Shana
Secondary English Education · Niobrara, Nebraska
In high school, Shana knew that the power of education could take her anywhere. After studying hard and receiving scholarships to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she wanted to empower others to do the same. Shana is pursuing a degree in secondary English language arts education, which will allow her to teach in small towns or reservations and, eventually, get a masters degree in counseling to directly guide Native high school students. She believes that high school is an imperative time to encourage and educate students about how important a diploma is in broadening their world and helping their community. In college, Shana worries that Native students struggle because of their lack of preparation on how to thrive in higher education. Luckily, she has revived an organization that offers support for Native students, UNITE. They work to break stereotypes and celebrate Native culture. As the president for the past few years, she has seen the impact it has made on both herself and other students. It's helped her feel at home being around others that understand where she comes from. Each spring, the organization hosts a spring powwow on the green that features vendors and a drum circle. Normally, the powwow honors graduates from the group, but since there aren't any this year, they're bringing in Native students from Lincoln Public Schools to honor their high school graduation, showing how proud they are of something that many people take for granted.
Ryan Sullivan
Clinical Associate Professor · Oshkosh, Nebraska
After serving in the military and completing his bachelor’s degree, Ryan Sullivan purchased a small health club in Texas. As a business owner, he served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and was exposed firsthand to the lack of affordable legal services available to underserved populations.
After that, he made the decision to sell his business and he set off to pursue a career in law. His upbringing emphasized community service and providing for those less fortunate. And growing up relatively poor himself gave him a perspective that guides him in understanding the plight of those who don’t have resources to take advantage of the rights and opportunities available to others.
Now, he's fulfilling that at the local level in helping fight the eviction crisis through the Tenant Assistance Project (TAP) which is making the eviction process more fair.
"It encourages the landlord to engage in a dialogue with the tenant in an effort to work out a mutually beneficial arrangement instead of jumping straight to filing an eviction."
In most cases, TAP volunteer attorneys and student attorneys are able to assist the tenant in getting the action dismissed, or negotiating for additional time to find a new, safe place for their family to live.
In addition to helping tenants directly, Ryan also supervises Nebraska Law students as they conduct preliminary evaluations, represent tenants who appear for their hearing, and make TAP the success it is today. He enjoys seeing his students transform from green, rising third years to full-fledged student attorneys who can capably and confidently defend the rights of their clients.
"My role at the College of Law is innately motivating. I am in a position where I can use my law license and practice experience to help those in need, to guide students in helping those in need, and to mentor future Nebraska attorneys as they complete the clinical component of their legal education—it is pretty hard not to be motivated in this environment."
Craig
· Emporia, Kansas
If you know Craig, you love him. And even if you don’t know Craig, you definitely know — and love —Craig’s work.
As Director of Photography for UNL, Craig’s eye for emotion and knack for being in the right place has created some of our university's most indelible imagery. Craig’s lens has seen it all, from capturing groundbreaking research, community impacts and celebrations to charting the changing seasons on campus — even the occasional foray into nature photography with campus squirrels.
With 15 years at UNL, Craig’s still excited about the next shoot.
“I tell people that behind every door there’s something amazing. And I still haven’t opened every door here,” says Craig. “The energy here is incredible.”
Equally as incredible is the creative flare that marks his work.
“I’ve been here long enough where people know me and are happy to go along with my crazy ideas,” he laughs, citing his wall of 240+ portraits of @engler_unl students on East Campus as an example. “I love working with the students to capture the essence of what they’re doing.”
Craig joined UNL in 2007 after a career in photojournalism that included time at the Omaha World Herald. There, Craig led projects documenting unique sights in all 93 Nebraska counties and all remaining one-room schoolhouses, nurturing a love for the state that shines in his work as a Husker.
"For me, what makes a good photo is the emotion,” Craig shares. “If people like a photo I’ve taken, I know that they’ve felt a connection to this place through my photos — I just love that.”
The 68 (and counting) graduation ceremonies that he’s photographed have made for some of his favorite, and most emotional, images.
“It’s the joy factor, for me. Everyone is just so happy.”
And though the summer months bring an emptier campus with fewer students to photograph, it also means that Craig’s favorite time of year for taking pictures is around the corner.
“My absolute favorite is the week before fall classes begin. The events, the tunnel walk, the BBQs, the sounds — this place just comes alive.”
Sean
Mechanical Engineering · Lincoln, Nebraska
How, exactly, do you ship a robot to space? As Sean learned first-hand last summer, you do it very, very carefully.
Interning for Nebraska Engineering faculty Shane Farritor’s Virtual Incision lab last summer, Sean suddenly found himself preparing one of Virtual Incision’s surgical robots for its maiden voyage to the International Space Station. Launched into space for its 250-mile journey on Tuesday, the hope is that these robots can one day be used to perform surgery remotely from Earth.
For any of that to be possible, the first test robot needs to arrive at the station intact.
“I mostly worked on the hardware to get it up to the station and perform the experiment where the robot cuts rubber bands in its workspace, simulating surgery,” Sean explains. “I basically helped with the equipment that supports the robot.”
While a “locker” sounds simple enough, the process of ensuring the robot makes the journey safely — and is safe for astronauts to unpack once it gets there — requires a staggering amount of detail.
“We created an early version just for simulating vibrations that the robot will experience during launch,” says Sean. “We also used lots of protective measures, working with NASA to prevent safety hazards like electrical fires or structural failures causing injury.”
Sean, who graduated in December and now works full-time at Virtual Incision, will be anxiously awaiting the results of the robot’s journey.
“It's definitely a little nerve-wracking; it’ll be a week or two later until we know for sure, but I'm really excited.”
And for someone who’s worked on a project soaring so high, Sean stays grounded about the experience.
"It’s a privilege, right?” Sean says. “It’s just an honor, so you have to just keep your head down, try your best and work hard on what needs to get done.”