For the first time ever, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has taken a place among the world's top universities for fostering entrepreneurship.
UNL was ranked as the 42nd-best university in the world and the 12th best in the Midwest on a ranking undergraduate entrepreneurship programs.
It's the first time the university has cracked the top 50 of the list, which is compiled from a survey of nearly 300 schools that looks at more than 25 data points about the schools’ entrepreneurship programs, faculties, students and alumni.
Sam Nelson, director of the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship, said entrepreneurship is something that UNL promotes throughout the campus.
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“That's one of the things we're really proud (of) is I think Nebraska does a great job of breaking down the typical silos, getting students from different colleges to work together and really pursue entrepreneurship and learn about the entrepreneurial mindset,†Nelson said.
At the university, 92 of the 120 majors at the university have students who take entrepreneurship classes, according to a . These courses are offered by different colleges and supported by multiple university centers.
Within the College of Business, the Center for Entrepreneurship works with students and offers scholarship programs. At the center, university faculty and staff act as advisers to students in entrepreneurship classes.
The center also offers $1,000 scholarships and mentorship to cohorts of students in its Entrepreneurship Catalysts program for first-year students and Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator, according to the .
They also host university-wide competitions like the , where students pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for prize money.
The university also has programs like the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, which focuses on entrepreneurs growing rural communities, and the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, which teaches entrepreneurship and storytelling through mentorship.
The Clifton Builders Program offers a management major and minor for students who are selected, and the Jeffery S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management has an interdisciplinary approach to business and computer science.
During the survey submission process, a Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship collaborative effort found that UNL awards more than $357,000 annually to entrepreneurs through competitions and scholarships, according to a university press release.
In the review, Nelson said the university also discovered that a higher percentage of students started businesses than expected.
“That was probably the biggest aha moment for me, was just to see the number of students that have started businesses, and that those businesses are still in existence,†Nelson said.
Megan Elliott, founding director of the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, where entrepreneurship classes are part of the program, said she thinks the ranking will strengthen people’s perceptions of the university.
“I think some people will be surprised,†Elliott said. “Perhaps it's not their perception of Nebraska as being so entrepreneurial when we are, and I think it'll serve as a great recruitment tool.â€
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Top Journal Star photos for November 2024
Iris Gonnerman, 8 (from right), her brother Oliver, 6, and cousin Noreen Milana, 9, wave flags while watching Veterans Parade outside the state Capitol on Sunday.
Nebraska's Connor Essegian scores against Bethune-Cookma on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Lutheran players embrace one another as threy celebrate defeating Thayer Central in four sets to win the Class C-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Covered by a canopy of changing leaves, a car cruises along A street in a neighborhood north of Downtown Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Mild temperatures continue into the mid weeks of November. Wednesday calls for a chance of rain showers before noon with gusty winds. Most days this week are expected to be accompanied by mostly sunny skies and consistent breezes.
Norris' Anna Jelinek (left) lifts the the Class B championship trophy alongside Rya Borer on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Superior players celebrate their three set win over EMF during the Class D-1 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Reflected in a ceiling beam, Leyton takes on Shelton in the first set of the Class D-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Omaha Skutt's Nicole Ott (left) and Addison West react after a point in the second set during a Class B semifinal match Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Hasan Khalil, owner of Golden Scissors, trims the beard of Vitaliy Martynyuk on Friday at his barbershop in Lincoln.
Southwest fans Kylea Stritt (from left), Peg Rice, and Stacey Wilson cheer on their team as the "horsemen" during a Class D-1 first-round match Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Millard West players dogpile on the floor after defeating Lincoln Southwest in five set match during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Southwest's Shelby Harding dives to save the ball from hitting the ground in the first set during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Second graders Eli Gonzalez (left) and Shrutoshome Datta look at drawings that first and second grade students made at the Monster Jam Art Show on Wednesday at Elliott Elementary School. The elementary school students made drawings of monsters to be turned into different types of art by Lincoln High School students.
Norris players celebrate a point against Lincoln Pius X in a Class B state volleyball tournament match, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Katie Goeling (left) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center.
Nebraska's Rollie Worster (24) shoots a layup while defended by Texas Rio Grande Valley's Marshal Destremau (left) and Trey Miller (right) during the first half of the game on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) autographs a poster for Freeman Public Schools student Godwil Muthiani, 12 (center), after the game against UNO on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Muthiani's sign says, "#3 Allison Weinder is the GOAT! Sorry I'm only 12."
Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule speaks to an official after a targeting call on Nebraska during the first quarter of the game against UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. The call was overturned after review.
Nebraska's Dante Dowdell scores against UCLA in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Cadet Elena Burgwald (left) and Cadet Mason Beck look up as a B-1B Lancer flies over Memorial Stadium before the UCLA game against Nebraska on Saturday.
UCLA's K.J. Wallace (7) defends Nebraska's Jacory Barney (17) as he makes a diving 40-yard catch in the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Lincoln Southeast quarterback Tre Bollen (left) and Tate Sandman react after losing a Class A football playoff game against Millard North on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Seacrest Field. Millard North won 10-3.
After the field clears, Norris' Jarrett Behrends (17) kicks his helmet after the Titans fell to Waverly 16-17 in a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
A line of people waiting to vote has been normal at the Lancaster County Election Commission Office at 601 N. 46th St., as it was Friday afternoon. The office will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to allow voters to cast an early ballot. If they wait until Election Day, they will need to go to their precinct or drop off their ballots at one of five drop boxes across the city. For more stories about about Tuesday's election, go to .
