Paul Scholars announces new student cohort

Paul Scholars is Concordia University, Nebraska’s work education program. It launched last fall with its first cohort of 10 students. Students accepted into this program earn full tuition covered through a combination of institutional aid, a Paul Scholars scholarship and work income while gaining experience in their chosen career field. 

This year, 10 students were admitted into the program: 

Jasmine Baker, Anchor Pointe, Alaska 

Cheyenne Vahl, Minden, Neb. 

Elizabeth Wysocki, Rockford, Ill. 

Amallia Geuy, Buhler, Kan. 

Payton Hendricks, Hastings, Neb. 

Aspen Hansen, Wahoo, Neb. 

Tye Coldiron, Gretna, Neb. 

Claire Rolfes, Hartington, Neb. 

Cohen Paden, New Castle, Neb. 

Kerra Papik, Exeter, Neb. 

“I do a lot of listening and observing student users while I’m working, so we can understand what’s important to them. We’re working on how to bring more people into the library for things they don’t realize is here for them.”

“I do a lot of listening and observing student users while I’m working, so we can understand what’s important to them. We’re working on how to bring more people into the library for things they don’t realize are here for them,” said Paul Scholar Payton Hendricks. 

The Paul Scholars is led by Director Paul Berggren. The scholar group offers students a community that combines academic excellence with real-world work experience to seamlessly integrate classroom learning with practical job skills, creating a holistic approach to higher education that promotes servant leadership in the church and world.  

Students who have been admitted to Concordia Nebraska are invited to apply to be a part of Paul Scholars. To be considered for the Paul Scholar program, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and will be required to participate in development and leadership activities determined by the director. The program is open to a variety of majors and includes an exclusive Paul Scholar minor focused on developing character and competence to learn, serve and lead in the workplace, community, church and world.  

Paul Scholars applications are currently open for the 2026-2027 academic year.