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Two UNO Accounting Students Win $15K Scholarships

Glenda Bricko and Nichola Otto were recognized by PCAOB for academic excellence and future promise in the accounting profession.

  • published: 2025/07/21
  • contact: Melissa Lindell Kozak - Sr. Director of Communications & Marketing, UNO CBA
  • email: melissalindell@unomaha.edu
Two women smiling in side-by-side portraits. The woman on the left has long black hair, wears braces, and is dressed in a colorful floral shirt against a solid black background. The woman on the right has long brown hair, is wearing a black blazer over a light top with a pearl necklace, and stands in a warmly lit indoor setting.

Glenda Bricko and Nichola Otto

Two seniors in UNO’s College of Business Administration have been named Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholars—an honor that comes with a $15,000 scholarship each for the 2025–26 academic year.

Glenda Bricko and Nichola Otto, both from Bellevue, Nebraska, are students in UNO’s School of Accounting.

The PCAOB Scholarship is a merit-based award that recognizes students who show strong potential to become ethical leaders in the accounting and auditing professions. The program was created through the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to support the next generation of public accountants.

Award recipients must be nominated by a faculty member and demonstrate both academic excellence and high ethical standards. UNO's history of producing standout accounting talent continues to earn national recognition.

“Glenda and Nichola exemplify the commitment, professionalism, and promise we aim to cultivate in all our students. Being selected as PCAOB Scholars is a tremendous honor—and a reflection of their hard work and the caliber of our program,” said Roopa Venkatesh, Ph.D., Director, UNO School of Accounting.

"It is truly an understatement to express how honored I am to receive this prestigious scholarship. I extend my heartfelt thanks to PCAOB and the School of Accounting, with special appreciation to Dr. Venkatesh for equipping me with the knowledge and skills not only to be considered deserving of this recognition, but also to succeed as a future accounting professional," Bricko said.

"I’m incredibly grateful to the PCAOB for this prestigious scholarship. It inspires me to keep pushing forward in my journey to become a CPA and make a meaningful impact in the accounting profession. I want to thank everyone who has invested in me and made this possible, especially Dr. Venkatesh for believing in me, and everyone at the PCAOB. I am grateful beyond words," Otto said.

Learn more about the PCAOB Scholars Program at pcaobus.org.