The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has one of the best entrepreneurship programs in the world. It was recently ranked No. 42 out of hundreds of schools in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe and No. 12 in the Midwest by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine.
A network of programs across the university, the entrepreneurship ecosystem has a tremendous economic impact. Over a 10-year period, graduates created more than 157 businesses, and at least $6.5 million in funding has been raised to support those businesses.
Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management
In 2008, a donation transformed what is now the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, naming it after the co-founder of the Raikes Foundation and former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Raikes School builds future leaders in technology-driven industries through interdisciplinary education in computer science, business, entrepreneurship and innovation. With 155 current students representing 22 unique majors and 19 states, Raikes School students continue to drive innovative solutions that benefit the state of Nebraska and change the world.
Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship
Established more than 35 years ago, the Center for Entrepreneurship prepares students from across campus for entrepreneurial success. Faculty and staff serve as advisers, mentors and collaborators for thousands of students taking entrepreneurship classes and participating in workshops and competitions. They connect students with a local, national and global network from day one, whether they want to pursue their own ideas for a business, dream of owning a franchise or explore their career options. Various donors have contributed to programming and student support that allows for these impactful experiences.
Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program
The late cattleman and entrepreneur Paul Engler provided a $20 million gift to create the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program to cultivate future generations of entrepreneurs and problem-solvers with the goal of growing and sustaining rural communities. The program launched in 2012 to provide experiential, community-based learning to help students build their own enterprises from the ground up. Part of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Engler program helps students discover their entrepreneurial spark and build skills to succeed in the industry and offers events to gain hands-on experiences and make lasting connections.
Clifton Builders Program
The Clifton Builders Program started in 2015 as part of a $30 million gift from Gallup and the Clifton Foundation to establish the Clifton Strengths Institute. The Builders program identifies and develops entrepreneurially minded students from across campus who aspire to change the world by building new businesses, teams or communities. Graduates of the program are now leading startup organizations or attending graduate or law school to further their education. Many are involved in consulting, finance or other aspects of the startup ecosystem.
Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts
The Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts launched in 2015 with a $20 million gift from iconic talk show host Johnny Carson, who hailed from Nebraska. Opening its doors in 2019 as part of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, the Carson Center includes the school’s film and new media curriculum. With close faculty mentoring, students gain a foundational knowledge of storytelling, visual expression, entrepreneurship and computational media.
“We have an outstanding entrepreneurial ecosystem at Nebraska. Our ranking as No. 42 in the world reflects our commitment to fueling the entrepreneurial spirit across the university for all students in any major, so Nebraska graduates are prepared to create the future.”
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