2025: UNO Biomechanics Lab Tour 
April 26, 2025: Serve UNO Day  
May 1, 2025: UNO Young Alumni Academy Class of 2025 Graduation 

UNO Young Alumni Academy Class of 2025 Application 

Applications are now open for the 14th UNO Young Alumni Academy! Apply today to participate in this prestigious professional development program.  

Application Deadline: July 31, 2024 

 

UNO Young Alumni Academy Class of 2024

Victoria Arrowsmith, Vetter Health Services; Mandi Backhaus, The Lerner Company; Alex Bauer, JPalm Hairdressing; Brian Beard, PRC; Sharon Bell, Bellevue Public Schools; Breanne Beutler, Fiserv; Victoria Biodrowski, The Waldinger Corporation; Ellie Brecht, University of Nebraska Foundation; Joshua Clark, IP Pathways; Nancy De Santiago, Nebraska Medicine; Claire DeCoster, Senior Market Sales; Catarina Diego Francisco, UNMC; Tamara Dwyer, City of Omaha; Baylee Eberhart, UNO; Grace Gustafson, Hurrdat; Jared Hall, 3am Luxury; Marina Hand, UNO; Hamza Haqqi, Ed.D., Learnza, LLC; Morgan Hermanek, Community Health Endowment of Lincoln; Jenna Ingram, FORVIS LLP; Austin Kernan, Orion Advisor Solutions; Margaret "Maggie" Koenig, Alvine Engineering; Josie Kratzenstein, Planit Inc.; John Kritenbrink, Novozymes; Daniel Kuchar, Nebraska Business Development Center; Tylynda Lewis, Metropolitan Community College; Karissa Madrigal, Methodist College; Osiris Marquez, Midwest Laboratories; Melissa Martikainen, United States Department of Veteran Affairs; Alan Mauricio Martinez Davalos, UNO Nebraska Business Development Center; Emily Montoya, CommonSpirit Health; Grace Newton, Lee & Associates; Stephanie Niverson, Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers; Iyinfoluwa Oni, Lindsay; Marco Ortiz, American National Bank; Caitlin Osborn, UNO; Erin Pearson, Children's Hospital & Medical Center - Omaha; Nathan Peters, Ease; Maddie Peterson, UNMC; Sarah Rausch, encompas; Jordyn Ready, CSW, Executive Leadership Committee for the Alzheimer’s Association; Karishma Reddy, The International Council for Refugees and Immigrants; Jesse Short, Blend; Hannah Sims Tangeman, Iowa Western Community College and Heartland Family Service; Alecia Steed; QLI and Busy Vegan; Megan Thibodeaux, Department of Defense; Delaney Vaccaro Bednar, UNO; Hannah Velehradsky, Bellevue University; Austin Voigtman, Hancock Dana; Hannah Woodward; Department of Health and Human Services

 
For more information about the Young Alumni Academy, contact Nathan Hankenson, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, at 402-504-3330 or nathan.hankenson@unoalumni.org.

 

Past UNO Young Alumni Academy Members

Nearly 500 alumni have participated in the UNO Young Alumni Academy.

PAST ACADEMY MEMBERS