Sara Bennett left her seven-year service at UNK, but she was always asked how she could be brought back to campus. When an opportunity opened up in 2023, she returned as director for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development, leading new programs such as Startup Studio.
Bennett, originally from Grand Island, said she enjoyed being in central Nebraska because her family was nearby.
“It’s just been a fantastic journey,” Bennett said. “How can we help students achieve their dreams of business ownership one day? I want to create that opportunity for them.”
Bennett began her journey in 2007 at UNK and graduated in 2011 with her undergraduate degree and MBA. Right after graduating from UNK, Bennett worked with the Nebraska Business Development Center, next door to her current office in West Center.
The Nebraska Business Development Center is a statewide organization where she worked with small businesses to help them get started.
She decided to leave to become the Entrepreneurship Center Director for Central Community College in Grand Island in 2018. She consulted with businesses, taught classes and helped run coworking spaces downtown.
She eventually came back to UNK in October 2023 to start her new role as director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development.
“The college didn’t want to see me leave to begin with,” Bennett said. “They were always wanting to know how to bring me back into UNK. The position that opened up aligned with my interests in positively impacting the students.”
Since graduating in 2011, Bennett has spent the past 14 years with different organizations, which has allowed her to work with small businesses and create connections around the state. Her intent – to bring that expertise to the students at UNK. She wants to create experiences outside of the classroom, but also teach students how they can create their own connections and take their ideas to the next level.
Part of her vision was what helped create her new program, Startup Studio, to get students involved with business further.
Startup Studio is an immersive program that allows students to connect with entrepreneurs through meet-ups around the state and learning what it takes to start up their own business.
The program is open to eight students.
“If you think back on any field trip with a group of 20, you haven’t heard half of what the person is saying,” Bennett said. “They don’t get the whole picture and having smaller groups will have students create real conversations and solid connections with business owners.”
Applications closed on April 24, but the program will open again next spring.
