You can support Nyasha by making a gift to the N Fund - College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Scholarships today.
When Nyasha Chihonde emigrated from Africa to the United States in 2024, he wasn’t sure what his future would hold.
At the time, he was working in roles centered around animal production with small-scale dairy farmers. Chihonde began applying for jobs but was encouraged by a friend enrolled at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to consider applying to the school.
He began his first semester that fall but was faced with a challenge. Tuition and fees felt insurmountable, and Chihonde was left considering what he would do if he couldn’t continue his education at UNL.
Chihonde left his studies for a short time in 2024, unsure if he would be able to return to continue his education at the university.
Through a scholarship funded by the N Fund – College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Chihonde was presented with a life-changing solution that would allow him to return to UNL in 2025.
“The scholarship was a major breakthrough for me to come back to school,” Chihonde said.
Today, Chihonde is thriving as a student. In addition to the scholarship support he received, Chihonde has been welcomed by students within the UNL community.
“It’s a great community,” he said. “At first, I was overwhelmed by the environment, but I had some people who reached out and showed me around and connected me. It’s been great, and I’ve really appreciated it.”
Chihonde is currently studying animal science at the university. He hopes to use the degree to focus on the animal industry. He added that this opportunity would not have been possible without support from the N Fund – CASNR Scholarships.
“These scholarships provide a great opportunity for students like me who have been struggling with tuition,” he said. “I want to extend my gratitude toward those who have supported this fund. You are helping students.”
You can support students like Anya by making a gift to the N Fund - Student Scholarships today.
Anya Bornitz has always felt a connection to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
It’s partly tied to her upbringing. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native grew up watching Husker football and volleyball games with her family. Her mother also studied secondary education at the university.
“UNL’s campus has always felt like a home to me,” she said. “I just always loved it and just saw myself as a student here.”
Bornitz, a freshman studying biology at UNL, is a recipient of a scholarship through the N Fund – Student Scholarships. She’s enjoying her first year on campus and said the decision to attend the university wouldn’t have been possible without scholarship support.
“It was kind of a decision between staying in state or going out of state,” Bornitz said. “This scholarship took the pressure off that decision. It allowed me to weigh the pros and cons of how I felt and really gave me the opportunity to consider this as a choice.”
Bornitz said her mom was thrilled to learn that UNL would be her daughter’s home.
“She was just really excited to walk through my schedule with me and show me around campus,” Bornitz said. “I think she was really excited to see it from my point of view.”
As she finishes her first year on campus, Bornitz said she has never felt out of place as a student. She credits that to the support she has received from her fellow students, faculty and staff on campus.
“I realized quickly that teaching assistants and professors all genuinely want to help you,” Bornitz said. “I was kind of expecting to feel like a number, but that’s obviously been proven wrong throughout the year. There’s so much support, and they all just want to see you succeed.”
To those who have supported the N Fund – Student Scholarships, Bornitz said a simple thank-you doesn’t properly put into words the life-changing effects of these scholarships.
“We wouldn’t even have had the opportunity to start this journey without donor support, so I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported this fund,” she said. “It’s a great place.”
