On May 6 we were proud to host the Institute for Innovation and Leadership showcase, a capstone celebration of our inaugural cohort. Over the past year, these standout UNL scholars engaged in a robust experience that blended workshops, industry mentorship, and real-world internships—all designed to cultivate the kind of leaders who aren’t just ready for the workforce of tomorrow, but ready to shape it.
At the showcase, participants took the stage to reflect on their internship journeys in a format that was anything but ordinary. With creativity and confidence, each student shared stories through a fast-paced, quick pitch format spotlighting honest reflections of personal and professional growth through the program.
From bank chambers to classrooms, non-profits to corporate offices, each student brought their own internship story to life—full of lessons learned, challenges overcome, and personal victories that marked their transformation from learners into leaders. The audience laughed, nodded, and felt emotional as students painted vivid portraits of what leadership really looks like in action: listening before leading, adapting before reacting, and showing up with purpose every single day.
We are incredibly proud to recognize the following students for completing the Institute for Innovation and Leadership – 2024-2025:
Kouther Al Ghanemi
Shayla Ath
Maathir Basi
Jathesn Gomez
Jordan Harper
Elizabeth Head
Ayan Hussain
Madalynn Janousek
Mohammed Karkoosh
Shahd Khourshed
Trevor Lesinski
Ruby Ochoa Rojas
Molly Plotnik
Karen Rodriguez
Caroline Smith
Dywan Williams
Jessica Wynne
Congratulations to our first-ever Institute graduates. We can’t wait to see where your leadership takes you next.