The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Graduate and Professional Student Leadership Accelerator, a co-curricular experiential learning program designed to equip graduate and professional students in IANR with the transferable leadership skills and a digital badge signaling their ability to make a meaningful impact as leaders in their departments and beyond. Leadership Accelerator Participants will receive the tools and training to:
- Conduct a needs assessment within their department.
- Analyze needs assessment data to identify salient needs for graduate and professional students in their departments.
- Design and launch a program or initiative that addresses the identified needs.
- Evaluate the impact of their program to assess the effectiveness of their initiatives.
In its inaugural 2025 cohort, 15 students representing eight IANR units launched six new initiatives to support graduate and professional students, including a graduate orientation program, a writing workshop series, a personal and professional development seminar series, a student journal club, a graduate handbook, and a Canvas resources page.
Participants from the 2025 cohort shared:
- “I was able to build connections with faculty in my department, which allowed me to build my confidence.”
- “I learned the extent to which collaboration in departments and in group work can impact the overall outcomes — it takes a village!”
Up to two graduate or professional students from each IANR unit will be selected to participate in the spring 2026 semester. Interested students can apply online through the Leadership Accelerator application form. Applications close on November 2nd, 2025.
For more information, contact Nick Knopik, nknopik20@unl.edu
