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KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney is launching a new scholarship program for students who want to pursue careers in government and public administration within the state.
A partnership with the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Nebraska Good Life Opportunities Program is designed for incoming students who value public service and aspire to work in local or state government and other public sector professions. It prepares participants for a variety of high-demand, high-wage positions, such as city managers, urban and regional planners, nonprofit managers, public policy administrators and economic development officials, among many others.
“We are so excited about this new partnership between UNK and UNO. Over the years, we have had a number of our UNK graduates successfully complete their Master of Public Administration at UNO and go on to do great things,” said UNK political science professor Chuck Rowling, who is directing the program.
“Our goal here is to address the severe shortage of people working in local, city and state government, as well as other public sector professions within Nebraska. This collaboration will enable students to receive a first-rate undergraduate education at UNK with small class sizes, rigorous coursework and numerous experiential learning and professional development opportunities. They will then complete their MPA at UNO, which is ranked as one of the best programs in the country. I am certain that this program will have a profound impact and be of considerable benefit to the state of Nebraska in the years to come.”
The Nebraska Good Life Opportunities Program covers the full cost of tuition, up to 120 credit hours, for in-state students admitted to UNK. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship from the UNK faculty director along with access to professional development and experiential learning opportunities. These include internships, paid research, membership in the student chapter of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), regular interactions with city, county and state officials and visits to the UNO School of Public Administration to meet with faculty, staff and students there.
The program features two significant field study experiences – a one-week trip to Washington, D.C., to learn about federal policymaking and a one-week journey through the Southern U.S. to study contemporary civil rights issues.
“We know students really value and consistently seek out learning experiences that occur outside the classroom. These are the types of experiences that can potentially be life-changing,” Rowling said. “They also help prepare students for future success in graduate school and beyond. Students within this program will be given priority for internships, paid research and field study courses, as well as several opportunities for international experiences. In the end, students who go through this program will be well-trained and well-equipped to excel once they embark on their careers.”
The Nebraska Good Life Opportunities Program utilizes curriculum structured specifically for future public sector leaders, providing foundational knowledge for the Master of Public Administration program at UNO. After completing their undergraduate education at UNK, participants are guaranteed admission into UNO’s MPA program as long as they maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. They also receive preferred access to scholarships and graduate assistantships at UNO.
“This partnership between UNK and UNO represents a transformative opportunity to develop Nebraska’s future public sector leaders. By combining rigorous academic preparation with hands-on experiences, we are filling the public sector pipeline with highly qualified, motivated individuals who possess a deep commitment to public service. These students will be equipped to meet the evolving challenges of government and community leadership, ensuring that Nebraska continues to thrive with a new generation of dedicated professionals,” said Gaylene Armstrong, dean of the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service.
To qualify for the Good Life Opportunities Program, students must be Nebraska residents with a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Applications for the program’s inaugural cohort are due by Feb. 1, 2025. Interested students must complete two essays and submit two reference letters. Finalists will be invited to on-campus interviews.
For more information and to apply, visit go.unk.edu/goodlife or contact Rowling at rowlingcm@unk.edu or 308-865-8171.
