Bridget Bailey of Overland Park in Raikes School entering class at UNL

2014 Jul 25

Bridget Bailey of Overland Park is among 33 high-achieving 2014 high school graduates who have been accepted into the highly competitive Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for fall 2014.

The Raikes School develops leaders for this era of expanding information technology and business globalization. Students live and learn in the Esther L. Kauffman Academic Residential Center at the heart of the UNL campus. Students are selected for this innovative program based on high academic achievement, outstanding leadership experience, demonstrated interest in computer science and business, and career goals. Students receive scholarships in value toward housing in the Kauffman Center. Most receive other tuition scholarships available at the university for high-achieving scholars. The value of the scholarships ranges from $19,000 to $37,000 per student. Raikes School students are admitted to the University Honors Program.

A graduate of International High School, Bailey plans to major in computer science.

The 2014 entering class includes seven National Merit scholars and six high school valedictorians. The average composite ACT for this year's class is 33.5.

The school is named for Jeffrey S. Raikes, who retired last month as chief executive officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, based in Seattle. A Nebraska native, Raikes previously was president of Microsoft Corp.'s Business Division, retiring in 2008 after 27 years with the company.

The program is a recognized leader in interdisciplinary computer science and business management education. It provides an education balanced in technology and management while developing professional skills in leadership, innovation, communications and collaboration. Graduates, who are among the most highly sought-after in the field, create innovative technologies for business, manage technical development, lead and manage technologists, manage with technology-based processes, understand technology market opportunities, understand the strategic uses of technology, and bridge the gap between technology and business perspectives.