UP, Creighton University partner to address Nebraska's 'brain drain'

Union Pacific Railroad's Diversity Scholars Program, created in partnership with Omaha’s Creighton University, equips local students with resources to help them succeed and lead, according to UP's webpage, InsideTrack.

Since 2020, more than 20 students have been given opportunities to network with their community, participate in peer-to-peer mentoring, and gain exposure to leadership within both partner organizations. Both the Class I and the university seek to enhance diversity in the broader Omaha community and combat Nebraska's “brain drain” by encouraging young professionals who study in Omaha to remain in the state after graduation.

Over 31,000 college-educated young adults have left Nebraska in the past 10 years, UP cites from a state legislative report.

“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.

Recently, UP hired Diversity Scholars Program graduate and former UP intern Roland Onwona-Agyeman as a full-time account manager in marketing and sales. He said his two-and-a-half-year internship with UP solidified his career ambitions to become a sales leader in the transportation industry.

“The program provided me with important components of professional development and offered valuable exposure to industry leaders,” said Onwona-Agyeman. “I’ve learned to implement these effective leadership strategies in my community and the workplace.”