Jordan Westenbroek will graduate with a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln this weekend with a wealth of accomplishments and a bright future ahead. Recognized for her leadership, academic excellence and commitment to helping other students grow, she made the most of her time at the College of Business while contributing to her family's businesses.
The Clifton Builders management major and accounting minor from Firestone, Colorado, ends her college career as a Chancellor's Scholar for her perfect 4.0 GPA in all her college courses.
"I chose to attend Nebraska Business after being impressed by the school’s strong reputation and competitive opportunities," Westenbroek said. "The deciding factor for me was being awarded the George Beadle Scholarship, which made pursuing an out-of-state education more feasible and allowed me to take full advantage of what Nebraska Business had to offer."
Throughout her time at Nebraska, Westenbroek devoted time to helping other students find their own paths in college and beyond. As a New Student Enrollment Orientation Leader, she guided incoming students as they began their own journeys at the university. As a student strengths coach with the Clifton Strengths Institute, she led first-year business students as they discovered and began to leverage their individual natural talents. With competition as her top CliftonStrength, she challenges herself daily to lead and learn to do her best.
Selected for the Clifton Builders Program for her leadership and entrepreneurial potential, she learned to build and manage teams and applied those skills while working as an intern lead supervisor in the University of Nebraska Foundation Engagement Center. For all her involvements and academic excellence, including community service through her sorority Kappa Delta, she also was named the College of Business Student of the Month by the Nebraska Business Student Advisory Board in September.
"The best thing about being a Husker is being part of a proud and supportive community," Westenbroek said.
Two entrepreneurship courses especially transformed her outlook, including Franchising (ENTR 425) and Family Business (ENTR 322), both taught by Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of practice in management and director of business development for the Center for Entrepreneurship. Guest speakers shared their own entrepreneurial journeys and tips for aspiring business leaders in the courses, and Westenbroek asked questions about motivating employees and being innovative leaders and soaked up all the information she could.
Westenbroek grew up organizing dresses and scheduling appointments at Dani West Bridal for her mother and helping out with her father's Tri-Stone Electric business in northern Colorado. As she gained business knowledge, she also performed annual inventory counts, helped with administrative tasks for both and shares with them what she has learned in college courses.
"I thank Dr. Lindsay Thomsen for inspiring me to pursue my entrepreneurial and leadership potential. I aspire to disrupt, lead, and positively influence others, just as she inspired me," Westenbroek said. "While I don’t plan to take over my parents' businesses, my fiancé — who is an electrician like my dad — is interested in taking over Tri-Stone Electric if we eventually move back to Colorado. The knowledge I’ve gained from helping with my family’s businesses and my courses at Nebraska will influence my career wherever we go. Thomsen's lessons were among those that profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and entrepreneurship."
Thomsen also praised Westenbroek's work ethic in the classroom and her leadership potential.
"Jordan excels at everything she does," Thomsen said. "She presents herself as committed and hard-working with an intentional commitment to building close relationships with those around her. She already possesses traits of successful leaders like humility, a growth mindset and a commitment to helping others. I am confident Jordan will achieve success and make us proud that she's a University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business graduate."
Westenbroek appreciates the strong foundation she built at Nebraska Business. She shared how she aims to continue pushing past the status quo in her career to challenge assumptions to create meaningful impact.
Heading to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for her next chapter, she will begin her career as a client service specialist with Holmes Murphy & Associates, an insurance brokerage. She worked as an intern there last summer and used the experience to learn from professionals and seek feedback. A week after the end of her internship, they offered her a full-time position.
"Graduating from Nebraska is a testament to my hard work and drive to exceed expectations. I truly appreciate the recognition as a Chancellor's Scholar, and I’m leaving with the support of an inspiring community that challenged my perspective on industry norms and equipped me to thrive as a businesswoman."
