I'm A Husker &

Jacinta was a high-achieving, outgoing student. But when she found herself growing unmotivated and sleeping a lot, she realized that she needed help. She turned to her religion, her academic advisor and Counseling and Psychological Services before going to the doctor. Finally, in March 2016, Jacinta was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Though Type 1 Diabetes is considered a childhood disease, it is on the rise in teens and young adults. Type 1 occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the bloodstream to dangerous levels. Her doctor got her started on insulin and worked with her to find a pump that would work best. Jacinta was referred to an on-campus diabetes educator, which was helpful for her in learning how to further manage her disease. Educating herself on diabetes made her rethink a few things, including her major. She switched from elementary education to nutrition and dietetics in the hope of becoming a dietician where she could one day work with clients with diabetes. Jacinta hopes to make an impact before she even graduates as the social media director of the university's College Diabetes Network. In this role, she seeks to raise awareness and provide students an additional on-campus resource. Sharing her experience and advocating for diabetes awareness has left Jacinta feeling that she's serving a larger purpose now than ever before.

Joe Brownell, director of Nebraska’s Military and Veteran Success Center, said he operates the center with one goal in mind: helping students achieve their academic and career goals. “Some [students] take a straight path, and others may have to explore a little bit more, but through it all you’re creating connections so that individuals are successful not only here, but in society,” he said. The Military and Veteran Success Center, now in its fourth year, provides support to students in regard to their military service and academics, offering academic tutors, peer mentors and even medical tests and screenings. For Brownell, the military wasn’t just about serving but doing your part. That’s why he got involved with the center shortly after he retired from the Air Force in August 2018, “I’ve always believed in servant leadership, and this is helping to do that,” Brownell said. “Your career doesn’t end when you leave the military, you still have to give back." As director of the program, Brownell said his main job is to ensure that students have the services and the support that they need to be successful. While it hasn’t always been an easy journey, which Brownell attributes to there not being enough time in the day, he still takes pride in seeing students succeed and accomplishing their goals. “At the end of the day, whatever decisions we make, if we’re focused on the students we’ll be successful,” Brownell said.

What began as a high school senior project for Riana has since turned into an ongoing passion project. Whether it be an up-and-coming business owner or a passionate Nebraska student, Riana has the ability to form people's stories into art. Her interest in storytelling was shaped through her curiosity for history—reading the stories from people of the past sparked her desire to do her own storytelling. This passion has led her to create Kind Magazine, a literary magazine that highlights people all over Lincoln who have made a difference in the community and serves as a way for people to get to know others in the community. When Riana came to the university, she was unsure how she'd continue the magazine. But, the programs she's been involved in, including UNL Nova, the university's Asian-interest sorority group, as well as the people she's met here have given her the inspiration she needed. The wholesome and passionate people in Lincoln and throughout the university have given her a place to belong, inspiration to draw from and a thriving community she gets to be a part of. As Riana continues her chapter at Nebraska, she strives to make an impact by elevating the voices of those within the Lincoln community.

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.