Inaugural BHECN Scholars cohort announced
Members of the inaugural BHECN Scholars class enjoy a day of fun at Helgoth’s Pumpkin Patch in St. Libory. Pictured are, back row from left: Johanna McClure, Amelia Moore, Elisa Herrera, Olivia Longmore, Bianca Mullikin, and Patricia Parish; front row from left: Alexis VanDeWalle and Dr. Kati Cordts. Scholars not pictured are Lauren Burris, Ellie Schmidt, Delaney Ham, Trace Benham, Kaylee Reimers and Toni Lopez.
BHECN has selected 11 students as members of the 2024-2025 BHECN Scholars Program. This is the inaugural class for the BHECN Scholars Program – which was launched statewide after its predecessor program – the Behavioral Health Opportunities Program (BHOP) – had a successful pilot year at the University of Nebraska Kearney.
BHECN Scholars is a pathway program that supports undergraduate seniors who plan to pursue master’s degrees in Nebraska-based behavioral health programs following graduation. Scholars receive tuition support, mentorship, professional development, and participate in social and learning opportunities built around a cohort model.
The program's purpose is to recruit regionally and culturally diverse students into the behavioral health workforce and ensure their success as practicing, licensed professionals in Nebraska.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome this group of Scholars into the program as they truly embody what we are looking for,” said Kati Cordts, PhD, associate director of education and training at BHECN. “We expect great things from this inaugural class and know they are ultimately going to make fantastic contributions to our behavioral health workforce.”
The 2024-2025 BHECN Scholars are:
- Lauren Burris of Omaha, who attends Creighton University and double majors in psychology and social work.
- Bianca Mullikin of Wauzeka, Wis., who attends Nebraska Wesleyan University and majors in social work with a minor in psychology.
- Amelia Moore of Kearney, who attends the University of Nebraska Kearney and majors in Social Work. She also minors in behavioral and mental health with emphases in both behavioral and mental health and alcohol and drug counseling.
- Ellie Schmidt of Gretna, who attends the University of Nebraska Omaha and majors in social work.
- Elisa Herrera of Osmond, who attends the University of Nebraska Kearney and majors in social work and minors in early childhood education.
- Delaney Ham of Holdrege, who attends the University of Nebraska Omaha and majors in social work.
- Patricia Parish of Lincoln, who attends the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and majors in child, youth and family studies: human development and family sciences. Parish also minors in education, educational psychology, and psychology.
- Alexis VanDeWalle of Colorado Springs, Colo., who attends the University of Nebraska Kearney and majors in social work.
- Trace Benham of Omaha, who attends the University of Nebraska Omaha, who majors in business administration with a concentration in economics and minors in psychology and theatre.
- Kaylee Reimers of Wood River, who attends the University of Nebraska Kearney and majors in social work with a minor in behavioral and mental health.
- Toni Lopez of Limon, Colo., who attends Chadron State College and majors in psychology and minors in mental health and addiction counseling.
Scholars selected for the program receive a one-time $5,000 payment in Fall 2024. Funding will be distributed to the Scholar and can be used to support tuition and other educational expenses. If admitted into a graduate-level behavioral health program in Fall 2025, Scholars will have the opportunity to renew their membership for a second year.
In addition to financial support, scholars will have unique access to specialized programming designed to enhance their professional development, networking and mentoring from licensed behavioral health providers, assistance with graduate school applications (including a letter of recommendation), engagement in BHECN-sponsored activities, and sponsorship for regional educational conferences.