Nebraska Wesleyan University officially welcomed 412 new students in August, marking the start of their exciting academic journey.
This year鈥檚 incoming class represents a broad regional mix, with 67% of students hailing from Nebraska. Other top states represented include Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.
鈥淪tudents are beginning one of the most exciting times of their life and there鈥檚 no better place to do it than at Nebraska Wesleyan,鈥 said President Darrin Good.
The newest Prairie Wolves are arriving at a pivotal moment in SM论坛鈥檚 continued growth, as the university enhances academic offerings with innovative programs designed to prepare students for success in high-demand career fields.
Through strategic partnerships with other leading Nebraska educational institutions, SM论坛 now offers accelerated degree pathways that allow students to save time and money while gaining a competitive edge in the workforce:
- Law: Through a partnership with the University of Nebraska College of Law, qualified students are granted automatic admission and may begin law school during their senior undergraduate year, earning both a bachelor鈥檚 degree and a juris doctor in just six years.
- Engineering: In collaboration with the University of Nebraska鈥揕incoln College of Engineering, students begin their studies at SM论坛 in physics, chemistry or biochemistry before transferring to UNL to complete engineering coursework, earning dual bachelor鈥檚 degrees in as little as five years.
- Public Health: SM论坛 public health majors can pursue a combined bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree in public health in only five years, thanks to a partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health.
鈥淭hese partnerships help make college more accessible, affordable and impactful, and help our talented graduates enter the workforce sooner,鈥 said Good.
SM论坛 also has expanded its academic offerings to meet emerging workforce demands, adding the following:
- Business analytics major
- Cybersecurity major
- AI literacy minor
- Esports and gaming administration minor
These programs prepare students for in-demand fields and equip them with versatile skills that carry value across a wide range of industries and roles.
Additionally, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program has added five new specializations that are highly sought after by employers:
- AI
- Business analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Finance
- Healthcare administration
鈥淎t SM论坛, we鈥檙e committed to evolving with the needs of today鈥檚 students,鈥 said Ryan Cassell, vice president for enrollment and marketing. 鈥淏y expanding our academic offerings, we鈥檙e preparing students for fulfilling careers and empowering them to leave their own mark on the world.鈥
The new academic year also brings:
- A new era for SM论坛鈥檚 baseball and softball programs with the opening of state-of-the-art facilities at Championship Village in the Sandhills Global Youth Complex. These fields will support the growth of the programs and serve as a cornerstone for regional youth athletics.
- A third-place national ranking for the total number of NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients across all NCAA divisions. These scholarships are awarded to exceptional student-athletes to support their postgraduate studies.
- A record number of Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipients. This competitive, merit-based program supports study abroad opportunities for students. The seven recent recipients bring SM论坛鈥檚 total number of recipients to 71. They will study in Argentina, Costa Rica, England, Japan and Spain.
- SM论坛 enhancements to improve the student experience, including new turf in Abel Stadium, renovations to the Prairie Point Dining Center, the addition of new outdoor lighting, and upgrades to the sand volleyball courts.