Lily Ardinger Stibal with her parents, Susan Stibal and Brian Ardinger—whose shared spirit of exploration fuels their family’s approach to innovation.
Wonder in Action: Innovation as a Way of Life
On a crisp fall afternoon at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), Lily Ardinger Stibal is juggling more than classes. She’s planning a research project, attending meetings for the Insect Science Club—affectionately called “Bug Club”—and carving out time to explore the Sheldon Art Museum.
For Lily, innovation isn’t confined to a lab or lecture hall; it’s a way of life. “Always being curious, trying new clubs, planning a UCARE research project, and attending different events and activities across campus,” she says. “I love supporting local art and music to see what innovative approaches pop up in these spaces.”
That curiosity has already propelled her to national recognition, a Nelnet Scholars Program award—a scholarship for dependents of Nelnet associates who demonstrate academic excellence—and a spot in UNL’s Honors Program. The American Junior Academy of Sciences Annual Program selected her to present her senior high school capstone in 2026.
Beyond the accolades is a deeper story—one of resilience, inclusion, and a family operating system built on the belief that obstacles are starting points for innovation.
Meet Lily: Turning Lived Experience Into Impact
Lily was born profoundly deaf and received cochlear implants at just 10 months old—a decision that shaped her journey and her perspective. “I prefer ‘hearing loss’ or ‘I hear with cochlear implants,’” she explains. “I avoid terms like ‘hearing impaired.’” That clarity in language reflects a broader theme in Lily’s life: owning her story while pushing boundaries.
Her high school years at Lincoln’s Science Focus Program strengthened her interdisciplinary mindset. “Science gives structure and data, speech gives clarity and communication skills, and theatre builds presence and human connection—all essential skills for a successful career and life,” Lily says. Those skills came to life in her senior capstone project, “Examining Lived Experience by Adolescents and Young Adults with Hearing Loss and Those with Typical Hearing.”
The idea sparked during an internship at Boys Town National Research Hospital. “I liked the idea of survey research because it turns real human experience into data that can help people,” she recalls. “I realized I had the research training to measure those experiences. So the idea clicked that I wanted to hear their stories, compare them with peers with typical hearing, and turn lived experience into scientific data that can change systems.”
Her approach to innovation is practical and values-driven. “My high school English teacher taught us to do a ‘brain dump,’ where you jot down every idea related to a goal, then narrow it down to one,” Lily says. “Knowing your values also helps you choose projects that are meaningful long-term.” That mindset—exploration paired with purpose—continues to guide her at UNL and beyond.
Meet Brian: Building a Family Culture of Innovation
Brian Ardinger knows a thing or two about risk and resilience. As Nelnet’s Director of Innovation, his work centers on identifying opportunities, testing ideas, and backing ventures that can change industries. At home, similar principles have shaped his parenting philosophy.
For Brian, innovation isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a family habit. “In my book, ‘Accelerated: A Guide to Innovating at the Speed of Change’, I talk about the engines of innovation: exploration, sharing ideas, and experimentation,” he says. “We don’t block it out that way as a family, but the principles are the same. Gather inputs, share ideas, and take action—even if it’s a small, safe-to-try experiment.”
We instill this attitude: don’t take no as the only answer. The first no is just a suggestion. Then the next questions are, ‘What if?’ or ‘Why not?’ When you hit an obstacle, ask what you can do to overcome it.
Lily’s father and director of innovation at Nelnet
That mindset shows up in everyday life. For Brian, curiosity and action aren’t optional—they’re the foundation for growth.
The Ardinger Approach: Habits That Spark Curiosity
Some of the principles Brian values today weren’t part of the plan—they were forged in the face of unexpected challenges. When daughter Lily arrived, life changed overnight.
Ten days after birth, Brian and Susan, his wife, learned their firstborn might have hearing loss. “At first, we wondered if it was temporary,” Brian recalls. “We hoped it was something that would resolve.” But after a retest, doctors confirmed the hearing loss was permanent.
“It was devastating,” Brian says. “But we immediately went into research mode—reading everything we could, talking to everyone we could.” That determination led to Lily receiving cochlear implants at just 10 months old, making her the youngest in Nebraska at the time.
“It put us on a different path,” Brian explains. “We wanted to make sure she had access to sound and opportunities—and that meant saying yes to research, technology, and new experiences.”
Over time, those decisions became the family’s operating system—a set of habits built on exploration, resilience, and action.
We said yes to research opportunities and hearing loss events across the country because they opened doors for Lily. It created a whole new world of connections and possibilities.
The Ardinger approach is simple but powerful: embrace challenges, stay curious, and keep asking what’s possible. For this family, innovation isn’t just about ideas—it’s about living a life where every obstacle sparks a new question and every experience builds resilience.
Designing for Everyone: Inclusion as Innovation
For Lily Ardinger Stibal, inclusion isn’t an abstract concept—it’s personal. “It shapes everything,” she says. “The Penguin Project at the Lincoln Community Playhouse helped me see barriers more clearly.”
Being disabled in a way people often don’t notice helps me understand how systems can create extra hurdles. Inclusion looks different for everyone, but designing with that in mind creates real change.
Innovator and Nelnet Scholar
Her perspective echoes lessons learned at home. “Barriers and obstacles are just barriers and obstacles. And then there are ways around most barriers and obstacles,” Brian recalls. That mindset—born from navigating Lily’s early hearing loss diagnosis—has become a family norm: see challenges as opportunities, and design solutions that work for real people.
Lily’s approach to innovation is deeply interdisciplinary, blending science for structure, communication for clarity, and creativity for human connection. For her, inclusion goes beyond accessibility—it means creating systems and spaces where every voice is heard and every talent thrives.
Brian and his wife Susan often talked with Lily about turning challenges into superpowers, but watching her truly live that idea still amazes him. “She’s always said she loves her cochlear implants. To her, they’re superpowers. When she needs to study for an exam, she can take her ears off, step into silence, and focus fully. That kind of perspective. That’s a superpower.”
This mindset of turning empathy into action has been part of Lily’s personality from a young age. As a Girl Scout, she helped lead a project to assess the accessibility of Nebraska’s Girl Scout camps, then shared recommendations to make the experience more inclusive. From research to leadership to everyday choices, Lily continues to demonstrate that innovation is most powerful when it opens doors for everyone.
Opening Doors: How Scholarships Fuel Exploration
Scholarships don’t just fund education—they create space for exploration. For Lily, the Nelnet Scholars Program opened a door to global learning. “The Nelnet Scholarship gave me additional funds to participate in an upcoming UNL Educational Perspectives Study Abroad trip to Costa Rica, where we’ll study education systems and renewable energy,” she explains. That experience aligns perfectly with her values: curiosity, service, and sustainability.
Brian sees these opportunities as catalysts for growth. “Education is obviously very important in our lives,” he says. “The scholarship has given her a chance to do something that might have been out of reach—like international study abroad. These opportunities give you a chance to spread your wings and continue that exploration process.”
For both father and daughter, the scholarship isn’t just financial support—it’s an investment in possibility.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Systems That Work for All
Lily’s ambitions are clear and deeply rooted in empathy. “I want to improve the experience of young people with disabilities by reshaping the systems around them,” she says. “That includes better school support, easier access to technology, and research centered on lived experience. I also want to bring environmental advocacy elements into my work, possibly through research or teaching.”
Her curiosity extends to overlooked challenges. “I’m interested in reducing listening fatigue and improving environments that support attention and learning. We talk a lot about performance, but not enough about the conditions that shape it. I would love to help design spaces and systems that support how people actually think and learn.”
I’m not sure exactly where Lily’s path will lead, but I know her personality is one that naturally lifts others. She’s deeply curious and action-oriented, and wherever she goes, she’s going to make a meaningful impact.
And success? For Lily, it’s not about titles. “Success looks like a fulfilling life that makes me and the people around me happy. Being able to support myself and my family, travel, meet new people, and try new things. If I can do that, I will feel accomplished and satisfied with my life.”
Practical Wisdom: Tips for Raising and Becoming Innovators
Innovation isn’t reserved for labs or boardrooms—it starts with habits and choices at home and school. Brian offers practical wisdom for parents: “Spend as much quality family time as you can—communicate, talk. We learned how to narrate our life early on, explaining everything to fill in gaps and spark curiosity. Trips to the library, reading together, and exposing kids to a variety of experiences—whether it’s trying a new restaurant or saying yes to an unexpected opportunity—those things matter.”
His mantra for raising innovators? “Lean into your interests. Sometimes those interests are things you wouldn’t necessarily want to explore at first, but you’ll never know where those paths will take you.”
Lily’s advice for students echoes that theme: “Choose activities you genuinely enjoy. Don’t do things just for a résumé. Focus on what aligns with your values and broadens your perspective. Serving others has always been a priority for me when choosing which activities build my innovative profile.”
Together, their guidance underscores a simple truth: innovation thrives where curiosity, courage, and compassion intersect.
His mantra for raising innovators? “Lean into your interests. Sometimes those interests are things you wouldn’t necessarily want to explore at first, but you’ll never know where those paths will take you.”
Lily’s advice for students echoes that theme: “Choose activities you genuinely enjoy. Don’t do things just for a résumé. Focus on what aligns with your values and broadens your perspective. Serving others has always been a priority for me when choosing which activities build my innovative profile.”
Together, their guidance underscores a simple truth: innovation thrives where curiosity, courage, and compassion intersect.
Fueling the Next Generation of Innovators
At Nelnet, stories like Lily’s remind us why we invest in education and opportunity. Through programs like the Learn to Dream Scholarship, TeamMates, and other youth-focused initiatives, we help students turn inquiry into impact—because innovation thrives when every learner has access to resources and support.
Our purpose to serve, our core value of giving back, and our commitment to inclusive innovation drive a culture where growth and diversification aren’t just business strategies—they’re ways to empower the next generation. By making opportunities available, we’re fueling dreams, shaping futures, and building a world where obstacles become starting points for progress.
And because true innovation means designing for everyone, Nelnet is dedicated to making digital experiences accessible to all. Our accessibility experts help organizations meet compliance requirements and create materials that welcome every user.
Discover who we are, join #LifeAtNelnet, or learn more about how we support the next generation through giving back to our communities.
