The Academy provides an in-person and online experience dedicated to enhancing the connection and engagement of young alumni with the university. It offers participants exclusive opportunities for professional development, network building with other successful alumni, personal meetings with university leaders and behind-the-scenes access to new campus facilities and initiatives. Members meet monthly for an eight-month period. 

The seven CEHS graduates chosen for the Young Alumni Academy are listed below with their current hometowns, year of graduation and academic major. 

Lincoln 

Ben Bannon ’17, higher education administration 

Katie Coil ’19, hospitality, restaurant and tourism management 

Kaitlin Ferris ’11, child, youth and family studies 

Paige Groetken ’17, nutrition, exercise and health science 

Albany, Oregon 

Thomas Shelly ’15, secondary education (language arts) 

Santa Cruz, California 

Sara Sanchez ’12, higher education administration 

Washington, D.C. 

Scott Jorgenson ’12, secondary education (social sciences), history (College of Arts & Sciences) 

The full list of this year’s Young Alumni Academy class can be found at go.unl.edu/g6ae.