Forty first-year students in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Engineering have been chosen to the 2025-26 cohort of the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy.
The new cohort includes students on the college’s campuses in Lincoln and Omaha and is the fourth group for the academy.
The academy provides students with resources and support to pursue careers in engineering, computing and construction, shaping the future workforce of Nebraska.
Academy students receive a scholarship that covers full tuition and fees and may receive funding for a fifth year on a case-by-case basis. The scholarship also covers students’ housing and meals for up to four years in a University Housing residence. Academy students have a common living experience during their first two years in the program, enroll in cohort-specific freshman and sophomore seminars, and receive success coaching from dedicated program staff. Students also receive a $600 book stipend to the university bookstore and a laptop for their studies.
The academy’s work is grounded in the Complete Engineer, a College of Engineering initiative designed to ensure students participate in experiential learning in tandem with the technical expertise provided by a Big Ten degree.
Following is a list of students in the 2025-26 cohort of the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their major. Their primary campus is in parentheses.
Alliance:
- Jarron Santos, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
Aurora:
- Brady Goertzen, architectural engineering (Omaha)
Beatrice:
- Lydia Montag, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
Elkhorn:
- Esha Vadde, computer science (Lincoln)
- Argos Zhang, computer science (Lincoln)
Fremont:
- Emely Garcia, chemical engineering (Lincoln)
Grand Island:
- Addy Duering, architectural engineering (Omaha)
- Noah Fischer, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Claire Gartner, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Olivia Madison, environmental engineering (Lincoln)
Gretna:
- Isabella Worner, architectural engineering (Omaha)
Kearney:
- Ryanne Schneider, software engineering (Lincoln)
Lexington:
- Tatiana Guerrero-López, architectural engineering (Omaha)
- Paola Ortiz-Ibarra, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Dominek Villalon, architectural engineering (Omaha)
Lincoln:
- Adebayo Beyioku, computer engineering (Lincoln)
- Mackenzie Bolton, electrical engineering (Lincoln)
- Gabi Portales-Mendoza, construction engineering (Lincoln)
- Braxton Stuart, electrical engineering (Lincoln)
- Olivia Sulzle, architectural engineering (Omaha)
- Soren Vesely, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Izzy Zoucha, electrical engineering (Lincoln)
Louisville:
- Nola Nelson, architectural engineering (Omaha)
Norfolk:
- Jadon Woznek, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
Omaha:
- Jaedyn Colman, computer science (Lincoln)
- Uyen Dinh, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Binodini Ganeshkumar, computer science (Lincoln)
- Jason Gaskin, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Salsabiel Khair Allah, architectural engineering (Omaha)
- Nura Maharjan, computer engineering (Omaha)
- Tamilore Omomeji, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
- Marisa Powell, civil engineering (Lincoln)
- Maya Rodgers, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
- Moo Law La Soe, software engineering (Lincoln)
- Jack Sweet-Bemer, construction management (Lincoln)
- Macy Sweet-Bemer, computer science (Lincoln)
- Ashleigh Walls, architectural engineering (Omaha)
- Tyler Witt, architectural engineering (Omaha)
Papillion:
- Iyah Aguer, civil engineering (Lincoln)
Plattsmouth:
- Ember Hemmer, environmental engineering (Lincoln)
The program is funded and developed in partnership with Peter Kiewit Foundation, a private independent philanthropic trust that has awarded more than $750 million in grants and scholarships since its founding in 1979.
The foundation was established by Peter Kiewit, a generous philanthropist and community leader. He attributed his success to the hardworking people of Nebraska and was determined to return his wealth and good fortune to its communities. After thoughtful planning throughout his lifetime, the bulk of his personal estate was set aside upon his death to create a foundation to support charitable and public purpose projects in Nebraska and other limited geographic areas. The foundation is not legally or administratively affiliated with the operating companies that also bear Peter Kiewit’s name.
For more information on the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy, click here.
