Michael
Biological Science · Scribner, Nebraska
Coming from a high school class of 18 to a college of over 25,000 may seem daunting, but Michael Broussard always dreamed of being a Husker. Watching football season after season as a kid, Michael has always known the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was the place where he belonged. He embraced the transition from a small town to a large school, getting involved from day one and fully immersing himself into what Nebraska has to offer. During his sophomore year, Michael got involved with an on-campus organization called Camp Kesem (@campkesem_unl), a nonprofit organization that supports children through and beyond their parent's cancer. His own experiences with cancer prompted him to get involved. When Michael's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer his freshman year of college, he saw how it affected his younger sisters. After her diagnosis, his sisters went to Camp Kesem and Michael became interested in how Camp Kesem made an impact in children's lives. Camp Kesem, he said, has allowed him to grow and help kids understand and cope with the uncertainties revolving around their parent's cancer. The organizations he's joined and the people he's met have made his time at Nebraska life-changing. When reflecting on his favorite student life memories, Michael can't just say one. Every football game, class and organization he's been apart has given him more reasons to love the university and continue to grow as a student.
Read all student storiesMarianna Burks
science learning specialist, biology instructor and educational sciences PhD student · Baton Rouge, Louisianna
Marianna is making science accessible to all students.
“I tell my students, whatever you experienced in biology or science before you have taken my course...throw it out the window,” Marianna said. “We are going to reset all of the experiences that you may have had if they were negative in science and biology.”
As an instructor for BIOS 101 and LIFE 120, she’s dedicated to helping students overcome their struggles in science and realize their capacity for success in the subject.
“I can have students that are straight-A students that say, ‘Mrs. Burks, I don't think I'm good at science.’ And I’m like, ‘What do you mean you’re not good at science? You’re doing great. But, in terms of if they feel fulfilled in their ability to do science, that's very different from a student's ability to be successful just in college.”
To help her students feel empowered by their abilities, Marianna takes on the role of both instructor and mentor. She forms personal connections, shows them the tools they need to succeed, and cheers them on even after the semester is over.
“I enjoy the relationships we develop during our time in the semester, and the other thing is that those students always come back to me.”
Her teaching method is also the driving force behind the research she is doing for her dissertation, titled, “An Assessment of the Relationships Critical in Developing Science Self-Efficacy in First-Generation Undergraduate College Students.”
Marianna’s impact is clear — and the cards she proudly displays in her office from former students prove that her empathy and enthusiasm-led teaching style is effective.
“My passion every day has been to educate the students and serve them...what has been rewarding about what I do is even just the thank-you's that I get.” Marianna said. “I have hundreds of thank-you cards...that has also been the reward, to see their journeys, to watch their journeys and to know that I was a part of influencing their journey.”
Jan
Director of the Women's Center · Lincoln
Jan has been the director of the Women's Center since 1998, but that's not where her NEBRASKA story began. She started her undergrad at Nebraska, but at the end of her freshman year, her mother suddenly passed away. When she came back the next fall, no one asked if she was okay. She kept it together for two more years, but eventually flunked her classes and dropped out. After three years, she came back to school and discovered the Women's Center. She felt completely welcomed, and the people there gave her resources and connections to cope with her loss. That experience has shaped how she directs the center today. Now, there are a lot more men interested in violence prevention work, and Jan has even created a men and masculinity class that's being offered this spring. More services have been created, too, like free confidential counseling, 6,000 gender-related books and outreach programs. These programs include UNL Prevent, a relationship violence peer education group that focuses on bystander intervention and sexual assault awareness, and Healthy Outlook Peer Educators, a group that focuses on body image and self esteem. When reflecting on her time so far, Jan is most proud of the alumni that took the center's philosophy of empowerment and collaboration to make real change in the world. One has gone on to be the director of the Women's Fund in Omaha, another works in Denver at a eating disorder recovery center and many more are making a positive impact in our community.
Read all staff storiesKatie
Class of 2001 · Lincoln, Nebraska
Katie uses her legal expertise to help Native American tribes. After graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2001, she went on to Columbia Law School. Now, Katie is a part of the American Indian Law and Policy group at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
Katie represents Native American tribes across the country and has expertise in the area of Indian water settlements. She always knew that she wanted to work on behalf of tribal nations. As a member of the Ponca Tribe, Katie was especially inspired by how passionate her family members were about leading and protecting Nebraska’s first peoples.
“Having my family members be very involved in our tribal government throughout my life...my great grandfather was the chief of my tribe, my grandma and aunt were on the tribal council, my mom is the Director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs. Just seeing all of these role models in my life that were very much involved and passionate about protecting tribal sovereignty and working on behalf of Native people — that advocacy was ingrained in me from a very early age,” Katie said. “I think I always knew that was where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do.”
Aside from her many water settlements, one of Katie’s proudest moments as an attorney was when her pro bono work helped to place a statue of Nebraska’s Chief Standing Bear in the U.S. Capitol.
“Now when people go into the United States Capitol, they will see a Ponca leader that is honored there. It's very close to my heart and touching that there will be hundreds, thousands, millions of people who go on Capitol visitor tours and they will see a tribal leader from my tribe and try and learn more about our history,” Katie said. “Also, it is important to teach my children to be proud of who we are and where we come from — they can see that there's one of their tribal leaders in the United States Capitol who is honored and respected.”