Standing Bear senior Ashton springboards into future with Nebraska Business Focus Program

February 17, 2026

The numbers on Ashton’s spreadsheet of life have been trending upwards ever since he enrolled in the Nebraska Business Focus Program at Standing Bear High School.
 
The Standing Bear senior has gained a clearer focus on his future by registering in higher-level accounting, entrepreneurship and macroeconomics classes. He will be one of the first graduates of the new focus program, which is a partnership between Lincoln Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business. UNL professors visit Standing Bear’s campus for courses that are co-led by experienced LPS business teachers.
 
Ashton said the focus program has given him a valuable head start on his potential career pathway. He was initially unsure about his interest in the business field when he started classes, but said his professors and teachers turned those doubts into a firm decision. He will attend the UNL College of Business next year.
 
“I’ve really appreciated all of the help from the people who have made the focus program happen for us,” Ashton said. “I don’t think I would have really known what I wanted to explore if it hadn’t been for this program.”

 
Nebraska Business Focus Program Administrator Trisha Lind said it has been fun to watch Ashton accumulate extensive business knowledge. He will be the first Standing Bear student to benefit from a $1,000 scholarship that is available to Grizzlies who apply to the UNL College of Business.
 
“Ashton has gained confidence and a clear direction for where he sees himself in four years,” Lind said.
 
Lisa Tschauner said Ashton and other Nebraska Business students are making the most of their opportunities. Tschauner is an assistant professor of practice in management at the UNL College of Business Center for Entrepreneurship. She is teaching an Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation course to multiple Grizzlies this semester as part of the focus program partnership.
 
Tschauner said she has been impressed with the way Ashton and his classmates have approached their studies. They have held in-depth discussions about industry topics, completed detailed projects and have developed skills that will help them throughout their lives.
 
“I can tell these students are very intentional, and when they’re intentional, their minds are open to learning these concepts and theories,” Tschauner said. “I really appreciate that.”

 
Nebraska Business topics are embedded into the entire curriculum structure at Standing Bear. Students take four pre-pathway courses during their first two years of high school that cover business, marketing, information technology and digital media subjects. They can opt to begin focus program classes as juniors.
 
Tschauner said it is important for high school students to acquire as many business talents as possible. While many Grizzlies will go on to major in business-related topics in college, they could apply their Nebraska Business expertise to disciplines ranging from history to health care.
 
“I think entrepreneurship is becoming more of an expectation in college as well as beyond college,” Tschauner said. “Our employers are asking us to have graduates who have critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, entrepreneurial traits and innovative skills. The high schoolers here are already doing that, so I really appreciate that I’m able to come in and work with these students and help them make a successful transition from high school to college.”
 
“It’s a great chance to prepare yourself for college, so I would say it’s definitely worth trying out even if you’re just a little bit curious,” Ashton said. “You don’t have to be focused just on business to actually be a part of it.”

 
Ashton said he has appreciated having a chance to enter a college-level environment. Nebraska Business courses offer a balance of structure and independence, which allows students to sharpen their time management and self-motivation traits. The class arrangements are similar to those found at colleges and universities across the United States.
 
“I’ve definitely enjoyed getting used to the college workload, especially since it’s through UNL,” Ashton said. “It’s definitely left me feeling more prepared for next year.”
 
Ashton said the focus program’s smaller class sizes have also been helpful.
 
“I’ve really gotten to know my peers in all of the classes and also all of the professors who have come,” Ashton said. “I’ve learned the actual business side of things, but I’ve also learned how to work in a smaller setting. I’ve learned a lot about teamwork and just being patient when we’re working through any challenges.”

 
Ashton has proved that Nebraska Business classes can be incorporated into a well-rounded schedule. He also competes in cross country, is a member of the Standing Bear Arbor Day Club and volunteers with the Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventures program.
 
Tschauner said Nebraska Business is providing a launchpad for Grizzlies like Ashton to skyrocket into upward-trending career fields.
 
“As they pick the classes they take in college, hopefully this will give them a little more courage or confidence to pick those classes that they’re not so sure about,” Tschauner said. “Those could be the classes that change the entire perspective of what they want to do for their career.”
 
The Nebraska Business Focus Program is building future business leaders at Lincoln Public Schools. Explore the focus program embedded at Standing Bear High School. 
 
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