The Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy announced its newest cohort of students enrolled this fall, welcoming 40 first-year students into the College of Engineering.
Students receive a full-tuition-and-fees scholarship over four years as well as the opportunity to receive funding for a fifth year, on a case-by-case basis. The PKFEA scholarship also covers housing and meals for up to four years in University Housing on campus. Additional resources include a common living experience during the first two years in the program, cohort-specific freshman and sophomore seminars, and success coaching from program staff. Students also receive a $500 book stipend to the University bookstore and a laptop for their studies.
The academy, which received more than 100 applications for this cohort, seeks to recruit and retain students committed to supporting and advancing women in engineering in Nebraska as well as provide students who have financial need with resources and support to pursue opportunities in computer, construction, and engineering careers. Beyond academic and career development, the academy also works to increase gender diversity in the workforce.
Students in the 2023-24 cohort, including hometowns and majors, are: (City Campus-Lincoln) Dahlia Acolatse, Omaha, computer science; Zehra Almaleki, Lincoln, computer science; Evin Anderson, Dakota City, mechanical engineering; Zachary Corey, Omaha, civil engineering; Elizabeth Evans, Omaha, environmental engineering; Krishnaraj Ganesan, Sidney, software engineering; Sonny Gonzalez, Alliance, software engineering; Layla Hernandez, Norfolk, civil engineering; Samantha Hintz, Omaha, software engineering; Kareem Hudson, Omaha, mechanical engineering; Samantha Johnson, Columbus, electrical engineering; Trent Kisker, Trenton, mechanical engineering; Jameson Krab, Ogallala, chemical engineering; Joshua Martinez, Lincoln, computer science; Jonathan Massey, Bennington, mechanical engineering; Alieka Matzner, Grand Island, mechanical engineering; Emma McManus, Bellevue, biological systems engineering; Lila Mock, Omaha, civil engineering; Tyra Onyango, Omaha, software engineering; Kathleen Peklo, Omaha, software engineering; Alexander Rice, Springfield, chemical engineering; Caitey Ruzicka, Orchard, civil engineering; Shreenaya Sanjeevi, Omaha, mechanical engineering; Heather Smith, Fremont, chemical engineering; Hannah Tlamka, Lincoln, chemical engineering; Anna Woodshank, Lincoln, mechanical engineering; Elianah Wunderlich, Seward, mechanical engineering; and Sergio Zavala, Lincoln, electrical engineering; (Scott Campus-Omaha) Keirsten Colton, Imperial, architectural engineering; Seth Dobrusky, Lincoln, computer engineering; Lauryn Hodges, Papillion, architectural engineering; Corbin Hough, Ralston, civil engineering; Madeline Oetting, Gretna, environmental engineering; Wendy Pacheco-Menjivar, Omaha, undecided; Shaw Reh, Omaha, civil engineering; Grant Ryan, Wahoo, architectural engineering; Kashau Scott, Omaha, mechanical engineering; Claudia Vasquez, Grand Island, construction management; Kaitlyn Vuong, La Vista, architectural engineering.
PKFEA is funded and developed in partnership with Peter Kiewit Foundation, a private independent philanthropic trust established by Peter Kiewit that has awarded more than $750 million in grants and scholarships since 1979.
Additionally, 10 students named as Peter Kiewit Scholars for the 2023-24 cohort are: Cody Damme of Syracuse, construction engineering; Isaac Everitt, O’Neill, construction management; Drew Kirk, La Vista, construction management; Delaney Knight, Omaha, mechanical engineering; Joseph Maher, Mound, Minnesota, mechanical engineering; Ava Mallaro, Cedar Falls, Iowa, civil engineering; Evyn Shafer, Lincoln, civil engineering; Tyler Sudeta, Gretna, construction engineering; Samantha Ullman, Omaha, civil engineering; and Emma Vondrak, Omaha, civil engineering. Peter Kiewit Scholars are recipients of a full-tuition scholarship and book stipend; one-year housing and meals; an education abroad stipend and immersive learning trips; a guaranteed Kiewit internship, and industry mentorships and seminars.