By Tyler Dahlgren

When we first introduced Kenny Morales, Wilson Overfield, and Tatum Terwilliger in early August, their startup, FindU, was a high-potential "what if." The brainchild of Morales and Overfield, a pair of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management students, the app aimed to revolutionize the college search process by bringing a Tinder-style "swipe right" simplicity to the often-intimidating world of higher education.

Fast forward just a few months, and the "what if" has officially become "what’s next." 

On a Tuesday afternoon, we stopped by The Kauffman Center, in the heart of UNL’s campus, for a follow-up with Terwilliger (Lincoln Southwest ‘23), Morales (Grand Island ‘23) and operations director Lance Buscher (Omaha Westside ‘23). What did we learn? Well, a lot can happen in six months.

The team has added interns and secured state funding, moving from the "Dreamer, Orchestrator, Facilitator" phase into active operations. They’ve discovered that the true heart of their innovation isn’t just the code. It’s the conversation that comes with it.

The most significant milestone since August has been the official launch of pilot programs in Malcolm, Ralston, and Tri-County. These aren’t just digital downloads, but rather active partnerships designed to bridge the gap between high school hallways and university lecture halls.

Recently, the FindU team hosted students from Malcolm and Ralston for a "College Ready" day at UNL. Raikes students guiding the next generation, the type of full-circle moment the FindU team talked about back in August.

"We brought them down for their first campus tour," said Terwilliger, whose focus is on expanding partnerships. "It was a way to get them onboarded onto the app while giving them a view of what a college tour could actually look like. They could pick their tour based on their specific interests, like the College of Engineering or Business."

The event was a success, so much so that UNL recruitment heads have asked for an encore. 

“Kendra Richie is our advisor and the head of recruitment for the College of Business, and she’s been fantastic in helping us carry out and execute certain things we’ve set out to accomplish,” Terwilliger said.

While the app was built for students, the team quickly realized that high school counselors are the gatekeepers of the college journey. However, these professionals are often overworked and bogged down by administrative hurdles.

"Talking to counselors has been awesome," said Buscher. "We can build something from a student perspective because we’ve been there, but we don’t know the problems counselors face. Getting that face-to-face time and having conversations with them to see how they interact with students and what they need from a tool has been vital."

This feedback loop helped lead to a web-based version of FindU.

"Students aren't necessarily allowed to have their phones in class all the time," Terwilliger said. "By putting FindU on Chromebooks, where students are already located, it makes it much easier to integrate our tool directly into the classroom curriculum."

Perhaps most importantly, the team is doubling down on their commitment to keep the tool free for counselors and schools. In an industry where software costs often spike after a trial period, FindU is positioning itself as a permanent, accessible resource.

In October, FindU’s momentum was validated on a statewide stage when they took second place in the Nebraska Governor’s New Venture Competition. The win provided not only critical funding but also a sense of affirmation. They’re on the right path, alright.

"I think what we enjoyed most was seeing the other people and what they were working on," Morales said, before adding with a laugh, "I personally took it as a loss because we didn't get first, but the money and the pitching opportunities were great."

That drive is the engine behind FindU’s growth. It’s how they got here, and it’s not likely to fade anytime soon. While outsiders (including us) marvel at how quickly the team is moving, the founders often feel the opposite.

"Every single day I sit there and think, ‘Wow, we’re moving so slow,’" Morales said. "That’s the mindset we carry. We’re just constantly pushing the envelope, trying to get it up."

To keep up with this self-imposed pace, the team has grown to nearly ten members, including a fleet of interns from the Raikes School who contribute everything from video content to backend development. This "by students, for students" mantra ensures the app remains grounded in the actual needs of Gen Z.

The team’s diverse backgrounds continue to be their greatest asset. From Morales’s "orchestrator" mentality to Terwilliger’s respect for and knowledge of the education system (she’s the daughter of a school superintendent), they are tackling a problem that is just as emotional as it is logistical.

"The college search process is scary," said Buscher. "If you’re a student who doesn't have a family member who went to college, you don’t know what you don’t know. We’re seeing students download the app on their own. Not just because a counselor told them to, but because they’re looking for an answer to a problem that doesn’t have an obvious solution."

As they look toward the future, including upcoming appearances at FBLA and DECA State conferences (another one of Richie’s great ideas), the goal remains to simply find the "right thing" for the user.

The FindU team isn’t building a platform in a vacuum. They’re building it alongside the people who will use it. They are actively seeking feedback from Nebraska students and staff to ensure their "Discover" features and counselor dashboards are hitting the mark.

"The feedback from students and counselors is invaluable," Buscher said. "We’re building it for them. We want to make sure the experience is exactly what they need."

To learn more, provide feedback, or inquire about a pilot program for your school, visit www.JoinFindU.com or reach out to the team directly via their website.