Campus LNK Program Connects Local College Students

The Lincoln initiative connects students with professional opportunities to encourage them to build careers in the city.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Internships

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The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development's Campus LNK program is boosting talent retention by connecting local college students with regional professional opportunities. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development operates Campus LNK, a year-round program designed to help college students integrate into the local community. Formerly known as MyTern, the initiative provides students with career resources, community activities, and a digital discount passport to local businesses.

Why it matters

By providing professional connections and highlighting local opportunities, the program aims to convince students to remain in Lincoln after graduation. This effort focuses on building long-term talent retention within the city's workforce.

Last summer, 530 students representing 37 employers participated in the internship program. Additionally, 77% of these interns were already attending colleges in Lincoln, and 71% were classified as juniors or seniors.

The players

Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development

This organization is dedicated to promoting economic growth and workforce development within the city of Lincoln.

Nebraska Wesleyan University

This private university located in Lincoln serves as one of the regional colleges participating in the student engagement initiative.

The details

Campus LNK coordinates in-person gatherings to foster connections between students across different colleges, including Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Southeast Community College. Participants can also stay informed through a newsletter distributed every two weeks that highlights ongoing community resources and events.

Timeline

  1. Last summer, 530 students participated in the internship program.

  2. A newsletter highlighting local resources is distributed every two weeks.

  3. The program maintains year-round operations throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Market Landscape

Campus LNK serves as a strategic intervention against the brain drain phenomenon in Midwestern cities that often sees educated youth move to larger coastal hubs. By embedding students into the Lincoln ecosystem, the program positions the city to compete more effectively for future human capital against larger metropolitan peers.

College students can access local business discounts through a digital passport, potentially lowering their daily living costs while in school. The program also provides a direct line to professional networking and regional employers for students planning their post-graduation career paths.

The takeaway

Students interested in local career prospects should monitor the bi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on community activities. Engaging with these resources early can help build a professional network that provides a competitive advantage for post-graduation employment in the city.

Further reading

Learn more about local workforce development through the Lincoln Internships resources page.

More information

For more information on the program, visit the program resources and newsletter registration.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Lincoln - KLIN - 1400 AM.

Live Poll

Do you believe local community programs are effective at keeping college graduates in the area?