UNMC Human Resources and its campus partners welcomed the 2026 class of Step-Up Omaha program interns to UNMC for the summer.
This summer, seven interns will be working on campus in UNMC Human Resources, UNMC Center for Continuing Education, the Global Center for Health Security and UNMC Chancellor’s Office.
The program, a collaboration among the Empowerment Network, the City of Omaha and community partners, gives youths summer job training and work experience at participating employers around Omaha. UNMC first partnered with the program in 2016.
“On behalf of UNMC, I want to welcome the new class of Step-Up,” Linda Cunningham, assistant vice chancellor and executive director of UNMC Human Resources, told the group as the interns and participating staff gathered for introductions and pizza on June 17. “We’re so glad to have you all here.”
Cunningham told the interns they can expect an amazing experience for the summer, and she encouraged them to take advantage of all the connections they’ll form around the med center.
Cunningham said UNMC’s staff benefit from their interactions with the interns, as well. She particularly thanked Evelyn Grixby, employee relations programs coordinator in UNMC Human Resources and the Step-Up Omaha program coordinator, adding that Grixby makes the experience special “for each and every one of the participants every year.”
Grixby said she’s elated to be part of the program and to work with the interns. “As you can see, we have some superheroes among us,” she said of this year’s intern class.
Cheery Ngwa, who graduated in May from Burke High School, is working with the UNMC Center for Continuing Education. She said she hopes to become a surgeon in obstetrics and gynecology and will be starting her nursing education to give her a well-rounded background in healthcare.
“I love learning new things, I love discovering new things,” Ngwa said, “and the medical field itself just fascinates me.”
Destin Achonu, an incoming senior at Creighton Prep High School who is working in the chancellor’s office, said he aspires to become a pediatric cardiologist, inspired by the cardiologist who repaired a hole in his heart when he was younger.
Achonu said people around the med center have been kind and helpful as he’s started the program.
“I want to get experience in the hospital,” he said. “This will be a great opportunity to learn about what they do at the hospital on the HR side and also make connections with people.”
The internships run from June 15 through July 31, and a graduation ceremony will be held July 30.