In the last 10 years, more than 31,000 college-educated young adults have left Nebraska, according to a state legislative report. As the “brain drain” of bachelor's degree holders persists, Union Pacific Railroad aims to attract and retain talented students through its key partnership with Omaha’s Creighton University.
Born out of the railroad and the university’s shared commitment to enhancing diversity within the broader community, the Union Pacific Diversity Scholars Program equips students with tools to succeed and lead.
“With 80% of Creighton undergraduates coming from outside Nebraska and nearly 50% of business students beginning their careers in the Omaha metro area, this program represents a significant win for Nebraska’s ‘brain gain’ efforts,” said Andy Kammerer, senior director of frontline programs at Creighton University.
Creighton University and Union Pacific Diversity Scholars alum Roland Onwona-Agyeman started a full-time role in the railroad’s Marketing and Sales Department in January.
The prestigious four-year scholarship and mentoring program – funded in part by a multi-year contribution from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program – allows students to engage in peer-to-peer mentoring, connect with community partners to grow their networks and gain valuable exposure to leaders across both organizations.
Since welcoming its inaugural class in 2020, the Diversity Scholars Program has mentored more than 20 students, including recent graduate Roland Onwona-Agyeman, who now works as a full-time account manager in the railroad’s Marketing and Sales Department.
After a successful 2 1/2 years interning in downtown Omaha with Union Pacific, Onwona-Agyeman said the experience solidified his desire to be a leader in sales and the transportation industry.
“The program provided me with important components of professional development and offered valuable exposure to industry leaders,” he said. “I’ve learned to implement these effective leadership strategies in my community and the workplace.”
Onwona-Agyeman plans to start his Master of Business Administration studies this fall, taking advantage of Union Pacific’s tuition-free program with the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His long-term professional goal: hold a leadership role within the company.
“Interning at Union Pacific enhanced my visibility and exposure to leadership, and now, as a full-time employee, I’m continuing to hone my leadership skills through professional development opportunities,” he said. “The company’s culture encourages constant development and growth.”
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In the fall of 2023, the Diversity Scholars Program merged with Creighton’s Next Generation Leaders Program, which ensures students have both the resources to succeed academically and the networks to thrive professionally. The program has enrolled more than 80 students since it launched in 2022, and Union Pacific operates in the home states of 34 of those scholars.
Funding invested by Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program ranges from local grants and sponsorships to key partnerships designed to provide long-term impact in our communities.
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