Nebraska Career and Technical Education Conference 2026

This session highlights the creation and success of the Heart of Schuyler, a fully student-run gift shop located inside CHI Health Schuyler. What began as an empty, underutilized hospital space has been transformed into a thriving retail business through a unique partnership between the hospital and a high school entrepreneurship program.Attendees will learn how students manage all aspects of the business, including inventory, vendor relations, marketing, financial reporting, and daily operations. The session will walk through the process of launching the partnership, structuring student teams, and creating systems that allow the business to function sustainably throughout the school year.In addition, participants will gain practical strategies for building community partnerships, designing authentic learning experiences, and aligning real-world business operations with CTE standards. Challenges, lessons learned, and replicable frameworks will be shared so educators can adapt similar models in their own programs—regardless of school size or resources.