39 students selected for new Raikes School cohort

Thirty-nine recent high school graduates have been selected to join the latest cohort of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management.

This will be the 22nd cohort in the history of the Raikes School, formerly the J.D. Edwards Honors Program. Cohort 2021 boasts 13 National Merit Finalists and a National Hispanic Scholar. The students represent 10 states and 18 Nebraska high schools. They are pursuing eight majors across three colleges.

“In the past year, we were required to recruit and interview this cohort completely remotely,” said Steve Cooper, the school’s executive director. “We are looking forward to finally getting to meet this talented group of students in person and integrate them into the Raikes School community. We are optimistic that this next year will be one with more face-to-face collaboration, engagement and fun as we work collectively to develop the next group of business and technology leaders.”

Students in the Raikes School live and learn together in the Kauffman Academic Residential Center, participating in a variety of classes and experiences that make them well-rounded candidates for internships, full-time positions and graduate school. Most Raikes School students (95%) complete three or more internships, and all have jobs or are accepted into graduate school within three months of graduation. This summer, Raikes School students are interning or completing research with 45 companies in 13 states. The school’s 2021 graduates will start their careers at 24 companies in 14 states.

During their first few semesters on campus, Cohort 2021 will complete coursework in areas such as computer science, software engineering, data science, economics, finance, leadership and communications. Additionally, in their first semester, they will take part in a unique freshmen seminar designed to help them navigate the college experience and prepare for future semesters, as well as recognize and utilize their strengths. During their third and fourth years, students will participate in Design Studio, the capstone experience of the Raikes School. In Design Studio, student teams work with industry partners to create innovative solutions to complex real-world problems. Design Studio students receive mentorship from industry professionals while developing leadership, project management, analytical and communication skills. In their senior year, students also participate in a seminar course led primarily by Raikes School alumni who share their wisdom on navigating life after college.

“College admissions were greatly altered by the pandemic, and in that context we, the Raikes School Advisory Board, feel especially excited to welcome Cohort 2021,” said Reshma Khilnani, advisory board chair, software engineer and entrepreneur in San Francisco. “The Raikes School is an incredible educational experience, where top students get a unique opportunity to work and learn together using a carefully designed program that intentionally fuses technology and business.”

Applications for Cohort 2022 will open Aug. 15 and be accepted through Nov. 15. Learn more.

Following is a list of students selected to Cohort 2021 by hometown, with high school and planned major(s).

Nebraska:

Bellevue:

• Ellenna Divingnzzo (Papillion-La Vista South), software engineering

Cozad:

• Landry Geiger (Cozad), computer science

Elkhorn:

• Clara Glock (Marian), computer science

Fremont:

• Emily Nau (Fremont), actuarial science

Gothenburg:

• Seth Daup (Gothenburg), computer engineering

Hershey:

• Brooke Bode (Hershey), mechanical engineering

Kearney:

• Charlie Brockmeier (Kearney), computer science

Lincoln:

• Gowrav Ghatamaneni (Lincoln Southwest), computer science
• Ealynn Hsu (Lincoln East), computer science and music
• Kyana Le (Lincoln East), electrical engineering
• Tan Phan (Lincoln North Star), software engineering and mathematics
• Caden Punteney (Lincoln Pius X), computer science

Omaha:

• Victoria Chin (Westside), computer science
• Joshua Feng (Millard West), computer science
• Aditya Jain (Millard North), computer science
• Chase Kling (Millard North), actuarial science
• Chaitra Pirisingula (Millard North), computer science
• Shruti Pradeep (Millard North), electrical engineering
• Jack Smiley (Elkhorn South), computer science
• Karson Swartzbaugh (Omaha North), mechanical engineering
• Natalia Trejo Andalon (Burke), software engineering

Sidney:

• Adarsha Ganesan (Sidney), software engineering

Elsewhere:

Phoenix, Arizona:

• Bethany Barnwell (Xavier College Prep), computer science

Highlands Ranch, Colorado:

• Jace Ruth (Valor Christian), computer science

St. Charles, Illinois:

• Spencer Godina (St. Charles East), computer science
• Cole Miller (St. Charles North), computer science

Wauconda, Illinois:

• Roy Dumblauskas (Mundelein), computer science

Grimes, Iowa:

• Emma Wagner (Dallas Center Grimes), actuarial science

Otley, Iowa:

• Vaughn Thompson (Pella Community), computer science

Rock Valley, Iowa:

• John Post (Rock Valley), computer science

Lenexa, Kansas:

• Zach Wallenburg (Shawnee Mission West), software engineering

Minneapolis, Kansas:

• Brendan Shanks (Minneapolis), actuarial science

Overland Park, Kansas:

• Jay Selzer (Shawnee Mission South), computer science
• Carina Swanson (Shawnee Mission South), computer science

Salina, Kansas:

• Reed McHenry (Salina Central), finance

Maple Grove, Minnesota:

• William Hammann (Maple Grove), electrical engineering

Wentzville, Missouri:

• Madelyn Craft (Timberland), actuarial science

Jamestown, North Carolina:

• Grace Boguslawski (Southwest Guilford), software engineering

Worthington, Ohio:

• Beth Littman (Metro Early College), mechanical engineering