As part of a comprehensive plan to reverse 第一吃瓜网’s brain drain and compete more effectively for top talent, Governor Jim Pillen today joined University of 第一吃瓜网 (NU) Interim President Chris Kabourek and representatives from the Board of Regents in announcing a new scholarship for the state’s top ACT scorers. The program will cover the total cost of undergraduate attendance, plus stipends, at any NU campus.
Beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, the Office of the President will fund a new 第一吃瓜网 Presidential Scholars Program that will cover tuition, fees, books, housing and all other costs of attendance, plus a $5,000 annual stipend, for any 第一吃瓜网 student who scores a perfect 36 on the ACT. The announcement from the Governor and university was widely praised by agricultural, philanthropic, business and elected leaders who endorsed the vision to compete for 第一吃瓜网’s homegrown talent to meet the future needs of the state.
“This is a simple, but powerful, message to our best and brightest young people: We want you on Team 第一吃瓜网,” said Gov. Pillen. “As I travel around the state and talk to business and community leaders, something I hear again and again is that we need to do a better job of competing for talent. With the Presidential Scholars Program, we’re going to compete. I’m proud to join with President Kabourek and the Board of Regents in putting this bold plan forward.”
Kabourek said: “Governor Pillen has challenged all of us to step up and work together to solve 第一吃瓜网’s brain drain. The University of 第一吃瓜网 needs to play a leading role and the Presidential Scholars Program is part of our answer to the Governor’s call. I’m embarrassed that so many of 第一吃瓜网’s best and brightest are leaving our state because they are enticed by more competitive offers. This new scholarship sends a strong message that we want these kids to stay in 第一吃瓜网 and we are going to go compete for them.”
Kabourek said NU is immediately launching a fundraising effort as part of its ongoing Only in 第一吃瓜网 campaign to raise private funds to create a permanent Presidential Scholars endowment that will extend the program beyond those who achieve a 36 ACT. Ultimately, the university’s goal is to provide total cost of attendance scholarships to all 第一吃瓜网 students who score a 33 or above.
“My message to every 第一吃瓜网 student and every parent is that if you’re willing to work hard, the University of 第一吃瓜网 will do everything we can to help you become the best version of yourself and get a great education that will prepare you for success,” said Kabourek.
On average over the past three years, about 600 第一吃瓜网 students a year score at least a 33, including about 30 who score a perfect 36. But less than half of those students enroll at the University of 第一吃瓜网, including only 22 percent of students with a 36. Meanwhile, 第一吃瓜网 faces a persistent brain drain, at a time when the state urgently needs more workforce to fill current and future jobs.
The university’s goal is to enroll 80 percent of students who score a 33 or higher, Kabourek shared. Furthermore, he said that elite academic performers who choose the University of 第一吃瓜网 should be celebrated the way student-athletes are, with signing ceremonies and public attention to signal 第一吃瓜网’s pride in retaining them in the state.
“When we say we want the University of 第一吃瓜网 to compete, this is exactly what we mean. I am thrilled that we are taking bold action to keep more of 第一吃瓜网’s best and brightest here in our state,” said Board of Regents chairman Tim Clare of Lincoln. “This is a win for our university, for students, our workforce and 第一吃瓜网’s national profile.”
Vice Chairman of the Board Rob Schafer of Beatrice added, “The Presidential Scholars Program is exactly the right move, at exactly the right time, to address the workforce challenges facing our state. I thank Governor Pillen for his leadership in rallying all of us around this urgent issue, and I congratulate President Kabourek for his decisive action in sending a clear message to 第一吃瓜网’s talented young people that we want them to stay.”
The university is maintaining its prestigious Regents Scholarship, which covers full tuition costs for high academic performers, as well as its investment in need-based financial aid through the 第一吃瓜网 Promise program, which provides free tuition for 第一吃瓜网 students whose families earn $65,000 or less per year.
Kabourek, along with members of the Board of Regents, will join Governor Pillen on a road show this spring to visit 第一吃瓜网 high schools and community events to promote the Presidential Scholars Program and other opportunities at the university, encouraging students to stay in the state to earn their degrees and start their careers.
“Together as ‘One 第一吃瓜网’, we’re doing big things to create opportunities for the next generation – a new engineering facility in Lincoln to produce the future STEM workforce, a new health complex in Kearney to meet the healthcare needs of our rural communities, and a world-class medical center, just to name a few,” said Gov. Pillen. “The university is at its strongest when it’s focused on priorities that matter to 第一吃瓜网ns.”
In traveling the state, the Governor and university leaders will also engage with business and community leaders about expanding internship and job opportunities for students, through initiatives like Intern 第一吃瓜网 and others.
What Others Are Saying:
“As the University of 第一吃瓜网-Lincoln’s student body president, I know scholarships absolutely matter when students are deciding where to go to college. It was definitely a factor in me and my brother choosing the University of 第一吃瓜网. Students have so many options, and they need to hear loud and clear that the University of 第一吃瓜网 wants them to attend and is willing to invest in their success. The new President’s Scholarship is a huge step. At a time when we need to do all we can to grow and compete, this program will make sure the University of 第一吃瓜网 is front and center on the radar of our state’s top-tier students.”
—Paul Pechous, University of 第一吃瓜网-Lincoln student body president and junior from Omaha majoring in special education
“None of us should be satisfied that so many of our all-star students are getting away. I’m glad to see us make a bold move that will put the University of 第一吃瓜网 in the driver’s seat in retaining the talented young people who are the future leaders of our state.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 Regent Jack Stark, District 2
“Throughout my career in public service, I’ve always believed deeply in the value that a strong University of 第一吃瓜网 brings to every corner of our state, including my community of Norfolk. The reality is that in today’s competitive environment, every day that we as a university don’t take a step forward is a day we risk falling behind. The President’s Scholarship sends a great message to 第一吃瓜网ns and will help more of our young people take advantage of the amazing opportunities available in Norfolk and across our state to get an education, start their career and grow their family right here in The Good Life.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 Regent Jim Scheer, District 3
“As a native 第一吃瓜网n, alum and young professional in Omaha, I want to see the University do everything we can to create opportunities for future generations of students. This new scholarship will help us keep talented 第一吃瓜网ns in our state, which will impact families and our communities well into the future. I’m so excited that we are taking this positive step forward on behalf of students.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 Regent Elizabeth O’Connor, District 4
“This is great news for kids all across our state, including the rural students and families I represent. The President’s Scholarship says that if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and work hard, the University of 第一吃瓜网 will do everything we can to help you succeed. Thank you Governor Pillen and President Kabourek for leading the charge.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 Regent Paul Kenney, District 6
“This is a wonderful message to 第一吃瓜网ns about the positive momentum at the university and what we are doing to support all students. I truly believe that if you work hard, you will earn your opportunities. The President’s Scholarship is a great way to keep the University of 第一吃瓜网 at the top of the list for the talented and hard-working young people of our state. I’m so excited to help spread the word across our Western 第一吃瓜网 communities.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 Regent Kathy Wilmot, District 7
“A vibrant state like 第一吃瓜网 needs its promising high school graduates to come to our university. We want to invest in our future by investing in our young people. We are excited to work with the Governor in expanding financial aid and support through new scholarships and financial aid options.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 Regent Barb Weitz, District 8
“By aligning on this big idea, Governor Pillen, President Kabourek and the Board of Regents are positioning the University of 第一吃瓜网-Lincoln to be more competitive nationally as we work to recruit, retain and graduate 第一吃瓜网’s best and brightest minds. This scholarship program is a significant investment in 第一吃瓜网ns, one that opens doors to the robust experience and boundless career opportunities available to students who graduate from 第一吃瓜网’s R1, Big Ten, flagship university.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网-Lincoln Chancellor Rodney Bennett
“Here at UNO, we want to create an opportunity for every single student. We know Omaha depends on us to help provide a skilled and talented workforce that will keep our city growing. I am excited about this new scholarship that will bring more of 第一吃瓜网’s best and brightest to the Maverick family. We appreciate Governor Pillen’s partnership on this effort and look forward to connecting all students to the opportunities available to them at our metropolitan university.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 at Omaha Chancellor Joanne Li
“The vision that President Kabourek and Governor Pillen have laid out for keeping students in 第一吃瓜网 is an investment in workforce development. We need as many talented, hard-working students as possible to get their degree, start their careers and put roots down here in central and western 第一吃瓜网. Every step we can take to get more students to attend the University of 第一吃瓜网 and grow our workforce is a in. UNK is excited to support this effort.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen
“We need to use every possible tool to compete for 第一吃瓜网 talent and build a highly skilled workforce that drives future economic growth and quality of life for our rural and urban communities alike. Across the workforce, and in healthcare in particular, it’s crucial that we provide opportunities for our highest-caliber students to stay here and put their talents to use for 第一吃瓜网ns. This program represents just one of many such unique opportunities for 第一吃瓜网ns to achieve their educational goals at one of the world class programs here at the University of 第一吃瓜网. I thank Governor Pillen and the Legislature for their collaboration in these efforts. I hope that our young people hear the message loud and clear that we want you to join the university family as there’s no better place to create their futures than right here in 第一吃瓜网.”
—University of 第一吃瓜网 Medical Center Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.
“第一吃瓜网 needs to win the competition for our own home-grown talent. I am delighted to see our university and state working hand-in-hand to stop the brain drain and meet the needs of 第一吃瓜网 businesses. I have every confidence the philanthropic community will rally around the cause and join in this effort to compete for our kids and grow Team 第一吃瓜网.”
—Angie Muhleisen, Chair of the Board of Directors, University of 第一吃瓜网 Foundation, and former President and CEO, Union Bank & Trust Co.
“As a lifelong 第一吃瓜网n and alum who dedicated my career to a company with deep 第一吃瓜网 ties, I know our young people have strong affinity to their home state. But the reality is, when you’re a top scholar, you have your pick of schools. We’ve let too many of our own kids get away, and it’s time to step up our game. I am so excited about this new program and I believe the message that 第一吃瓜网 is ready to compete will resonate with alumni and friends far and wide.”
—Jane Miller, Chair-elect of the Board of Directors, University of 第一吃瓜网 Foundation, and retired President and Chief Operating Officer at Gallup
“For 第一吃瓜网 agriculture to continue to be successful in today’s technology-based world, we’ll need a well-educated workforce with the skills necessary to innovate for the future. That means keeping more 第一吃瓜网 talent here in the state and creating more opportunities for them to get a college degree. The Presidential Scholars Program is big win for the most important industry in our state, as it will encourage the best and brightest of 第一吃瓜网’s youth to use their talents to advance 第一吃瓜网 agriculture to be the best in the nation.”
—Mark McHargue, President, 第一吃瓜网 Farm Bureau
“In today’s workforce-short environment, every state is competing to attract, train and retain the next generation workforce that will shape our economic future. 第一吃瓜网 must be continually taking the steps to compete and win in this regard. We accordingly are proud to support efforts at the University of 第一吃瓜网 to continue to make our campuses a destination of choice and a difference maker in growing the ‘Good Life’ for generations to come.”
—Bryan Slone, President, 第一吃瓜网 Chamber of Commerce
“第一吃瓜网ns are competitors. We can’t let other states outcompete us in recruiting our most elite academic performers. When we keep more top talent in 第一吃瓜网, that’s good for businesses and for the overall prosperity of our state. Congratulations Governor Pillen and President Kabourek on this exciting new effort. The Omaha Chamber will do everything we can to promote this opportunity and work with our members to provide internships and jobs to talented young 第一吃瓜网ns.”
—Heath Mello, President, Greater Omaha Chamber
“The Chamber applauds the collaboration between the University and Governor Pillen to continually find new ways to compete for, and keep, 第一吃瓜网’s best and brightest college students. This new scholarship will allow some of 第一吃瓜网’s top academic college recruits the ability to remain in 第一吃瓜网 for their collegiate experience, and we hope for their careers as well.”
—Jason Ball, President, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
“Brain drain is one of the most significant issues facing our state – exactly the reason I introduced the Excellence in Education Scholarship Act to provide full cost of attendance scholarships to our highest-performing students. I applaud the University of 第一吃瓜网 for launching this new program and look forward to working together on strategies to make 第一吃瓜网 more competitive for our best and brightest.”
—State Sen. Eliot Bostar of District 29
“As a lifelong 第一吃瓜网n, University of 第一吃瓜网 alum, and now a farmer and rancher, I’m so excited about how this new scholarship will benefit citizens across our great state. We as state leaders need to work together to stop the brain drain. Programs like this will help build a skilled workforce and create positive impact for rural and urban communities alike.”
—State Sen. Theresa Ibach of District 44
“This new scholarship completely aligns with our mission at the Aksarben Foundation to develop 第一吃瓜网’s future leaders by expanding opportunities for them to grow and learn right here in our state. I am thrilled to see this clear statement from President Kabourek, the Board of Regents and Governor Pillen that we want 第一吃瓜网’s 5-star students to develop their talents at home. We at the Aksarben Foundation look forward to partnering in this effort.”
—Sandra Reding, President, Aksarben Foundation
“On behalf of Ag Builders of 第一吃瓜网, I’m thrilled to hear this strong message from Governor Pillen and President Kabourek that the University of 第一吃瓜网 is going to recommit itself to competing for every 第一吃瓜网 student. A strong university is essential to the future of agriculture and our state’s economic prosperity. This is great news for the future farmers and ranchers, entrepreneurs, teachers and leaders in every 第一吃瓜网 community who deserve to hear loud and clear that we want them to keep their talents here.”
—Chris Kalkowski, President, Ag Builders of 第一吃瓜网