Abby Cantrell is a hospitality, restaurant and tourism management major from Malcolm, graduating as a Chancellor's Scholar and with highest distinction from the College of Education and Human Sciences on Dec. 20. She shares about her experience as a Husker in this Q-&-A.
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
To me, graduating from Nebraska represents a full-circle moment. I grew up in the Lincoln area, discovered my passion here, and am now stepping into my future with the support of the people and place I’ve always called home.
What were some transformational moment(s) during your time at Nebraska and how did they help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
There were so many wonderful moments that greatly impacted my experience.
One of the most transformational experiences of my time at Nebraska was attending and working the Masters Tournament with the UNL HRTM program. Seeing one of the world’s most iconic events from behind the scenes ignited my passion for large-scale event operations and showed me the level of excellence and attention to detail I want to bring into my own career.
My two-week study abroad experience in Spain and France was equally impactful, allowing me to explore the relationship between food, culture, and hospitality while gaining a broader global perspective. It was also a great opportunity to get to know students in other programs at UNL, learning more about what the University has to offer. This trip taught me a lot about the world and about myself. It may sound funny, but navigating the public transportation in another country gave me a newfound confidence in what I am capable of. If I can navigate another country I am not familiar with and don't speak the language, surely I can create amazing events with all of my education and experience working in hospitality.
I also grew tremendously through my three internship opportunities, each giving me hands-on experience in event planning, hospitality operations, and working with diverse teams. My first internship with Pillar Restaurant Group as an Event Supervisor showed me that while I enjoy day-of event operations, I do not have a strong desire to plan and work social events such as weddings and birthdays. My time at the Nebraska Hospitality Association gave me greater insight into planning fundraising events and managing marketing operations on websites and social media pages. Lastly, my role as an Event Management Intern at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District let me work on building events with clients and communicating with internal and external departments. It also gave me a much deeper understanding of hotels than I previously had.
Some of the most impactful courses I took at UNL were Advanced Events and Catering. Both courses allowed students to get hands-on experiences, whether that was planning and executing an event from start to finish or actually making the food and catering an event. These courses allowed me to experiment and learn in a safe environment, where it was ok to fail before finding success. The collaboration with instructors and peers made the experiences even more meaningful.
Campus involvements:
Fast Pitch Softball Club, Sports Club Council, student worker (Events and Marketing with Dr. Kristin Malek and later Mike Bergland-Riese with the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education (CSMCE)), Nebraska Event Management Association (NEMA), Intramural sports (sand volleyball, basketball), Rotaract, Honors Program (Fall 2022-Spring 2025), Professional Convention Management Association Student Member - Heartland Chapter
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be continuing my education at UNL by earning a Strategic Marketing Graduate Certificate and continuing my work with the CSMCE on UNL's city campus.
After graduation, I am most looking forward to _____________.
pursuing new opportunities in event planning, building connections, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally
Was there anything that pleasantly surprised you about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or your experience here?
All of the opportunities to grow and learn outside of the classroom!
With a people-focused profession like hospitality, it is important to get hands-on learning experiences, and the UNL HRTM program made sure to provide that!
Write a “thank you” message to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
Dr. K (Kristin Malek) and Dr. Ajai (Ajai Ammachathram),
Thank you, Dr. K and Dr. Ajai, for the guidance, encouragement, and support you’ve given me throughout my time at UNL. Your passion for teaching and your belief in my potential pushed me to grow as a student and as a future hospitality professional. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities, conversations, and confidence you helped me build. You both played a meaningful role in shaping my experience at Nebraska, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without either of you.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Nutrition and Health Sciences
