The Nebraska State College System-wide initiative, "ReEngage Nebraska," is designed to reenroll former students to help them complete their degree and strengthen the state's workforce.
Wayne State College joins the Nebraska State College System today in announcing the launch of an ambitious new system-wide initiative, ReEngage Nebraska. The program is designed to help thousands of stopped-out students with some college credit but no degree return to higher education and complete a degree or credential. Built in collaboration with the 501(c)(3) nonprofit InsideTrack, the effort will support reenrollment, persistence, and completion at Wayne State College.
“Our state colleges are built to serve those seeking to continue their education, building a career, raising a family, or serving their community,” said Dr. Paul Turman, chancellor of the Nebraska State College System. “ReEngage Nebraska is about bridging the last mile between higher education and economic opportunity. It’s also a powerful investment in individual opportunity and ultimately in the long-term strength of our workforce, our local economies, and our communities.”
More than 315,000 Nebraskans - roughly one in three working-age adults in the state - started college but never finished with a degree or certificate. ReEngaging even a fraction of these individuals represents a powerful opportunity to strengthen the state’s workforce. Nebraska faces one of the nation’s most acute labor shortages, with only about 70 workers available for every 100 job openings. Meanwhile, research by a Kansas State University economist found that students who reenroll and complete their bachelor’s degree earn, on average, $4,294 more immediately after graduation and see an average annual earnings increase of $1,121 per year each year thereafter.
During the next 18 months, InsideTrack will partner with ReEngage Nebraska to connect with former students who have been away from Wayne State College for at least a year. Designed to help more Nebraskans return to higher education and complete a degree or credential of value, ReEngage Nebraska will take a multi-pronged approach to guide each student through the complex—and often daunting—process of reenrolling and succeeding in college.
Participating students receive individualized coaching designed to help them clarify their goals, rebuild confidence, overcome logistical and financial barriers, reestablish a connection to the college community, and ultimately overcome obstacles to returning. For those who have already completed 70 or more credits, Wayne State College can also award an associate degree, providing an immediate boost to employment prospects and earning potential.
“We are in the process of reaching out to students who left Wayne State at least a year ago with more than 70 credits to award them an associate of general studies degree,” said Dr. Marysz Rames, president of Wayne State College. “It is our sincere hope that granting the degree will provide our former students with a credential that can make a difference in their lives. The next step will be an invitation to reenroll at Wayne State in a custom program designed to get them across the next finish line: their bachelor’s degree.”
Unlike traditional outreach campaigns focused solely on recruitment, the ReEngage Nebraska initiative pairs direct, one-on-one student coaching with institutional capacity-building to sustain long-term support for adult learners. In parallel, InsideTrack will train and certify campus staff at Wayne State in its evidence-based coaching methodology, helping the College build in-house capacity and expertise that can be applied to all student populations and sustained for years to come.
Research and evaluation will also play a critical role in the effort. InsideTrack coaches will gather insights into the reasons why students stopped out—information that Wayne State can use to strengthen student success strategies and campus supports.
“Returning to college after stopping out takes grit and determination—and for working adults balancing jobs, families, and financial pressures, it can feel overwhelming,” said Ruth Bauer, president of InsideTrack. “ReEngage Nebraska is about cutting through red tape and removing the barriers that keep too many hardworking Nebraskans from finishing what they started. By reconnecting learners to opportunity—and linking degrees directly to careers—we’re helping people change their lives, strengthen their communities and power Nebraska’s economy for the long haul.”
Former Wayne State students who want to learn more about the program can visit the ReEngage Nebraska page for additional details.
For information, please contact Dani Eskens at [email protected] or 402-375-7267.
Wayne State College, a leading, public four-year college in Northeast Nebraska, is a proud member of the Nebraska State College System.
About InsideTrack
InsideTrack is a mission-driven nonprofit that fuels equitable social impact by advancing individuals forward to achieve their educational and career goals through the transformative power of coaching. We help people get the education and training they need to reskill, upskill, and advance in their careers, creating pathways that lead to quality jobs, family-sustaining wages, and meaningful employment. Since 2001, we have served more than 3.6 million people and partnered with over 425 organizations, tailoring our coaching outcomes to fit the needs of our partners and the individuals they support. Our coaching methodology is evidence-based and research-confirmed, supporting anyone we work with to thrive — especially those who are historically marginalized or facing significant barriers to success. To learn more, visit the InsideTrack website and follow us on LinkedIn @InsideTrack.