Ahead of May 2026 commencement at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln later this week, CEHS is celebrating four graduate students who share reflections on their time at UNL.
Joy Ezeaku
Enugu Enugu, Nigeria
Master's in Child, Youth and Family Studies
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Graduating from Nebraska represents resilience, growth, and the fulfillment of a journey that took me far from home in Nigeria to a place where I found my voice, purpose, and direction.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moments. How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
It is a reflection of the sacrifices I made, the challenges I overcame, and the knowledge and skills I gained along the way. More importantly, it marks the beginning of a new chapter where I am equipped to make meaningful contributions to global family health and well-being, especially within underserved communities.
As both a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), I developed strong analytical skills and learned how to translate complex ideas into clear, practical knowledge. My research strengthened my ability to address family health and well-being from an evidence-based perspective, while teaching built my confidence in leading, communicating, and supporting others’ learning.
My involvement in presentations and collaborative projects further sharpened my critical thinking and ability to engage with diverse perspectives.
Volunteering with The Big Event and Engage Lincoln grounded my academic work in real community needs and reinforced the importance of service and empathy.
Going forward, I will apply these experiences by combining research, teaching, and community engagement to improve family health outcomes and create meaningful, real-world impact.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
The Big Event
Engage Lincoln
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Global Family Health and Well-being, with a strong focus on mental health, trauma-informed care, and family systems. I aim to continue gaining experience in research and policy work that addresses mental health disparities among youth and families, particularly in underserved communities.
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
After graduation, I am most looking forward to advancing my work in mental health research and contributing to meaningful, culturally responsive solutions that support the well-being of families.
Share a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Katelyn Coburn for being both an exceptional advisor and a true mentor throughout my time as a Husker. Your guidance, patience, and unwavering support have played a significant role in my academic and personal growth. You challenged me to think critically, supported my goals, and believed in my potential even in moments I doubted myself. I am deeply grateful for the impact you have had on my journey, and I will carry the lessons and encouragement you have given me into the next chapter of my career.
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Ali Shull
Davey, Nebraska
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Graduating from University of Nebraska–Lincoln means coming full circle. As a Lincoln native, I grew up going to Husker football games and every year my mom would take me to see the homecoming floats. It always felt like a magical place. To now be part of that story as a graduate makes it even more meaningful-- it’s not just where I studied, but a place that has been woven into my life from the very beginning.
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
My most transformational moments didn’t happen just once; they happened over and over again through the people I learned alongside. I felt both grateful and humbled to be surrounded by so many international students. Hearing their perspectives and learning about their cultures expanded the way I see the world and reminded me that we are all part of something much bigger—a global community learning and growing together to shape the future.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moments. How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
One experience that stands out was my Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience course with Dr. Maital Neta. It was a small class made up entirely of women, representing five countries and eight different ethnicities. I remember looking around the room one day and feeling a deep sense of awe and pride to be part of that space. It was incredibly empowering.
That experience didn’t just shape me academically; it also shaped how I show up as a mother and role model. I went home and shared that moment with my daughter, and being surrounded by such brilliant, diverse women has strengthened my own sense of purpose while helping instill confidence and possibility in her as well." "Graduate Student Advisory Board-Department Representative
Involvement and activities while on campus:
Graduate Advisory Board-Program Representative, Development and Learning Committee Graduate Student Committee, Graduate Research Assistant for UNL Extension Office, Instructor of Record
What are your plans after graduation?
I recently began a new role at Doane University as a Program Coordinator and Visiting Assistant Professor supporting a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant. My family and I reside in Davey, Nebraska.
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
Reading a book that isn't empirically based!
Write a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
I want to extend my deepest thanks to one of my faculty mentors, Mary Zeleny. Her breadth of life experience and steady support carried me through some of the most challenging personal and academic moments of my journey. She has been a source of both wisdom and reassurance in times when I needed it most.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the friends who studied alongside me. There were many moments when their encouragement gave me the push I needed to keep going, and they provided a kind of understanding that only comes from sharing the highs and lows of graduate school together. I truly couldn’t have done this without them.
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Bridget Slagle
Sargent, Nebraska
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
Graduating from Nebraska with my master’s degree means I’ve accomplished a goal I’ve been working toward for years, and I’m finally stepping into the career I’ve been preparing for the past 6 years. It represents growth, determination, and the start of making an impact in the field I’m passionate about.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moments. How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
The most transformative experience during my time at Nebraska has been joining the Communication Neuroscience Laboratory and learning from Dr. Barlow. I had the opportunity to work with a stroke survivor for my thesis, and she radiates kindness, joy, and perseverance despite having aphasia, which makes communication difficult. I will never forget the day I was able to share our study findings with her, showing new connections in her brain and improvement from where we started. Through this experience, I built meaningful connections, learned under incredible mentorship, and accomplished things I once thought were impossible. It has shaped me as a student, clinician, and person, and I now plan to pursue my PhD to continue building on these experiences and contribute to work that makes a difference for individuals and this field.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Graduate Student Liaison, Volunteer for activities within the Special Education and Communication Disorders Department (e.g., Graduate Student Panel, Research Open House, 5K, fall and spring SLP open houses)
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to start working as an SLP in acute care at a hospital in Lincoln. Then, this fall, I will also start my PhD program here at UNL, and continue to engage in research!
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
Starting my career!
Share a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
Thank you, Dr. Barlow, for your mentorship, encouragement, and guidance throughout my time in the program. Working in your lab has been an incredibly formative experience, and I am so excited to continue!
I am so proud of fellow SLP master's graduate Mande Wolleson! She has been the best research partner and friend throughout the past two years, and I couldn't imagine having done this without her! She will be the most amazing SLP and will make a difference for so many patients and families in her future!
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Mandelin Wollesen
Chadron, Nebraska
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you?
I have always loved University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s tagline, “In our grit, our glory.” This idea translates far beyond football. It captures the resilience and perseverance it has taken to reach this point- through long nights, working my way through college, and learning to keep going even when things felt uncertain. Graduating from UNL is grit and glory.
As you think about graduating from Nebraska, please share any transformational moments. How did it help shape who you are or what you will do going forward?
In my medical rotation for my speech-language pathology program, I had a patient who changed the course of my life. Without revealing any personal details, she was the one who made me fall in love with working with adults with cognitive and swallowing disorders. Working with her showed me how meaningful this work is- not just in addressing impairments, but in helping someone regain independence, dignity, and connection in their daily life. Even near the end, she embodied grit and resilience in the face of adversity. I will carry her story with me throughout my entire career.
Involvement and activities while on campus:
I was also part of a cohort of 36 intelligent, fiercely capable women. Graduating alongside an all-women class was truly empowering. Together, we now join the 11.1% of women in America who have earned a master’s degree!
My involvement in Dr. Steven Barlow’s stroke rehabilitation research in the Communication Neuroscience Laboratory was a formative experience in my training. Contributing to such meaningful and pioneering research in this area was both an honor and an opportunity that deepened my clinical and academic interests.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’ll be living in Lincoln and commuting to my new role at the Good Samaritan Society’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation center in Beatrice, Nebraska. As the first speech-language pathologist there in several years, I’ll be building the speech program from the ground up while providing cognitive-communication, speech, language, and swallowing services to support functional independence and quality of life.
"After graduation, I am most looking forward to _______________."
The connections I will make with my future patients and co-workers!
Share a "thank you message" to someone who helped you throughout your time as a Husker.
First and foremost, I would like to thank Judy Harvey for her endless patience, guidance, and support. She often talks about professionals in our field whom she looks up to, or “fangirls” over...I just hope she knows she is that person for me and my classmates.
To Jessie Kohn, my very first supervisor and the clinician who guided me through my first patient experience: thank you for your grace and patience during those early weeks. I would not be the clinician I am today without you.
To my partner, Tina Arram, and the rest of my family: thank you for your unwavering support throughout my graduate school journey. Through every long night, occasional tears, and frequent celebrations, I have been so grateful to have you guys at my side.
I am so proud of Bridget Slagle! We graduated from the University of Nebraska Kearney together and became friends in our graduate program at UNL. She has been a wonderful friend and role model throughout our two years here! She conducted research in Dr. Barlow's lab with me and is the hardest and smartest worker I know!
College of Education and Human Sciences
Child, Youth and Family Studies
Educational Psychology
Special Education and Communication Disorders
