Boeing grant advances engineering Inclusion Scholars Programs cohorts

By Phil Carter

I’m proud the grant will help remove barriers to education for deserving students.

Stu Voboril Vice President and Program Manager for Boeing’s P-8A program

Thanks to generous financial support from Boeing, multiple academic and mentorship programs aimed at inclusion and retention of engineering students will continue to expand at the College of Engineering.

Last year, Boeing awarded a $22,500 grant to the College of Engineering, which they more than tripled by awarding $75,000. Boeing directed these gifts to scholarships and program support of the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) and Women in Engineering Program (WIE), the college’s Inclusion Scholars Programs. The gift will also benefit the UNL Aerospace Club.

“I’m proud the grant will help remove barriers to education for deserving students,” said Stu Voboril, an alum of the College of Engineering with a degree in electrical engineering, who is vice president and program manager for Boeing’s P-8A program.

“The funds provided by Boeing allow us to direct structural support to students so they can focus on their academics,” said Jen Skidmore, M.A., director of student development at the College of Engineering. “The impact of these dollars is that more students from historically marginalized backgrounds in engineering and those who want to make a difference for others are supported in their academic pursuits. Boeing is joining the college in our commitment to community, impact, and inclusion, and we are grateful for that.”

Thanks to Boeing’s scholarship support, students in the MEP and WIE programs will receive $1,000 per semester for up to four years if they remain in good academic standing. Meanwhile, the programming and mentorship portion of the funding supports enhanced personal, professional, and academic learning opportunities, plus paid leadership roles for upper-class students in the program as peer mentors. The gift also sponsors workshops, panels, and networking events for the cohorts, including facilitating connections with alumni who share similar identities, access to experiential learning opportunities, and community-building events that foster a sense of belonging. Boeing’s financial support of these programs also provides opportunities for the company’s engineers and talent management team to connect with Nebraska Engineering students by attending events or organizing specific campus activities.

“Our partnership with Boeing, as well as collaborations with other industry partners, goes a long way in facilitating equitable pathways for students to achieve their career and academic goals,” added Skidmore, who noted that Boeing’s financial gifts have helped support the retention and success of students. “Boeing’s generosity has had a significant impact, not just on the students who received scholarships directly, but also the entire Inclusion Scholars Program community across both Nebraska Engineering campuses.”