You can support students like Theo at the College of Business by making a contribution to the Business Start Something Fund. A gift to this fund provides much-needed general support to the college and allows the college to meet priority needs as they arise.
As a young boy in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Nikolas Mainieri Mancio dreamed of studying in the U.S.
“I dreamed about studying in the United States because I wanted to pursue a better education than I could find in my home country. When I came to Nebraska, I had a cousin who was studying mechanical engineering, and it was important for me to have family around to make the transition easier,” he said. “As an international student, I did not have the opportunity to visit campus, so he showed me around through videos. I fell in love with the College of Business and its programs.”
"I fell in love with the College of business and its programs."
Earning a scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the senior decided to move and make his time at the College of Business matter — leading to a few distinct honors last spring. He was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Leadership Conference and accepted into the Innocents Society. He also became a member of the university’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization for financial information students and professionals.
In February, he was named College of Business Student of the Month. Which he soon found out would come with an added perk.
But first, it’s worth mentioning that his journey hasn’t all been smooth sailing. His transition from Brazil to college life in Nebraska included many barriers, such as homesickness and cultural differences. The Brazilian Student Association provided a remedy to that problem. After joining, it gave Mancio a sense of belonging and a supportive network of individuals who shared similar experiences. Later, serving as the association’s vice president, he helped create a welcoming environment for other students from Brazil as they navigated the academic and social aspects of the university.
“I challenged myself academically by actively participating in class discussions, proactively seeking assistance when needed and forming study groups. This improved my English proficiency and fostered academic success and integration into the academic community. Regular communication with family and friends back in Brazil and establishing a routine, but also embracing the American culture as part of my own, helped me fit in and understand how to thrive in such a different environment. In retrospect, the challenges became a transformative experience. They made me step out of my comfort zone, develop resilience and embrace diversity,” he said.
"They made me step out of my comfort zone, develop resilience and embrace diversity."
While looking for opportunities to give back to the community, Mancio found the university’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program allowed him to use his accounting skills while assisting low-income individuals with their tax returns.
“The VITA program allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. This experience not only deepened my understanding of taxation, but also heightened my sense of social responsibility. It was rewarding to witness the relief on people’s faces when they realized they could navigate the complexities of tax filing with free assistance,” Mancio said.
His involvement in these programs and experiences is part of what led to him being selected as the College of Business Student of the Month.
The additional perk of being selected is that, at the end of the year, one Student of the Month is named Student of the Year. Later in the spring, Mancio was selected to receive that honor. The award came with more than just recognition. As Student of the Year, Mancio was also awarded a scholarship from the N Fund – Business Start Something.
The N Fund – Business Start Something is a fund used for different priorities in the college each year at the dean’s discretion. The fund allows the College of Business to support students like Mancio in a multitude of ways.
Mancio is a senior this year and there is no doubt that he will go on to do great things in the world, but he won’t be the last. To help our university raise up the next Nikolas Mainieri Mancio, consider making a gift today.
