Chadron State College
Chadron State College

Rural Business Leadership Initiative (RBLI)

Rural Business Leadership Initiative

Rural Business Leadership Initiative

 

RBLI Logo

Reimagine Rural Business at Chadron State College.

The purpose of the Rural Business Leadership Initiative is to prepare students pursuing careers in business, specifically in rural areas and to help graduates of the program assume leadership roles within rural communities. For Chadron State College, this is one of many ways to assist in the economic development of the service region.

Program Information

  • Applications to the RBLI will be accepted for any of the following option areas, as long as students declare in their application essay a rural-focused business preference.
    • Accounting
    • Accounting-CPA
    • Agribusiness
    • Business Information Systems
    • Finance
    • Management
    • Marketing
  • Applications due February 28th.
    • Notification of award by March 15th.

 

Full Tuition

Leadership Development

Networking

Internship Opportunities

15 Tuition Scholarships Available

  • The Rural Business Leadership Initiative offers 15 tuition scholarships for each incoming academic class in the fields of Accounting, Accounting-CPA, Agribusiness, Business Information Systems, Finance, Management, and Marketing. Scholarships do not cover non-tuition expenses. Participants are free to apply for additional financial assistance.
  • Students pursuing the CPA path will receive the scholarship for all 150 credit hours at CSC and those on the CPA/MBA path will receive the scholarship through all 156 credit hours.
  • Application to the RBLI will be accepted for any of the following option areas, as long as students declare in their application essay a rural-focused business preference.
    • Accounting
    • Accounting-CPA
    • Agribusiness
    • Business Information Systems
    • Finance
    • Management
    • Marketing

Outline of RBLI by Year in School

  • The RBLI will offer both required and supplemental activities to student participants. Required activities will include six monthly meetings for each year that the student is involved in the RBLI and two internships. Optional activities will include: business tours, job shadowing, conference attendance, and membership in the Phi Beta Lambda business club.
    • Online or in-person options available for required events

    Year One

    • Monthly Meetings
    • Optional Activities

    Year Two

    • Monthly Meetings
    • Optional Activities

    Year Three

    • Monthly Meetings
    • Optional Activities
    • Internships

    Year Four

    • Monthly Meetings
    • Optional Activities
    • Internships

Apply
  • How to Apply:
    • Students must complete a required application Apply Here

About the Program

Who: Incoming freshman, transfer, and current students with a strong interest in contributing to and working in rural areas in the High Plains region.

What: An experiential leadership program designed to inspire, empower, and develop students through collaborative networks, innovative practices, and sustainable relationships. Students have the opportunity to receive a full-tuition scholarship. The program is built to prepare students for leadership positions in rural communities. Experiences will include but are not limited to:

  • Leadership opportunities
  • Networking events
  • Career development
  • Internships

How: Fill out the application provided in the above drop-down menu by February 28th.

Entry Requirements
  • Open to incoming and current Chadron State College students who have a strong interest in business and working in rural communities
    • No minimum ACT score, minimum 3.0 GPA to apply
  • Must maintain a 3.0 GPA at CSC
  • Opportunity for internships
    • Banking Institutions
    • Rural Businesses
    • Insurance Companies
    • Hospitals
    • Ag-Business
    • And many more!

Incoming students, current students, and transfer students are encouraged to apply. While on-campus students will find it more convenient to participate in the RBLI, students who live outside the region are not discouraged from applying as long as they can attend six monthly meetings throughout the academic year.

  • Online or in-person options available for required events

The RBLI will operate under a cohort model. Any student accepted into the RBLI beyond their entering year (i.e. transfers or alternates) will join the cohort for that year.

Program Requirements

Entrance into the RBLI is not limited to rural or in-state students; however, the expectation is students will intend to work, post-graduation, in a rural area

  • Required Application Information:
    • Include self-reported ACT score and GPA (high school or transfer institution as appropriate) There is no minimum ACT score. Must have a 3.0 GPA
    • Complete and submit a response to the application prompt discussing why you want to be in the RBLI and how you want to make an impact in rural communities
    • Submit a resume
      • Applications are due February 28th
      • Chosen applicants will be notified by March 15th
      • Deadline for accepting entry into the RBLI will be March 31st
  • For more information, contact: