Forty first-year students in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Engineering have been chosen to the 2024-25 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 third group for the academy.
The academy seeks to recruit and retain students committed to supporting and advancing women in engineering in Nebraska and to provide students who have financial need with the resources and support to pursue careers in engineering, computing and construction.
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 work of the academy 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.
Beyond developing students individually, the academy will foster an environment in the engineering community at large to increase gender diversity in the workforce and a sense of belonging for women in engineering, computing and construction.
Following is a list of students in the 2024-25 cohort of the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their major. Their primary campus is in parentheses.
- Alliance: Morgan LeMunyan, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Emerson: Brody Krusemark, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Grand Island: Chelsea Betancourt, computer engineering (Omaha)
- Hastings: Bekah Evans, architectural engineering (Omaha)
- La Vista: Owen Betts, civil engineering (Omaha)
- Lexington: Cody Eldridge, chemical engineering (Lincoln)
- Lincoln: Caitlynn Abraham, mechanical engineering (Lincoln); Remy Balderas Izaguirre, civil engineering (Lincoln); Magaly Del Rello, mechanical engineering (Lincoln); Savanna Flores, civil engineering (Lincoln); Stella Hutzler, mechanical engineering (Lincoln); Brianna Jurado Torres, software engineering (Lincoln); Skyler Meinecke, biological systems engineering (Lincoln); Jason Pabian, computer science (Lincoln); Cameron Sailors, civil engineering (Omaha)
- Norfolk: Samantha Rodriguez, computer science (Lincoln)
- O’Neill: Bethany Owens, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
- Omaha: Ayomide Ajayi, pre-mechanical engineering (Omaha); Lauren Buban, civil engineering (Lincoln); Jack Carlson, mechanical engineering (Lincoln); Julia Clausen, computer science (Lincoln); Fatima Davila, environmental engineering (Omaha); Lily Erb, construction management (Omaha); Chloe Fisicaro, software engineering (Lincoln); Maddie George, civil engineering (Lincoln); Yared Kinde, computer science (Lincoln); Sophia Nolan, mechanical engineering (Lincoln); Emmanuel Ogunnaike, software engineering (Lincoln); Mehgan Paulino-Alejandro, computer engineering (Omaha); Chloe Preslar, environmental engineering (Lincoln); Emma Rhode, computer science (Lincoln); Arianna Vasquez-Martinez, construction management (Omaha); Ermias Wolde, computer science (Lincoln)
- Otoe: Lorelei Walters, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
- Papillion: Alivia Aerni, architectural engineering (Omaha); Brock Hoover, civil engineering (Omaha)
- Pleasant Dale: Katie Schmit, mechanical engineering (Lincoln)
- Rising City: Caroline Slama, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
- Roca: Brad Smoyer, architectural engineering (Omaha)
- Schuyler: Ricardo Rosas, biological systems engineering (Lincoln)
The program is funded and developed in partnership with the Peter Kiewit Foundation, a private independent philanthropic trust that has awarded more than $909.27 million in grants and scholarships since its founding in 1979.
The foundation was established by Peter Kiewit, a generous philanthropist and community leader who believed that Omaha was the best place to live in the United States. 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.
