December 2022 Graduate Q-&-As
16 Dec 2022
Nine SECD students who are graduating with their bachelor's degrees shared Q-&-As ahead of the Dec. 17 commencement ceremony. Amanda Cardey, Sydney Huls, Riha Karney, Sarah Rogoz and Kaylie Trumble are earning degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders, while Jessilyn Coe, Alexis Goodenberger, Maddy Nelson and Julia Raffel are completing dual degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education (K-6).
Amanda Cardey
Omaha, Nebraska | Communication Sciences & Disorders (Education Studies minor)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I chose Nebraska for my undergraduate degree because of the amazing speech department and the networking opportunities the school provided me.
What made you interested in pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders?
I had a friend growing up who had a sibling with special needs. I loved watching them improve their communication skills and I saw a direct impact on their quality of life. I wanted to be able to help provide those opportunities to others.
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
Getting the chance to form lasting relationships with professors and knowing that I can still reach out to them with questions as I go through graduate school and begin my career.
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, CEHS Student Advisory Board, UNL marching band, DSAF volunteer, equestrian team member
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
For me earning a degree from UNL means that I not only get to be a lifelong Husker but I am also one step closer to achieving my life goals.
What are your plans after graduation?
Working as a special education teacher while applying to graduate programs.
Jessilyn Coe
Crete, Nebraska | Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I chose Nebraska because Nebraska has been and will always be my home. Prior to committing to UNL, I had only heard great things about the education program and the resources and supports that UNL provide students.
What made you interested in teaching, and in Special Education in particular?
I grew up spending days in my mom's and my grandma's classroom any time I had days off from school. It was so fun spending time pretending to be a teacher, and that excitement never went away! My love for special education started my sophomore year of high school when I did a job shadow in a special education preschool classroom. After that, I sought out any opportunity I could to learn more about special education and disabilities, including working in a life skills classroom and participating in unified activities.
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
My practicum experience in a life skills classroom and my time working with a student with a reading disability in the Reading Center.
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
Aspiring Educators, unified sports, UNL Student Council for Exceptional Children
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
Earning my degree in Nebraska is the first step in following my passion of working in a special education classroom.
What are your plans after graduation?
I signed a continuing contract with Lincoln Public Schools. I will teach special education at Clinton Elementary for a semester than apply for another position within LPS next year!
Alexis Goodenberger
McCook, Nebraska | Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
In complete honesty, there wasn’t much thought put into what college I would attend. I liked the atmosphere of the college when I toured, so I decided that this is where I was going to go. Thankfully, my four and a half years here at UNL have treated me well.
What made you interested in teaching, and in Special Education in particular?
I’ve always been drawn to teaching. I didn’t consider many other career options, and I liked the thought of being a teacher. I added special education later in my college career, because there are more job opportunities with this major. A more important reason is because no matter what, as a teacher you will encounter students with disabilities. It’s our job to know how to teach all of our students.
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
One aspect of my experience that I think is very beneficial is knowing how to differentiate instruction for my students. Even in general education, you need to be able to differentiate work or plans for your students. I believe that special education helps to foster that ability.
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
During my undergraduate experience I have been involved in CSF (Christian Student Fellowship), Learning Communities (both as a student and a mentor), and various Bible studies throughout the years.
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
Earning my degree from Nebraska is something that I take pride in. Being able to leave my small town and grow in Lincoln has been hard work. I’m proud of the work that I have done to earn my degree at this institution.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to substitute down in the southwest corner of the state throughout next semester, while also applying for jobs. I plan to accept a teaching position for the 23/24 school year in the same area as well. Once I have a job lined up I will begin working toward a master’s degree.
Sydney Huls
Sterling, Nebraska | Communication Sciences & Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology emphasis (Education Studies minor)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I didn’t start off my college career at UNL, I actually started at UNK. While I was there, it really didn’t feel like home…something just didn’t click for me. I started looking at UNL, once I took my tour, I instantly felt like I found my home away from home. There are numerous organizations to get involved in and an infinite number of resources to help you succeed. I love how many different classes there are, if you’re interested in a topic, UNL more than likely offers a class for it. Another big reason I liked UNL is how generous they are with financial aid; they have various ways and opportunities to get financial aid. There truly is no place like Nebraska.
What made you interested in pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders?
This field has endless possibilities. Every day I learn something new that we can do in this profession. I love the variety of clients we get to work with and the impacts our work makes on individuals lives. This profession is needed, our work is valued and impactful.
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
Being introduced to the various resources. It’s been helpful seeing the different online databases that we can refer to if we need answers.
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
On campus: Nebraska Human Resource Institute (NHRI), Minority Health Disparities Initiative (MHDI) undergraduate researcher, Cochlear Implant Research Lab volunteer, Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders (GFPD) fellowship, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) member, student marketing representative and executive board member. Off campus: assistant manager of Swimtastic Swim School.
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
Getting a college degree is a huge accomplishment, I am honored to receive mine from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will start graduate school in August, pursuing my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Riha Karney
Omaha, Nebraska | Communication Sciences & Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology emphasis (Education Studies minor)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I wanted to be somewhere that was close to home but still allowed me enough space to grow, become my own person, and challenge me to branch out!
What made you interested in pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders?
I was initially a chemistry major on the premed track! Through my involvements, I found that I just loved the interpersonal and mentoring interactions I had and wanted to focus on those. I was drawn to speech language pathology specifically due to my love for language and words. Learning English as a second language was tough, and I wanted to help individuals be successful in communicating the way they want to!
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
I feel like my coursework has helped me begin to learn what it would be like to be a clinician by doing case studies, language samples, practicing intervention techniques and learning a lot of application-based content. It makes me excited to practice as an SLP and gives me an idea of what to expect!
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
I'm involved in the Honors Program and have been an Honors Ambassador, Honors Peer Mentor, Honors Peer Mentor Leader, and Honors After School Club Leader (and a coach as well). I was a New Student Enrollment Leader and a teaching assistant for chemistry and a few introductory freshmen Honors courses. I have been a leadership mentor for NHRI and have participated in undergraduate labs involving biochemistry research, bilingual language learning research, and stuttering research. I was a member of the Innocents Society my senior year. I'm currently a student staff/teaching assistant at UNL's Children's Center and a direct support professional for the Autism Center of Nebraska!
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
It feels very bittersweet because I've lived in Nebraska for most of my life, so to see how far I've come and the path I've taken feels very exciting but also a little scary to think about the future!
What are your plans after graduation?
I'm currently applying for graduate schools to get my master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. During my gap semester, I will be working at the Children's Center, waiting for application statuses, and visiting India to see my family!
Maddy Nelson
Pierre, South Dakota | Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I always wanted to go out of state for college but still be close enough to family. The minute I toured UNL, I knew this was where I belonged.
What made you interested in teaching, and in Special Education in particular?
I have worked with kids for as long as I can remember, and it has always been a passion of mine. I always have made it a priority to build connections with every student that I have worked with, but one opened my eyes as to how this approach can be so impactful for a student’s personal and academic growth. Because many students in special education have behavioral and emotional issues, these relationships can be especially unique between the special education teacher and student.
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
The student-teaching experience allows you to put everything that you’ve learned about education and your subject matter into action and that is exactly what I got out of my student-teaching experience and then some! It was a very unique and stressful semester, but I learned so many things about teaching and molding my own teaching style. I fully embraced the opportunity of stepping right into a role without a CT and in doing so, I have gained so much confidence in my teaching abilities. The experience I have gained is just incomparable to anything.
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
All my hard work has finally paid off. It wasn’t always easy, but I wouldn’t trade any of it. UNL, my professors, and friends I have met along the way have taught, shaped, and helped me find the best version of myself. Though this chapter of my life is closing, I am so excited for the new one to begin.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be teaching kindergarten at Roper Elementary School here in Lincoln. I did my student teaching here, so I am excited to finish the year out with my students and see them grow over the next few months!
Julia Raffel
Elkhorn, Nebraska | Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I chose Nebraska because the teaching degree program is the best in the state. I have known that I wanted to be a special education teacher in an elementary school for many years and UNL just made sense. I also chose UNL because the campus is far enough away from home to be independent, but close enough to visit home whenever I want.
What made you interested in teaching, and in Special Education in particular?
As a kid who struggled with the way topics were taught in a traditional way, I started receiving special education services in kindergarten. Throughout my schooling, my special education teachers made a real difference to me. With help, things started to click in middle school and then my high school special ed teacher helped me to perfect my learning approaches. I just wish my trajectory started in elementary school instead of later. Along the way, I knew I wanted to be that kind-souled, friendly faced, special education teacher to make sure all students get the correct education they need. I want to help students in those early interventions in elementary school so they don’t get as frustrated as I did. I want them to know there is nothing that will stand in their way of learning. Every student is capable of learning, it just takes some patience, time, and communication to figure out the way they learn best!
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
I think the most beneficial part has been my experiential learning. I combined my experience of being a student who received special education services with the theories and best practices I learned in my university classes to positively impact elementary school students. Each of my Cooperating Teachers helped me perfect my techniques along the way. I learned so much from my time in practicum with Lincoln Public Schools. My student teaching semester with Lake County Public Schools in Florida and Omaha Public Schools has further prepared me for my own classroom. I look forward to using the skills, activities, and classroom management ideas from each teacher who mentored me. This has instilled me with confidence that I have a strong starting base when I start working with my own students in January.
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
I really enjoyed campus life! I was I was the President of Hillel for 2 years, I was active in a sorority, and I helped give tours for incoming Freshman and their families. Husker games are fun, win or lose, and I’ve been on ESPN many times when they show the student section.
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
Earning my degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is special because it’s the top university in the state. Along with a solid education to start my career, I will have many networking opportunities with other UNL alumni who are already teaching in the schools where I will soon work. Recently, I found out another member of my graduating class has also been hired into the same elementary school as me. We will represent the Huskers to the best of our abilities.
What are your plans after graduation?
I have accepted the role of Special Education teacher with Omaha Public Schools and will start in just a few weeks. I am also training a classroom therapy dog and hope to have her in the school and interacting with the students soon.
Sarah Rogoz
Woodridge, Illinois | Communication Sciences & Disorders, Audiology emphasis
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I chose Nebraska because growing up when I visited my sister when she attended UNL, I always had a great time and fell in love with the campus!
What made you interested in pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders?
I always knew I wanted to go into a form of healthcare, but I also love the aspect of teaching and counseling. Audiology had a good balance of healthcare, counseling, teaching others about disorders, and interprofessional opportunities with other clinicians.
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
The CSD cohort for my year has really become a team. We were all so comfortable with each other and the professors, and it created an engaging environment. I believe in a graduate program I can aspire to create a cohort that is just as welcoming and comfortable.
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
I was a Vice-President for my sorority, I completed an independent research project through the UCARE organization, I volunteered at the Nebraska Hearing Aid Banks, and I am currently a research assistant at the Cochlear Implant Research Lab.
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
I have truly loved my undergraduate experience at Nebraska, and I value the education I have received. I also have been honored to be given the opportunities I have for my program of study.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am currently applying to graduate schools to join a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program Fall of 2023. In the meantime, I will be continuing to work as a research assistant!
Kaylie Trumble
Lincoln, Nebraska | Communication Sciences & Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology emphasis (Education Studies minor)
Why did you choose Nebraska?
I grew up in Lincoln, so I have always looked up to being a Husker. Lincoln is my home, and UNL has a great program for the field I want to pursue and is a wonderful community!
What made you interested in pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders?
My interest began once I neared the end of my high school career and recalled how my brother had worked with a speech-language pathologist. I remember being intrigued by how the SLP worked with my brother, and curious about how the exercises they were doing helped with his articulation. Soon I found myself drawn to the purpose of empowering individuals to be able to advocate and communicate!
What is one aspect of your undergraduate experience that you think will be most beneficial to you as you move forward?
The opportunity to learn from so many different professors has been so beneficial! We have a wonderful faculty team, and I value the information and expertise I gathered from each professor during my time in the CSD program. Being able to take the information we were learning and apply it directly to our field has been so beneficial for my learning and preparation for graduate school.
What events/organizations/activities have you been involved in on- and off-campus?
I was actively involved in the Honors Program and the Honors Peer Mentoring Program, serving for two years and just finishing my term as the program's Vice President. I was also involved in the Honors After-School Learning Opportunities, Chi Omega, and the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA). Off-campus, I am a dance instructor and office manager at a local studio and a choreographer for local high schools in Lincoln and surrounding Southeast Nebraska cities.
What does it mean to you to earn your degree from Nebraska?
Growing up in Lincoln, I have always looked up to UNL and the idea of being a Husker. Being able to graduate from here and have it launch me toward my educational and career goals is such a meaningful experience for me!
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will work for Lincoln Public Schools as a speech-language pathologist assistant in the spring and then will attend graduate school in the fall.
Special Education and Communication Disorders