Orientation Leaders
Aldi Airori
Environmental Science
Jayapura, Indonesia
A Resource I Sought Out On Campus and How It Helped:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is one of the resources on campus that I will forever cherish and always recommend to students. College can be tough: Classes keep you really busy, and life happens. In the midst of all of these new responsibilities and obligations, you could feel overwhelmed and stressed out. I’ve been in the same boat, and going to CAPS was one of the best decision I’ve made at UNL. The staff there is very professional and understanding. You’ll be able to talk in a safe space without any judgments, and the staff will work patiently and kindly with you. With more and more students feeling comfortable opening up about their mental health and seeking help, we can end the stigma surrounding mental health one day at a time. It can be as easy as making your first appointment with CAPS.
Ethan Beier
History and Classics
Omaha, NE
The On-Campus Job I Hold and How It Impacts Me:
I am lucky enough to work with the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services (OASIS) first-year transition program, and it has had a huge impact on my life in college. OASIS is a diversity- and inclusion-based transition program that helped me through difficult portions of my freshman year transition. Because of this, I have worked with the program the past two years as a peer mentor. I am able to serve as a resource and connection on campus for my mentees. It has taught me the importance of perspective and empathy and the impacts that they can have on others. Without a doubt it is one of my favorite things I have done in college.
Anthony Budell
Political Science
Lincoln, NE
My Study Abroad Experience and How it Impacted Me:
In the summer between my sophomore and junior year at UNL, I had the opportunity to study abroad for a month in Krakow, Poland. Through the political science department, our group from Nebraska shared a class with international students from our host university, and together we studied global democracy and security challenges. Having never been outside of the United States before, studying abroad was definitely outside of my comfort zone at the time but quickly became one of the experiences I cherish the most. While learning from some of the top experts in a field that I was very interested in, I was also able to connect with students of different cultures and explore an unfamiliar country. This resulted in new perspectives on the world, lifelong friendships and an even greater passion for travel.
Ethan Carlson
Management
Norfolk, NE
The Best Advice I Could Give an Incoming Student:
Be uncomfortable. College will be a transition, and in that transition, you can seek comfort, or you can jump in and grow in the discomfort. Going out of our comfort zone stretches us, and I promise that if you learn to thrive in discomfort, college will change you into someone you may not have thought you could be.
Corrie Day
Psychology and Sociology
Minnetrista, MN
What It’s Like Coming to UNL as an Out-of-State Student:
Coming to Nebraska as an out-of-state student led me to believe that when I got there I would see nothing but corn, football and the color red. Although I was not exactly wrong, I was far from right. As a student from Minnesota, I see my friends and family a handful of times throughout the year, which can be tough. However, the kindness of Nebraskans toward out-of-staters is something out of a storybook. When I arrived in Lincoln, I was greeted with countless offers to visit people’s dogs, get my laundry done and have a home-cooked meal. All of my concerns about not making friends vanished within what seemed like a week, and these days one of my friends’ mom even cuts my hair for free. For out-of-state students, these little acts of kindness may seem like second nature to Nebraskans, but a little piece of home when your parents are far away can make all the difference.
Liam Diesing
Global Studies
Omaha, NE
Getting Involved with a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) and Its Impact on Me:
I’ve had a love for drawing since high school. When I came to UNL and heard about all the student organizations on campus, I knew I had to find one drawing-related. To my amazement, I could not find one anywhere no matter how hard I looked and was pretty bummed out. Then I had a crazy idea: What if I start one? So I gathered some friends who had some interest in art and got the club registered. At the start, I really thought it was crazy, that there was no way we could keep the club floating without complex schedules, yet here we are, a year and a half later and still going strong. I attracted so many incredible creative and talented people through Drawing Club, and it’s a leap of faith I will be forever thankful I took.
Edgar Estrada
Sociology and Music
Omaha, NE
A Resource I Sought Out On Campus and How It Helped:
After getting used to UNL and campus, I wanted to seek a resource that would assist me as a first-generation college student. Since I was already part of the Nebraska Emerging Leaders Program, I decided to check out the office this program was housed under since I had heard so many great things. I sought out the Center for Academic Success and Transition. This office has countless resources for students like myself. Not only do they highly cater to first-generation students, but they also offer support for students who struggle with the transition into college like I did. If I had trouble with time management, studying, etc. they were able to help me find solutions to such problems and allowed me to destress there as well. The office has such a friendly environment with the most personable staff, so I would make regular visits. Being a peer mentor for programs through this office allowed me to recognize how many different resources this campus has to offer, and we as students should take advantage of them.
Guilherme Eymael
Mechanical Engineering
Porto Alegre, Brazil
The Best Advice I Could Give an Incoming Student:
I wish I knew during my freshman year how time in college flies by. I know that college can be overwhelming, and sometimes we have to spend nights in the library instead of having fun with friends. But the best piece of advice that I can give is to fully enjoy your time here. The time you spend in college will pass faster than you think, but these will be the best four years of your life. So, get involved! Put yourself out there to meet new people, be part of a student organization, travel abroad, do research! These are good ways to have fun while getting prepared for what comes after graduation.
Payton Flower
Agricultural Economics
Scottsbluff, NE
Why I Chose My Major and What Are My Career Aspirations:
Growing up in Western Nebraska, one of my biggest passions was showing livestock. From ages 8-18, I exhibited cattle, sheep and hogs on the county, state and national level through 4-H and FFA. Looking back, I attribute my passion for agriculture to my years of involvement in these organizations. After visiting East Campus several times through Nebraska FFA and the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, I knew the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CASNR) would be my future home. At UNL, I chose to major in Agricultural Economics on the Public Policy option to pursue a career where I can continue to advocate for the agricultural industry. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a career that allows me to communicate with consumers while doing meaningful work on behalf of the producers who run the industry. In the future, I hope to either practice agricultural law or work on agricultural policy in some capacity.
Brytany Gama
Agricultural Education-Leadership
Omaha, NE
The Best Advice I Could Give an Incoming Student:
The best advice I can give an incoming student is to never be afraid of sharing your story with the world. We all bring a different perspective to the table. Without one or the other’s story, we would all be the same; there would be no one to challenge us to learn more about each other. For me, sharing the story about being an immigrant and a DACA recipient has been uncomfortable and challenging, but through the various platforms and opportunities UNL offers, we are encouraged to share our stories. If it was not for the many of the opportunities I have taken, I would not have my passion for immigration rights. Not only will sharing your story liberate you, but it allows the others to learn more about who you are.
Luke Gomez
Economics
Topeka, KS
Tips for Approaching a Faculty Member:
Like many incoming college students, I was immediately overwhelmed by giant lecture halls on a giant campus. I remember crying on the phone during my first day of classes freshman year because I was so overwhelmed and did not know what to do. After visiting the Center for Academic Success and Transition and consulting with my older friends, I realized that I needed to utilize office hours more. We often hear this stigma that college professors are all mean and cranky, but my experience at UNL has been just the opposite. All of my professors host office hours, and the biggest thing they get cranky about is that students don’t use them enough! Professors want to help, but in big classes, they are less able to identify who needs help. I would encourage new students to email their professor to set up an office hour appointment if they are feeling too embarrassed to ask for help in front of their peers or even the professor.
Erik Goodwin
Business Management
Kansas City, MO
Why I Chose My Major and What Are My Career Aspirations:
I am earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a track in organizational leadership, and I am following the Pre-Health track, while earning minors in Marketing and Humanities in Medicine. I am currently pursuing the healthcare industry for post-grad opportunities, preferably that being medical school or an opportunity within public health and policy. I chose this area of study because it fits me. It definitely wasn’t my first major choice. I solidified this major at the beginning of my junior year. I am interested in pursuing the healthcare industry to make a difference in the maintenance and improvement of public health, and understanding how to effectively manage people and resources in today’s organizational structures is important. I hope to use my organizational and technical knowledge to create positive change in the healthcare industry as a practice physician or as a health policy analyst/activist.
Katie Hill
Actuarial Science
Grand Island, NE
The On-Campus Job I Hold and How It Impacts Me:
I work as a Resident Assistant at Abel Hall. As a Resident Assistant, I foster community on a floor of 76 first-year students while also assisting with their transition to campus life. This job has allowed me to refine my leadership skills while working cohesively with a 13-member staff as well as strengthening my interpersonal skills. With this job, I have become better at mediating conflict and serving as a resource for my residents’ mental, social, emotional and academic success. When I came to campus, I knew that I would need to find a job to assist with the financial aspect of college. Luckily, I was blessed with a job where I can build relationships with others and truly make an impact on the next generation of Huskers.
Gabby Hogan
Political Science
Omaha, NE
Why I Chose My Major and What Are My Career Aspirations:
I was inspired to choose Political Science because of the 2016 election. I was fascinated by all of the ins and outs of politics and how much work candidates do to receive votes. I decided to major in it so I could learn even more. Sometimes I wonder if I should be majoring in something else that has a clearer path that is easier to see. The passion that I feel when I talk about or explain politics to someone else instantly ends the questioning thoughts I have. On my NSE day, I claimed that I was Pre-Law, and I was uneasy about it. I was able to take an exploratory law class taught by the dean of Nebraska law school, and it opened my eyes to the possibility of a Juris Doctor Degree. I don’t have to just be an attorney, I could also lead a non-profit or teach. It’s all up to me when I am ready to decide my path.
Grant Holst
Biochemistry and Spanish
Elkhorn, NE
Why I Chose My Major and What Are My Career Aspirations:
Like many freshmen, I came into college undecided, and it took me a while to finally choose a major. I spent a great deal of my first and second semester in the Explore Center, where academic advisors helped me to explore my passions and refine the goals of my undergraduate experience. With time, I eventually came to the conclusion that I would become a double Biochemistry & Spanish major. I chose Biochemistry because its graduation requirements were a great mix of science courses that continue to prepare me for medical school. Additionally, I chose Spanish because, knowing what it’s like to be a minority myself as a member of the LGBTQA+ community, I wanted to be able to provide as inclusive of a service as possible in my future medical profession.
Miranda Hornung
Agricultural Education
Davey, NE
Tips for Approaching a Faculty Member:
One of the biggest fears of freshman students is approaching faculty and staff to ask for assistance or clarification, or any variety of reasons. Here’s a few tips that I learned during my time at UNL to help make things easy and simple! First, never underestimate a quick email or phone call. Most of the time, issues or questions can be resolved or answered by a one-paragraph email or phone call to the faculty member’s office. Second, if you decide to send an email, be sure to properly address the faculty or staff member. Look them up in the UNL directory to find if they should be addressed as “Dr.” or “Professor” or “Mr.” or “Ms.” Many professors list this in the class syllabus as well! The last tip, and maybe the most important tip, is to remember is that the faculty and staff at UNL want to help you succeed, grow and learn—so don’t be shy about building connections with them!
Wyatt Hubbard
Agricultural Education – Teaching and Leadership
Elm Creek, NE
The On-Campus Job I Hold and How It Impacts Me:
I am a Career Peer Coach within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. In this job, I review cover letters and resumes for students. This job allows me to meet a lot of new people on a daily basis and help them to further their employment skills. I have also been able to further my employment skills and make connections with dozens of employers just over the course of this last year. Working in my college’s Dean’s Office has also allowed me to make connections with my dean and her support staff. These relationships help me to stay on top of new opportunities on campus and make the most out of my college experience. Not to mention, this job also gives me stability in my schedule and allows me to make a little extra money while still remaining on campus.
Riha Karney
Chemistry
Omaha, NE
The Most Surprising Thing About UNL:
When I made the decision to come to UNL, countless people told me that, being from Omaha, it would be like high school all over again with the same faces and same friend groups. That really stressed me out because although I genuinely did love my high school and the people in it, I was really looking forward to making new, long-lasting friendships and wanted to feel like I was embarking on an exciting, different part of my life an hour from home. I quickly found that what people often told me was untrue, and I met so many amazing people in such a short period of time. While it is true that many people who come to UNL are in-state students, I really think that, despite what others may say, students are in control of how similar they want to make their college experience to their high school experience. I’m satisfied with the middle ground I’ve found with keeping cherished high school friendships and meeting so many amazing, driven and kind people who have changed my life for the better.
Melissa Kimbulu
Psychology
Lincoln, NE
Getting Involved with a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) and Its Impact on Me:
College is probably the last time that you will have access to being able to join whatever organization you find that interests you, so take advantage of that. Joining clubs and organizations help you meet so many people in college who are have similar interests to yours. Two RSOs that I have grown fond of are Afrikan People’s Union and African Student Association. It’s not easy being an African-American woman on a college campus or in a classroom where you don’t see a lot of people who look like you. These two organizations allowed me to be around other Black people who can relate to me and my experiences. Overall, the most important thing to remember when joining RSOs is to make sure you are passionate about them; do not join an RSO that serves you no purpose but to simply be something on your resume.
Katie Lamb
Marketing and Management
Grafton, WI
What It’s Like Coming to UNL as an Out-of-State Student:
Coming to UNL from Wisconsin has been an incredible experience that has taught me a lot about the positive impacts that adaptability, support and confidence could have on my life. When I transitioned to UNL, I relied a lot on my independent mindset, which made it hard for me to admit how tough I personally thought it was to be away from everything I once knew. Everything here was different. The restaurants here didn’t exist back home. The people here had funny accents and didn’t understand a lot of my terminology. The one thing that was the same? The love and support I felt from every stranger who later became a friend and showed me what ‘Nebraska Nice’ was all about. Every faculty member and student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln showed me that it was ok to be vulnerable and speak up about what I needed to be successful during this new stage in my life. They made this transition seamless, and I am forever grateful that I was able to have this positive, growth-facilitating experience.
Conner Lardenoit
Psychology
Lincoln, NE
The Most Surprising Thing About UNL:
The most surprising thing about UNL for me is how much people care about you. I really never thought that I would be able to receive a unique college experience being at such a big school, but the way that UNL takes care of you is second to none. They truly put your needs above everything else, and it is so easy to find someone to talk to. UNL is a first-rate institution that other large universities cannot beat.
Tabitha Lincoln
Broadcasting
Omaha, NE
The On-Campus Job I Hold and How It Impacts Me:
Being the Donor Events intern at the Lied has allowed me to be a part of the performing arts and has introduced me to many connections in the career path that I want to follow. It’s been an awesome experience to see how the Lied Performing Arts Center positively affects our community, and I get to help make that possible.
Nia Martinez
Spanish and Communication Studies
Lexington, NE
Getting Involved in a Multicultural Organization or Event:
Shortly after first arriving to campus as a newly enrolled student, I joined the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services (OASIS) student success program. I took an 11-week seminar through which I learned about academic resources available on campus and how to adjust to college coursework. Sophomore year, I was able to work for OASIS as a peer mentor, and I can honestly say it’s become my second home. OASIS provides students with social and academic support and also hosts diversity events for students on campus. It’s a great way to get involved on campus and develop cultural understandings of others!
Elizabeth Nesland
Violin performance, Advertising & Public Relations, and Broadcasting
Rapid City, SD
Getting Involved with a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) and Its Impact on Me:
One thing I knew I wanted to grow in when I came to college was my religion. The Newman Center is a Recognized Student Organization through UNL. When I first arrived, I found my first home away from home there. Between the beginning-of-the-year waffle feed, the Bible studies I was invited into and the inclusive music program, I was making leaps and bounds for myself at college right away. I now participate in many FOCUS programs, lead my Bible study, hold the assistant music director position and help out with community-building retreats. This helped me maintain my values as I have gone through college, and I have made my best friends in college by immersing myself in what the Newman Center had to offer.
Logan Newman
Fisheries & Wildlife and Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Table Rock, NE
Moving to Lincoln from a Small Town:
I really enjoyed living in a small town, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. However, in my senior year, I was ready to try something new. I was really excited about moving to Lincoln. It was a little scary in some aspects. Being a class of only 22 students, there was only one other person from my high school coming to UNL. I knew a few people from neighboring towns who were coming here, but I really didn’t know a whole lot of people. I knew that I was about to experience things and meet people that I would never even think of in my small town. I have really enjoyed my time at UNL, and I have realized that even though there are thousands of people here, and there are more people who live in each residence than in my small town of 200 people, I see people who I am friends with randomly on campus every day. I believe that UNL is just one “big” small community, and I have grown as a person because of it.
Nidhi Polekar
Political Science, English, and Film Studies
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Indore, India
What It’s Like Coming to UNL as an International Student:
The only constant in life is change. As someone who is most excited by the impermanence of things, traveling and living in different places has defined the majority of my life. With adrenaline running wild in me for the 8,240 miles and 20+ hours that I traveled, I did not truly understand what the future held for me. It was not until my second semester that I finally understood the importance of sharing my story and learning others’. Coming to UNL changed my views and perspective on a lot of things. It has brought me ideas, stories and people that I did not know I needed in order to grow as a person. Having people from my own country to comfort me when I am homesick, people from other countries when I cannot contain my curiosity of how it is growing up in different part of the world and having the opportunity to explore indefinite depths, Nebraska has shaped my identity while providing me a path for the future.
Madeline Schmit
Emerging Media Arts
Lincoln, NE
Why I Chose My Major and What Are My Career Aspirations:
My major is Emerging Media Arts. It’s a brand new major in the Johnny Carson School that studies the future storytelling possibilities of new media and technology. I am interested in becoming a filmmaker, and learning about the changing landscape of media has been really beneficial to me. This major has introduced me to all sorts of people who have similar interests to me, and I’ve gotten to experience being on a student film set. However, another reason this major is great is because it is able to cater to the needs of the individual student. I have friends who are interested in pursuing animation, video game design, even VR. I hope one day to write screenplays and direct my own films, but really, I just want to be involved in the process!
Erika Swenson
Fisheries and Wildlife
Blair, NE
The On-Campus Job I Hold and How It Impacts Me:
I currently work as a suite host in Memorial Stadium during Husker football games, and I love it! Memorial Stadium has 101 suites, and each suite is assigned a suite host who sets it up and takes care of any issues that may arise during the game. I have worked in my designated suite for two seasons now, and I will be working one last season with them this fall. I love getting to interact with my suite owners and their guests and have enjoyed getting to know them these past few years. This job opened my eyes to the inner workings of Nebraska Athletics and what it takes to pull off a successful sporting event. I have improved my costumer service skills as well as my problem-solving abilities through this position. I also never have to worry about what my plans are for a game day because I know exactly where I’ll be!
Emme Thurlo
Biological Sciences
Lee’s Summit, MO
Getting Involved with a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) and Its Impact on Me:
My first semester here at UNL I wanted to get involved but never actually went to any meetings. I was nervous coming to a big university out of state, and I was afraid of going to club activities alone. This changed second semester of my freshman year when I had a friend who forced me to go to a club with her. This club is called Spectrum, and I am still a member. Spectrum has really helped me to connect and meet new people on campus as well as help me to learn more about the LGBTQA+ community. Through this club I also learned of another club on campus called oSTEM, a club for “out” students who are in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. I have been able to learn more of the STEM worlds and have great discussion with fellow STEM people about ethical dilemmas in the STEM fields as well as challenges that queer students will face when they enter the work force.
Sydney Trench
Elementary Education
Omaha, NE
Getting Involved with a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) and Its Impact on Me:
My freshman year I wasn’t involved in any organizations on campus. My sophomore year, I had the opportunity to join UPC Nebraska, and it immediately changed my college experience. Through an application and interview process, I was asked to serve on general council for UPC Nebraska, which strives to bring diverse, entertaining and educational events to enhance the Lincoln community. I began creating friendships with other amazing students on council who had the same goal as me: to bring something great to campus, even if it is just one event at a time.
Peyton Walker
Supply-Chain Management and Pre-Law
Fort Collins, CO
The Best Advice I Could Give an Incoming Student:
If I could go back in time and give my freshman self one piece of advice, it would be to relax. As an extremely Type A individual under the impression that I could have my entire life planned out before college even began, stress weighed heavy on my shoulders. With my eyes set on law school, I put a lot of pressure on myself academically and failed to see the numerous opportunities for growth that college presented. It wasn’t until I began involvement with Big Red Resilience and Well-Being that I saw the value in living a balanced life and allowing myself time for relaxation. While I still prioritize my studies and am in the process of preparing for law school, I now understand that life has a funny way of working itself out. Allowing the pieces of my life to fall into place will paint an even more beautiful picture than anything I could force.
Gracie Williams
English/Language Arts Education
Broken Bow, NE
Moving to Lincoln from a Small Town:
When I first came to campus, I was very excited for the change that a university of 26,000 students would bring compared to my graduating class of 59 at Broken Bow High School. I was so ready to make friends who shared my same values and to experience the freedom of college life! One thing I was nervous about, though, was how I would measure up to other students coming from bigger schools. I feared my high school education was somehow lacking in comparison to that of larger high schools, and that I would know nobody compared to everyone else. Looking back now, I have come to realize three things. One: I was just as prepared (and just as nervous) as everyone else. Two: my small-town social network did not fail me! I saw so many familiar faces from high school activities in each class I took, and it helped UNL feel like home. Three: my journey is my journey. Regardless of where you come from, whether it’s a tiny village or a city of a million, every Husker’s story is uniquely different, and that’s what makes us all so special.
Tessa Yackley
Civil Engineering
Buhler, KS
Why I Chose My Major and What Are My Career Aspirations:
I was never the kid who always knew what I wanted to be. As a freshman, I was nervous I wouldn’t find my passion because I didn’t have a set path to start on. After meetings with Career Services, I decided I wanted to study Civil Engineering. As a woman in a very male-dominated field, I have different aspirations than 80% of my classmates. I want to show the future generations that the way you look doesn’t determine how successful you will be, it doesn’t change how much of an impact you will have and it doesn’t make your ideas lesser than the majority sitting around you. With a major in Civil Engineering and minor in Architectural studies, I want to build a new foundation for community expectations starting with structural sustainability, flow system (waterway) design and environmental prosperity. As a future engineer, I realize how vital my role will be in creating real change that will have an impact on the lives of so many.