Meagan
Master of Architecture · Montreal, Canada
![Meagan smiles for a photo outside Arch Hall holding a sign that says “I’m a Husker & designing for the community”](https://diversity.unl.edu/styles/800_scale/public/images/featured-people/IHA_Meagan_0.jpg?itok=YnKU1pVJ)
Architecture students value having a space to work on their designs, using the university’s state-of-the-art Innovation Studio to plan out dream projects and stretch their creative strengths.
Through FACT and PLAIN design-build studios’ Art Chapel project, master’s student Meagan and her peers are constructing a space for folks in the F Street Neighborhood Church community to stretch their imaginations, too.
“I want to know that what I’m doing is actually impacting people,” says Meagan, whose role is building affordable furniture and rolling ladders for the Art Chapel. “It’s not often we’re able to make things for people who can actually benefit the most from architecture.”
The FACT and PLAIN design-build studios work with community non-profits to create original, practical spaces for the populations they serve — while also providing invaluable real-world experience for architecture students. The Art Chapel will offer studio space, exhibitions, classes and other art-related events for the community, turning an aging chapel space on 13th and F into a creative gathering place for the neighborhood.
“With design studio, we get to design and build when working on projects,” says Meagan. “We’re working with an actual contractor and learning how real-world projects happen, which is super valuable to experience while you’re still in school.”
The heavy use the Art Chapel hopes to have brings with it important design considerations.
“Durability is super important — we don’t want to frighten people away by making it too perfect,” says Meagan. “It needs to be usable for people and not too precious. The whole point of the space is that it’s going to have paint everywhere.”
While still in progress, the Art Chapel already had an opening for a First Friday art walk last fall, allowing people in the community to display their work on its walls.
“We were able to talk to people who are actually going to be using it eventually,” Meagan says. “It’s really amazing to see how excited people are to have this in their community.”
Abla
Assistant Professor of Practice of Arabic Language and Culture · Syria
![Professor holding sign with students](https://diversity.unl.edu/styles/800_scale/public/images/featured-people/21373186_356031611497979_6099880800533086208_n.jpg?itok=2uX3FjQK)
As a hijabi Muslim woman in the middle of the United States, Abla really hasn't felt much different. She and her family have been graciously welcomed into the hearts, homes, churches and temples of the Lincoln community. Being away from Syria for 10 years, she's still surprised when people go out of their way to greet her with "salam alycom," which means "hi" in Arabic, or more specifically, "peace be with you." Efforts as small as these speak volumes to her. Half of her 10 years in Nebraska have been spent teaching at the university. She absolutely loves it, and she created a minor in Arabic studies that offers students three years of language and a new cultural experience. A couple of her courses are Love and Sexuality in the History of Arabic Culture and Women in the Qur'an, bringing Arabic culture to the classroom through media, authentic videos, poetry, music, dancing and food.
Heather Mahowald
Recruiting officer and instructor for Air Force ROTC · East Grand Forks, Minnesota
![Heather smiles for a photo holding a sign that says "I'm a Husker & I develop future leaders"](https://diversity.unl.edu/styles/800_scale/public/images/featured-people/11.11_HeatherM.jpg?itok=1a2cU_ve)
Heather knew she wanted to serve her country from a young age. Growing up, she often listened to the stories her dad told her about life in the Army. In 2000, she joined the Air Force ROTC. Now, 18 years later, Heather is a cadre member at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Air Force ROTC program.
Heather completed her degree and then commissioned into the military as a force support officer. After eight years of active duty, Heather switched to the reserves and started her family. As her kids grew out of their toddler years, she decided it was time to return to active duty.
“I really missed leading, I really missed that ability to be a positive influence,” Heather said. “So when I saw the opportunity to teach ROTC and come back on active duty, I jumped at the chance to do it.”
Heather's job allows her to work directly with the Air Force’s future leaders, whether it’s through teaching classes or talking with them one-on-one about their future in the Air and Space Force.
“I also really have a strong desire to be a positive influence on the next generation...it energizes me to be a part of that mission,” Heather said.
But being a member of the military isn’t always easy.
“We have a lot of sacrifices that we have to make for our families because the mission comes first,” Heather said.
That means she can be away from her family for months for training or have to leave for work early and come home late. She misses time with her kids, but she knows it’s worth it.
“On Veteran’s Day my kids write stories to their favorite vet, and they will usually write a story about their mom,” Heather said. “Their little stories reflect on how I’ve had to be gone from home but also how proud they are of what their mom gets to do. When I get to see the stories they bring home, I know that they get it. They know that what mom is doing is important.”
Nick
Broadcasting · Cozad, Nebraska
![Nick smiles for a photo inside Muchachos with a sign that says "I'm a Husker & building community through food"](https://diversity.unl.edu/styles/800_scale/public/images/featured-people/IHA_240725_NickMaestas_002.jpg?itok=nVSAMPcu)
Technically speaking, he’s still 10 credit hours away from earning his degree. But, that hasn’t stopped small business owner Nick from bleeding Husker red as much as anyone else.
The owner of Muchachos restaurant, Nick keeps his passion for UNL and the Lincoln community at the center of his business, especially as an early adopter of NIL partnerships with student-athletes.
"The pride I have in being able to represent UNL and the Lincoln community through my business is immense,” he says. “It’s a responsibility I take seriously."
Although he didn't complete his degree, Nick's time at UNL was transformative. While his broadcasting major helped him intern with the MLB and Baseball Hall of Fame in NY, being away from Lincoln helped Nick realize that his true calling was back home.
"Nebraska has always been home to me," he says. "I made some amazing relationships, but it never felt like home. I knew I had to stay here."
The idea for Muchachos was born out of the loss of his grandfather and the desire to preserve the traditional cooking he so closely associated with their relationship.
"After my grandfather passed away, I was craving a homemade tortilla and took out the rolling pin he made me. I had never felt better than in that moment.”
As he fine-tuned his unique blend of New Mexican cuisine and BBQ, Nick looked for ways to connect his new restaurant with UNL. A Husker superfan, he took advantage of NIL partnerships with student-athletes as a way of encouraging all Huskers to feel welcome in his restaurant.
"I always wanted to be involved with the university in some way. When NIL came out, I knew I had to do this," he says. "I love seeing the pride that these athletes have when they bring their friends and family to Muchachos. It’s a special feeling to be a part of their journey."
For Nick, success is helping others feel connected to their community.
"Connecting with the students and being a part of their lives in some small way, it’s incredibly rewarding. It’s about giving back to a community that’s given me so much."