41 students selected for new Raikes School cohort

Forty-one 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 21st cohort in the history of the Raikes School, formerly the J.D. Edwards Honors Program. Cohort 2020 boasts the highest percentage of women in Raikes School history at 44%. The cohort includes nine National Merit finalists, and students represent nine majors across three colleges.

“We continue to see an increase in the number of very qualified high school senior applicants to the Raikes School,” said Steve Cooper, the school’s executive director. “We have a thorough application and interview process to find the right students, those who will succeed in our rigorous academic program and become our next technology and business 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 (99%) have internships for at least two summers 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 53 companies in 18 states. The school’s 2020 graduates will start their careers at 18 companies in eight states and Washington, D.C. Two 2020 graduates will pursue doctoral degrees in engineering at Stanford University and the University of Michigan.

During their first few semesters on campus, Cohort 2020 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.

“The Raikes School Advisory Board is thrilled to welcome the newest cohort,” 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 2021 will open Aug. 1 and be accepted through Dec. 10. Learn more.

Following is a list of students selected to Cohort 2020 by hometown, with high school and planned major(s).

Nebraska:

• Chadron: Jay Milburn (Chadron), computer science
• Elkhorn: Tejaswini Boinpally (Millard North), computer science; Carly Gove (Elkhorn South), computer science; Shivani Mudhelli (Millard North), mathematics
• Gretna: Sophia Hill (Millard West), actuarial science; Samuel Ingledue (Gretna), software engineering
• Lincoln: Dylan Chapin (Lincoln East), computer science and mathematics; Jessica Chen (Lincoln East), actuarial science; Luke Farritor (home school), computer science; Nicholas McElroy (Pius X), computer engineering; Pranav Rajan (Lincoln East), finance and computer science; Prema Vasudevan (Lincoln Southwest), computer science
• Louisville: Blake Simpleman (Platteview), software engineering
• Norfolk: Kellen Carney (Norfolk Catholic), business administration
• Omaha: Tristan Curd (Creighton Prep), computer science; Walden Holbeck (Omaha Central), computer science; Clare Kramper (Duchesne Academy), computer science; Emma Mirnics (Millard North), computer science; Carl Olson (Millard North), computer science; Paul Owens (Creighton Prep), mechanical engineering; Bridget Peterkin (Millard North), computer science; Hannah Pokharel (Millard South), computer science; Jayden Rocha (Omaha Marian), finance; Maci Wilson (Omaha Central), computer science
• Ord: Cooper Sheets (Ord), computer science
• Papillion: Dylan Araujo (Bellevue West), software engineering
• Waverly: Lauren Kasparek (Waverly), computer science

Elsewhere:

• Arlington Heights, Illinois: Maximilian Radlicz (Prospect), computer science
• Crystal Lake, Illinois: William Anderson (Prairie Ridge), mechanical engineering
• Orland Park, Illinois: Elizabeth Kenes (Carl Sandburg), actuarial science; Alexander Miller (Carl Sandburg), actuarial science
• Washington, Illinois: Joshua Madsen (Washington Community), actuarial science
• Lenexa, Kansas: Evan Melchior (St. James Academy), computer science
• Olathe, Kansas: Trinity Mozingo (Olathe North), computer science
• Overland Park, Kansas: Ryan Brown (Blue Valley), computer science; Tate Kiehn (Blue Valley North), management
• Stilwell, Kansas: Samuel DeZube (Blue Valley), software engineering
• Ellicott City, Maryland: Angeline Luther (Mount Hebron), computer science
• Eden Prairie, Minnesota: Blake Branvold (Eden Prairie), software engineering
• Minneapolis, Minnesota: Elizabeth Weber (Convent of the Visitation), computer engineering
• Bern, Switzerland: Mitra Vajjala (IS Bern), computer science