As the University of Nebraska–Lincoln celebrates its May 2025 commencement, CEHS is highlighting six graduates who share about their experiences in this Q-&-A.
Lauren Secilmis
Clinical Doctorate in Audiology
Queens, New York
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Graduating from Nebraska means I have made it to my ultimate goal of being an Audiologist! I will always be grateful for my experiences as a Husker. Having my family there to celebrate this milestone with me is so special, as I would not be here without their unwavering support.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moment(s). How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
My clinical rotations at the Barkley Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic were transformative for me as a UNL student. I am beyond thankful to my preceptors- Drs. Boesiger, Ditmars, Pritchett, Wakefield, and Ray- for igniting my passion for this career.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
Husker Pantry, Neuroimaging for Language, Literacy, and Learning Lab, Amplification and Perception Lab, and Student Academy of Audiology.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be working as a pediatric audiologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Helping tiny humans hear!
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Nicole Davis
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education: English
Lincoln, Nebraska
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Graduating from Nebraska means completing a family tradition. Soon, my brother and I will join my mom, dad, and sister as proud UNL alumni. I came here expecting familiarity, but I found a place where I felt I truly belonged. In the end, I found myself at UNL, and I couldn't be more grateful.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moment(s). How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
BAD 111 was transformational for me. I was intrigued by the idea that my strengths were individual to me, and even more inspired to guide students in recognizing and applying their own unique strengths. After taking MNGT 451, I realized that teaching made me feel complete. I was lucky to have three friends in my teaching cohort that I had met during my time as a Campus Host. I grew into who I am today as they surrounded me with love, joy, and laughter.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
I was involved with Delta Gamma Sorority, intramurals, and Inclusive Business Leaders. I was also a Clifton Strengths Coach, Campus Host, and I worked at the UNL Dairy Store.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I will be teaching at Millard North High School in Omaha, NE.
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
Moving to Omaha with one of my best friends!
Was there anything that pleasantly surprised you about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or your experience here?
I was pleasantly surprised by how often I would run into friends on such a large campus. I would typically try to take a route in front of the union in the hopes of seeing as many people as possible.
Share a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
Dear Ellie, Jameson, and Jillyan, thank you for bringing joy to every class we had together. Thank you for giving me a reason to want to go to class when it was freezing outside. Thank you for believing in me, being patient with me, and for being friends I could look up to. You have taught me what it means to appreciate the little things and question big things. I don't know where would be in my education without having met you.
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Teresa-Linh Tran-Le
Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Wellness
Lincoln, Nebraska
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Graduating from Nebraska to me means honoring my parents' sacrifice and hard work to be where I am today. It is also a celebration of how far I've come and a promise to keep breaking barriers for those who come after me.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moment(s). How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
One transformational moment was when I took Dr. Amelia Li's Sociology of Health class, and I decided to change my path to Public Health the following semester after learning about health disparities that affect different communities. I also took a chance on myself and applied to my first internship that same semester. I was not sure that I was going to get it, but the faculty and staff gave me so much confidence and support while looking at my materials and preparing me for the real world.
Without their help and kindness in navigating life, I would not have pushed myself to new opportunities or believed in the impact I could make. I would like to personally thank some faculty, staff, and offices - Dr. Amelia Li, Natasha Crawford, Kadina Koonce, Dr. Eric Carnes, Kathleen Dillon, Dr. Kenji Madison, OASIS, and TRIO SSS - for their support.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
Vietnamese Student Association, Kappa Delta Chi, Multicultural Greek Council, Order of Omega, Asian Student Union, TRIO SSS Scholars
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will be interning at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and continue to work in Dr. Carnes' lab. After the summer, I will be working towards obtaining a Masters in Public Health.
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
resting and continuing to grow as I am stepping into this next chapter of my life.
Was there anything that pleasantly surprised you about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or your experience here?
Coming to college I did not know what to expect, but I ended up growing more than I could ever imagine, both personally and professionally. I am so grateful for all of the people, opportunities, and experiences UNL has given me.
Share a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
I would like to thank my parents for all of their sacrifices and support throughout my time as a Husker. They motivate me to be the best person I can be, as everything I do is for them.
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Hallie Horner
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Elkhorn, Nebraska
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamt of attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Stories shared from my parents and grandparents encouraged my love for the Huskers before I ever officially became one. The past four years spent here have been truly transformational. I have grown into a confident woman that is devoted to my work and to service to the people around me. It is an honor to have a degree that I have worked so hard for be from Nebraska.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moment(s). How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
All of my experiences at UNL have transformed me into the person that I am today, however, my membership and service in Gamma Phi Beta sticks out the most. Through this dedicated and powerful group of women, I have learned what it means to be a leader, make difficult decisions, support others and work hard. Not only will I take these critical leadership skills into the rest of my life, but the the relationships I have made through this organization as well.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
Gamma Phi Beta, Clifton Builders Program, Teacher Scholars Academy, and NHRI
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be serving as a FOCUS Missionary at a to be determined college campus!
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
After graduation, I am most looking forward to taking the lessons I have learned through my experiences and relationships that I have made here at UNL and continuing to grow. As a FOCUS missionary, I will be working on a different college campus, and I cannot wait to take a small piece of "The Good Life" wherever I am placed!
Was there anything that pleasantly surprised you about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or your experience here?
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has an incredible potential for a rich community. I underestimated just how powerful the community that I experienced would be and I am still blown away by the amazing humans that make up this stellar campus.
Write a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
To all of my best friends that have supported me throughout my time here at UNL, thank you! I would not have been able to grow into the person I am today without you all.
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Barrett France
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences
Lincoln, Nebraska
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
As someone who has lived in Lincoln my entire life, graduating from the University of Nebraska has always been the plan. Both of my parents graduated from here, so it feels good to continue their legacy. I am also proud to say that the education and people I have met here have helped prepare me for the next step in my life.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moment(s). How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
I felt like in most classes I had really just been going through the motions until I hit Dr. Terry Housh's class in Exercise Physiology. This was the first class that I felt was directly applicable and extremely useful in what I wanted to do with my life. Dr. Housh was an amazing professor, and that was the most engaging class I've ever taken.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
Vice President of Pickleball club, College of Education and Human Sciences Student Ambassador, Pre-Physical Therapy Club, College YoungLife
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on attending the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for Physical Therapy School.
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
seeing what all the friends I've made accomplish and do with their next steps.
Was there anything that pleasantly surprised you about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or your experience here?
Honestly, simple enough, it surprised me how many things there were to do and people there were to meet. Even though I am from Lincoln, it really felt like a different world once I moved to campus.
Write a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
I just wanted to say thank you to Raymond Ramirez, Terri Housh, Amanda Higgins, and the entire nutrition department for going above and beyond in helping prepare me for physical therapy school. All of your help is what got me to where I am as a student and will continue to motivate me to be great in whatever I do.
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Sadie Eggerling
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences
Omaha, Nebraska
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Graduating from Nebraska means far more than receiving a diploma. It represents growth — academically, socially, and professionally. It is resilience and determination, built in those long nights, consistent discipline, and the small daily victories. It represents experience — the kind gained not only through my successes, but also through my failures, learning, and meaningful connections I built beyond the classroom. Most of all, it symbolizes a huge achievement — a journey that’s been uniquely mine, shaped by opportunities I know I couldn’t have found anywhere else.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moment(s). How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
There are so many! The most transformative for me was when I got the job at IPC at the end of my freshman year. To qualify for an interview, you must take a non-credit class for the spring semester that teaches the basics of working as a student athletic trainer. I knew very limited medical knowledge at the time, so the class was challenging to say the least. I still remember where I was when I got the call that I had been offered a position.
All I had heard when choosing to go down the Pre-PT path at the beginning of college was how hard it was to get into Physical Therapy school. Getting the job at IPC gave me more than just hands on skills that I will take with me into my career, it gave me the confidence boost I needed to continue pursing my dream. It sparked a deeper drive to challenge myself and discover what I was truly capable of. It inspired me to aim higher in every aspect of my college journey—allowing me to make the dean’s list, become the president of a club, and challenging myself through an internship that turned into a teaching position. While working at IPC, I have learned valuable skills such as patient care through contact and evaluation, the steps to take to diagnose an individual, and proper care after an emergency medical event. It has created such a positive space for me to learn and get hands on experience outside of the classroom.
The other major transformation that took place for me at UNL was in the summer of 2023, when I applied and was accepted into an internship with the physiology lab (BIOS) department. As a part of this, I had to learn how to lecture students on pertinent topics and run in-depth hands-on experiments with them. I have never been the most confident public speaker, so gaining the confidence to lecture on difficult subjects in front of 22 people was a considerable achievement for me. Guiding students though a demanding course and watching their growth and success has been incredibly rewarding.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
President of Pre-Physical Therapy Club, student athletic trainer at Injury Prevention and Care in Campus Recreation, Lead Physiology Lab (BIOS213L) Teaching Assistant, studied abroad at the University of Deusto to complete my Spanish minor, and physical therapy tech at LOPT.
What are your plans after graduation?
Starting UNMC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Omaha, Nebraska, in August.
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
Taking the skills I have developed at UNL into professional school.
Was there anything that pleasantly surprised you about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or your experience here?
The number of opportunities and places to get involved was profound. I knew that to get into physical therapy school, I needed to have experiences outside of the classroom that pushed me as a student, a leader, and an individual. When I started looking around campus for places to get involved, there were so many opportunities that aligned with my interests that I had to pick and choose which ones I wanted to pursue. It really gave me security in knowing that I would be able to add things to my resume and build hands on skills.
Write a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
Dear Raymond,
You have been the best advisor anyone could ask for. You became my advisor about halfway through freshman year, and ever since then you have never wanted anything but the best for me. It is so evident that you care about what you do and the students that depend on you to get through college. Even though we only saw each other three or four times each school year, you always reminded me of the end goal and that it was achievable. Your positive spirit is truly contagious and would help push me even when school would get tough. I want to say thank you for your hard work and the care that you put into your job because it certainly does not go unnoticed!
College of Education and Human Sciences
Nutrition and Health Sciences
Special Education and Communication Disorders
Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education
