Nebraska

Nebraska on course to offer every grad a hands-on, real-world experience

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

Nebraska on course to offer every grad a hands-on, real-world experience

A growing wave of University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduates are gaining hands-on, real-world experiences that are preparing them for career success.

Ask Ella Humphrey, who waded knee deep through Nebraska waterways collecting shiners to advance a natural resources study.

Check out Dillon Galloway’s work, shot patrolling sidelines armed with cameras, honing his photography talents in support of Husker Athletics.

Review designs made by architecture students who partnered with Nebraska Game and Parks to develop concepts for a Niobrara State Park visitors center.

Be inspired by Sukaina Al-Hamedi, who aimed for the stars (and beyond) to complete four intensive NASA programs before graduation.

These once unique experiences are becoming the norm for Huskers as the university aligns to meet its N2025 strategic goal to offer every undergraduate a documented experiential learning opportunity before graduation.

“Our students are engaged in hands-on learning across all disciplines, and we have no shortage of opportunities available,” said Amy Goodburn, senior associate vice chancellor and dean of undergraduate education. “We expect to meet this goal by 2026 — which we had to delay a year due to impacts from COVID-19.”

To meet the goal, the university’s nine colleges have aligned with the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor to track and (in many instances) expand the experiential learning opportunities offered. To date, 3,140 students in cohorts from fall 2022 and 2023 have completed a hands-on offering — which includes more than a third of the class of 2026.

“As of the fall 2023 semester, 446 students have taken at least two different experiential learning experiences,” Goodburn said. “Fifty have taken at least three and two have taken four.

“Our students are buying in and taking as many opportunities as they can in pursuit of their degrees.”

The growing list of experiences is available on the EVC website and divided by type, ranging from study abroad opportunities and internships to community engagement and leadership offerings.

Colleges are committed to offering experiential learning opportunities sooner, allowing students to gain experiences and decide if their chosen academic path truly aligns with their passions. An example of this is the College of Journalism and Mass Communications’ Experience Lab, which is offering students the chance to “do from day one.”

Launched in 2021, the Experience Lab offers a range of opportunities for students to learn about the industry — from a student-led ad agency that works with real-world clients, to a news service that provides news to publications statewide.

In their first semester on campus, students in the college explore professional interests for four to six hours each week in at least one Experience Lab program. The students are required to take part in the program for three semesters, earning three credit hours while developing industry skills.

“The idea is to offer our students the chance to experiment, play and — hopefully — fall in love with a career in journalism. Or this gives them an immediate opportunity to figure out this field is not for them,” said Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communication. “Our Experience Lab is really an opportunity for students to figure out their passions and start pursuing them from day one in their college career.”

The program has proven popular, growing steadily in each semester offered. It currently has some 330 students enrolled, with 400-plus expected in fall 2023.

“We have students volunteering in the lab, not taking it for credit, but who are there to develop different skills,” Veil said. “And, we have a number of students from other majors coming to us to gain these experiences.”

Other unique experiential opportunities available to students across the university include master classes with world-class performers via the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts; community-impacting design/builds in the College of Architecture; entrepreneurial ventures in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; global explorations in the College of Business; industry-leading internships in the College of Engineering; case-based learning in the College of Education and Human Sciences; serving as research assistants for renowned faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences; and working with clients in clinics offered by the College of Law.

“Experiential learning has truly become a strategic focus at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln,” Goodburn said. “We are preparing our students to be world ready, to have the skills they need to excel in their career fields and benefit communities across Nebraska, the nation and world.”

Read more about University of Nebraska–Lincoln students’ hands-on learning experiences in Nebraska Today.

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Nebraska

Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

Published

4 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds... — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

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Nebraska

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

Published

16 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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