92%
Employed or continuing education within 6 months of graduation
(*National average: ~86%)
77%
Full-time employment rate within six months of graduation
(*National average: ~55%)
91%
Employed in a field related to their degree within six months of graduation
(**National estimate: ~52-62%)
$47,121
Average starting salary across all majors, consistent with entry-level earnings across Nebraska.
Annie Buesing '15 - Mental Health Therapist
Annie Buesing, a 2015 graduate of Wayne State College, is a mental health therapist in Fremont, Nebraska. She works with children and their families to strengthen relationships and support emotional well-being. Annie says her experience at Wayne State helped shape her career path through engaging coursework, supportive professors, and opportunities for leadership. She was active in campus life, including serving as a sorority president, and built friendships that continue years after graduation.
Taylor Reedy - Supporting the Ag Industry through Finance
Taylor Reedy graduated from Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2018 and earned his MBA in 2023. During his time at Wayne State, he built strong relationships with faculty, discovered his passion for finance after starting in marketing, and balanced academics with his role as quarterback on the football team. Today, Taylor is a financial officer with Farm Credit Services of America in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he works with farmers and ranchers to support their operations and help feed America.
Meghan Taylor '15 - Supporting Musician Health Through Research
Meghan Taylor graduated from Wayne State College in 2015 with a degree in Music Education. During her time at Wayne State, she explored performance anxiety through her honors thesis and was actively involved in student organizations, including serving as president of the campus National Association for Music Education chapter. Today, Meghan works in research administration at Colorado State University, helping secure funding for research initiatives. She also consults with musicians and leads wellness workshops, using the foundation she built at Wayne State to support healthier practices in the performing arts.
Adam Smith '21 - Advocating for Justice Through Law
Adam Smith graduated from Wayne State College in 2021 and is now an associate attorney with McGrath North in Omaha, Neb., working in the firm’s litigation practice group. While at Wayne State, Adam participated in the Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP), gaining early exposure to law school and the legal profession. He also served as president of Student Senate, where he developed leadership skills during the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, he represents businesses and individuals in legal disputes, helping clients navigate challenges and seek fair outcomes.
Kyliegh Kumm - Computer Science Teacher
Kyleigh Kumm earned multiple degrees from Wayne State College, including a bachelor’s degree in 2013, a Master of Science in Education, an MBA, and a second MSE. Today, she is a computer science teacher at Harlan Community Schools in Harlan, Iowa. In addition to teaching STEM courses, Kyleigh helps secure grant funding for her rural school district. In one year, she helped bring in more than $400,000 in grants, supporting new programs and opportunities for students. One of those initiatives includes a CDL simulator program, allowing students to graduate with a commercial driver’s license and enter the workforce with a competitive edge.
Jacob Leaver '18 - Managing Nebraska's State Budget
Jacob Leaver graduated from Wayne State College in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics. He now serves as deputy state budget administrator for the State of Nebraska, working at the State Capitol in Lincoln. In his role, Jacob collaborates with executive, legislative, and judicial leadership to develop and manage the state’s $23 billion budget, ensuring agencies carry out spending as intended. He credits Wayne State’s small class sizes and close faculty interaction for helping him build the communication and interpersonal skills essential to his work today.
Annie Buesing '15 - Mental Health Therapist
Annie Buesing, a 2015 graduate of Wayne State College, is a mental health therapist in Fremont, Nebraska. She works with children and their families to strengthen relationships and support emotional well-being. Annie says her experience at Wayne State helped shape her career path through engaging coursework, supportive professors, and opportunities for leadership. She was active in campus life, including serving as a sorority president, and built friendships that continue years after graduation.
Taylor Reedy - Supporting the Ag Industry through Finance
Taylor Reedy graduated from Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2018 and earned his MBA in 2023. During his time at Wayne State, he built strong relationships with faculty, discovered his passion for finance after starting in marketing, and balanced academics with his role as quarterback on the football team. Today, Taylor is a financial officer with Farm Credit Services of America in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he works with farmers and ranchers to support their operations and help feed America.
Meghan Taylor '15 - Supporting Musician Health Through Research
Meghan Taylor graduated from Wayne State College in 2015 with a degree in Music Education. During her time at Wayne State, she explored performance anxiety through her honors thesis and was actively involved in student organizations, including serving as president of the campus National Association for Music Education chapter. Today, Meghan works in research administration at Colorado State University, helping secure funding for research initiatives. She also consults with musicians and leads wellness workshops, using the foundation she built at Wayne State to support healthier practices in the performing arts.
Adam Smith '21 - Advocating for Justice Through Law
Adam Smith graduated from Wayne State College in 2021 and is now an associate attorney with McGrath North in Omaha, Neb., working in the firm’s litigation practice group. While at Wayne State, Adam participated in the Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP), gaining early exposure to law school and the legal profession. He also served as president of Student Senate, where he developed leadership skills during the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, he represents businesses and individuals in legal disputes, helping clients navigate challenges and seek fair outcomes.
Kyliegh Kumm - Computer Science Teacher
Kyleigh Kumm earned multiple degrees from Wayne State College, including a bachelor’s degree in 2013, a Master of Science in Education, an MBA, and a second MSE. Today, she is a computer science teacher at Harlan Community Schools in Harlan, Iowa. In addition to teaching STEM courses, Kyleigh helps secure grant funding for her rural school district. In one year, she helped bring in more than $400,000 in grants, supporting new programs and opportunities for students. One of those initiatives includes a CDL simulator program, allowing students to graduate with a commercial driver’s license and enter the workforce with a competitive edge.
Jacob Leaver '18 - Managing Nebraska's State Budget
Jacob Leaver graduated from Wayne State College in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics. He now serves as deputy state budget administrator for the State of Nebraska, working at the State Capitol in Lincoln. In his role, Jacob collaborates with executive, legislative, and judicial leadership to develop and manage the state’s $23 billion budget, ensuring agencies carry out spending as intended. He credits Wayne State’s small class sizes and close faculty interaction for helping him build the communication and interpersonal skills essential to his work today.
Wayne State graduates strengthen Nebraska’s workforce
Wayne State graduates build careers in Nebraska communities while also making an impact across the country.
Wayne State’s impact on Nebraska
- $573.1 million added to Nebraska’s economy
- 7,940 jobs supported statewide
- $529.5 million in income generated by alumni working in Nebraska
