Overview
Yeutter Student Fellows is a professional development program for students seeking a margin of excellence in their career preparation by connecting knowledge gained in the classroom with professional development opportunities. A cohort of up to 4 students form for one academic year and commit to regular meetups focused on networking, skill building, and learning about international trade. Students will produce one deliverable—one that will give you an edge as you prepare for the next step in your educational or professional journey. Past deliverables have included individual briefing papers (primers on trade policy issues of interest) and a team project (spring 2021 focused on new ways to build connections between heartland residents and federal trade policymakers).
The institute’s namesake, Clayton Yeutter, was passionate about students and preparing them for our changing world. During a 1989 commencement speech he said “…if you are prepared to be broad and creative and global in your thinking, you should have a very productive and rewarding career indeed.” We're to committed to that same mindset.
Program Details and Application
What makes the program unique?
It is interdisciplinary; the cohort includes
students from several different majors and colleges across campus who will work together around
the common theme of international trade while learning to see trade issues from different
perspectives. International trade is inherently interdisciplinary; your preparation to succeed in
the field should be, too.
What to expect
- Tap into the Yeutter Institute network and meet University guests, Yeutter Advisory Council members, and Nebraska business leaders
- Research and produce a written professional deliverable
- Advance your understanding of international trade policy
- Develop community with your peers
- Explore career paths in international trade
Time commitment
Required biweekly meet-ups for 1 hour with cohort peers and
Yeutter Institute leadership, ranging from social to professional. Other opportunities may be
scheduled as well.
How do I know if this is for me?
If you are a self-starter who is curious
about international trade and finance, motivated to learn more, seeking more exposure to possible
career paths in this area, excited by the idea of building professional skills through
interdisciplinary teamwork, and willing to commit the time to meet the objectives, then this is a
fit for you. We are looking for students who are
purposeful, intentional, and resourceful. Students must also be willing to
commit; the cohort will only be as valuable as your
engagement.
Credit
All Yeutter Student Fellows will enroll in a 0-credit course section on MyRed; this provides
acknowledgement of the experience on your transcript. There are not fees associated with the
0-credit option. All Yeutter Student Fellows are also encouraged, but not required, to enroll
in ECON 389/AGRI 496 International Trade Policy and
Politics in the fall. ECON 389/AGRI 496 is taught by Yeutter Institute director, Jill
O'Donnell.
Eligibility
- Must have read, “How do I know if this is for me?” and said, yes!
- Must be a University of Nebraska-Lincoln rising junior or senior and enrolled and in Lincoln for the full 2022-2023 academic year. Any student studying abroad during the upcoming academic year is encouraged to wait and apply next week.
- The program is available to students of all majors
To apply
Applicants should email their resume to yeutterinstitute@unl.edu by April 22, 2022 and attach a
1-2 page document with short responses to the following:
- Describe possible career goals (250 words or less)
- Describe a current trade issue that you are particularly interested in, and why (250 words or less)
- List commitments for the 2022-2023 academic year in order of priority, including Yeutter Student Fellows if selected
- List classes previously taken or enrolled in for fall 2022 related to international trade
One recommendation from a University of Nebraska-Lincoln instructor should also be submitted. Instructors may make recommendations by responding to this form.
Current Student Fellows

Victoria Diersen

Jarod Fox

Nolan Johnson

Juliana Quattrocchi
DJ Bergo
Yeutter Student Fellow 2020-21
Global Studies Major
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Yeutter Student Fellows program has been a thoroughly enriching educational and professional experience. Throughout my time in this program, I have gained useful knowledge about international trade issues, produced high-quality deliverables on important and relevant topics, and been able to connect with an exceptional group of fellow students and experienced professionals.

Malina Lindstrom
Yeutter Student Fellow 2020-21
Animal Science and Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences Communications Double-Major
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Being part of Yeutter Student Fellows has been a one-of-a-kind experience! Not only has it provided me with a unique community of students from across the university, but it allowed me to pursue my interest in trade and urge to better understand the policies that shape the industry that I love. The Yeutter Institute team does an incredible job of allowing each of us to take a deep dive into the topics that interest us and will affect our future careers. For me, that’s the beef industry and meat exports.

Justin Myers
Yeutter Student Fellow 2020-21
Economics Major
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Yeutter Student Fellows program has given me the opportunity to meet and network with other peers at the university with similar interests in trade but with different skills and trade backgrounds. I've also been able to do research and create deliverables that relate to my interests in trade and have been able to meet with and hear from trade policy experts from across the spectrum who helped with my research. The YSF has been one of the most enjoyable parts of my senior year and I'm excited to see how it grows in the coming years!

Patrick Baker
Yeutter Student Fellow 2020-21
Political Science and Global Studies
Double-Major
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Yeutter Student Fellows has presented me invaluable opportunities to connect with local, state, and national business and government leaders. The program has been instrumental in my career development and I believe it will be one of the most impactful experiences that I take part in while at Nebraska.