Mid-Plains Community College hosted the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards, Mid-Plains Region, Oct. 12 in the Electrical Technology Building on North Platte Community College’s North Campus, 1101 Halligan Dr., North Platte.

Presented by the Aksarben Foundation, the awards recognize individuals and organizations shaping the future of Nebraska’s workforce.

The event also included a panel discussion Rooted in Rural Nebraska: Building Careers and Opportunity featuring local panelists Mark Schanou of Snell Services, Jess Klein of Sustainable Beef, Jonathan Schulte of Nebraska Public Power District and Cory Spotanski, North Platte High School principal.&nbsp;

The 2026 Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards – Mid-Plains Region recipients are:

Apprentice of the Year: Brody Nordhausen

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year: Union Pacific Railroad

Returning Intern of the Year: Landon Hart

Internship Mentor of the Year: Traci Foster

Internship Employer of the Year: Knobel Refrigeration

Press Release | MPCC<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/10/1791913339337.jpeg" alt="Shonna Dorsey with Aksarben Foundation (left) and MPCC President Ryan Purdy present Brody Nordhausen (center) with the Apprentice of the Year award Monday during the 2026 Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards – Mid-Plains Region event in North Platte. (Courtesy MPCC)" />
 <figcaption>Shonna Dorsey with Aksarben Foundation (left) and MPCC President Ryan Purdy present Brody Nordhausen (center) with the Apprentice of the Year award Monday during the 2026 Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards – Mid-Plains Region event in North Platte. (Courtesy MPCC)</figcaption>
 </figure>Mid-Plains Community College hosted the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards, Mid-Plains Region, Oct. 12 in the Electrical Technology Building on North Platte Community College’s North Campus, 1101 Halligan Dr., North Platte.Presented by the Aksarben Foundation, the awards recognize individuals and organizations shaping the future of Nebraska’s workforce.The event also included a panel discussion Rooted in Rural Nebraska: Building Careers and Opportunity featuring local panelists Mark Schanou of Snell Services, Jess Klein of Sustainable Beef, Jonathan Schulte of Nebraska Public Power District and Cory Spotanski, North Platte High School principal.&nbsp;The 2026 Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards – Mid-Plains Region recipients are:Apprentice of the Year: Brody NordhausenApprenticeship Employer of the Year: Union Pacific RailroadReturning Intern of the Year: Landon HartInternship Mentor of the Year: Traci FosterInternship Employer of the Year: Knobel Refrigeration

Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards Recipients Announced