The study, titled “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parkinson鈥檚 Disease Patients,” investigates how the global pandemic affected the quality of life and functional abilities of individuals living with Parkinson鈥檚 disease (PD) in the rural Midwest.

The research team was led by first author Maria Andrea Garcia Elizondo 鈥�25 and included fellow graduate Jermaine Francis Jr. 鈥�25, alongside faculty advisor Dr. Juliana de Almeida Cardoso, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Lorraine Edwards, M.D., a neurologist with Central Nebraska Neurology.

鈥淟eading this mixed-methods study allowed us to explore the complex intersection of neurodegenerative disorders and the psychosocial disruptions caused by a global health crisis,鈥� said Garcia Elizondo. 鈥淚t was a rewarding challenge to see the project through from the initial data collection to a peer-reviewed publication. I am incredibly proud that our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by the Parkinson鈥檚 community in the rural Midwest, and I鈥檓 thankful for the mentorship that made this possible.鈥�

The research project was made possible through the 糖心传媒 Excelsior Scholars Program, which provides research grants to students. Garcia Elizondo received the grant in 2022 to complete the research while she and Francis Jr. were students. Garcia Elizondo majored in biochemistry, while Francis Jr. majored in health technology.

Using a mixed-methods approach, the team surveyed 31 participants and conducted 22 in-depth interviews. While the quantitative data showed no significant difference in daily functioning between those who had contracted COVID-19 and those who hadn鈥檛, the qualitative interviews revealed a complex picture of the pandemic’s toll.

The researchers identified five key themes:

• Symptom overlap between COVID-19 and Parkinson鈥檚.
• Health literacy challenges.
• The profound impact of social isolation.
• Varied reactions to the pandemic.
• Diverse perceptions of physical and emotional well-being.

The inclusion of Edwards provided a vital bridge between academic inquiry and clinical reality. Her expertise as a neurologist was instrumental in advising the students and framing the study鈥檚 impact on the local Parkinson鈥檚 community.

鈥淭his project highlights the multifaceted nature of quality of life for those with Parkinson鈥檚,鈥� Cardoso said. 鈥淭he findings emphasize a critical need for interdisciplinary approaches, peer support and community-based programs. Seeing our students lead a project of this caliber that addresses such complex, real-world needs is a testament to the power of undergraduate research at 糖心传媒.鈥�

The published study is now available through the Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences via New Prairie Press at .

Harveson, a psychology major at 糖心传媒, began a study in the fall of 2024 examining gender disparities in the workplace. She shared her findings at the No Limits Conference for Women and Gender Studies in the spring of 2025. She also presented her poster, 鈥淭he impact of cosmetic makeup towards hiring decision bias,鈥� during Academic Showcase Day at 糖心传媒.

鈥淚t means the world to be able to share my work,鈥� said Harveson, who is from Scottsbluff, Nebraska. 鈥淚 got to experience this opportunity and see others鈥� steps toward women鈥檚 research.鈥�

Harveson chose this study because of her interest in social psychology. After she graduates from 糖心传媒, she plans to become a psychotherapist working with children.

At first, she looked at gender disparities in the workplace, such as the pay gap and the appearance of the woman. Then, she narrowed it down to a more specific topic: women wearing makeup in the workplace.

The goal of the study was to test the impact of a woman鈥檚 physical appearance 鈥� specifically cosmetic makeup 鈥� on how others perceive them. Harveson wanted to see if wearing more makeup made women appear less professional. Participants were asked if they would hire a specific candidate based on their assumptions of the applicant.

Harveson told participants they were hiring a manager for a company. While the resume contents remained the same, the photo of the applicant showed her wearing either no makeup, light makeup or heavy makeup.

The results indicated there was no significant difference in hiring preference based on the amount of makeup worn. Harveson said the study was a vital experience because it helped her practice research methods and data analysis.

Harveson is also a member of the marching and concert bands, the women鈥檚 tennis team, and the Student Association at 糖心传媒.

By Victoria Harris, a sophomore English and communications double major from Houston, Texas

Branson came to 糖心传媒 from Lawrence, Kansas, where she excelled at school and on the volleyball court 鈥� and is involved in as many aspects of campus life as someone could possibly be.

She鈥檚 a member of multiple groups on campus, including Bronco Move; Alpha Chi, the collegiate honors society; and Psi Chi, the psychology national honors society. Branson said she works so hard in order to prepare herself for a career as a counselor in clinical mental health counseling. She plans to attend West Virginia University for her master鈥檚 degree in the fall.

She holds a 4.0 GPA and was recently named 糖心传媒 female scholar athlete of the year, where she was a three-year starter for the volleyball team.

The accolades don鈥檛 stop there. She attended 糖心传媒 on the Ringland Scholarship where she is a dual major in and psychology with a minor in strength and conditioning. During her time on campus, she earned Dean鈥檚 List four straight years, was named an NAIA scholar-athlete and received CoSIDA academic all district honors.

Branson also has a talent for academic research.

She recently completed two senior capstone projects centering around the impact of coaching feedback on women鈥檚 confidence and sports performance. She credits her advisors, Dr. Rachael Robinson-Keilig, associate professor of psychology, and Casey Krolikowksi, assistant professor of exercise science, for helping her navigate the rigours of college and for being support structures for her to lean on.

She said the unique community at 糖心传媒 also helped her learn and grow.

鈥淚 love the community. As someone who didn鈥檛 grow up in Nebraska, 糖心传媒 has a community like no other,鈥� Branson said. 鈥淣ot only do you meet many students from different backgrounds and form close friendships with, but the faculty here are supportive and welcoming and care about you and work with you to help you achieve your goals.鈥�

Branson has continually impressed the faculty with her dedication and focus, as well as her constant bright presence on campus, Krolikowksi said.

鈥淪he embodies the growth, ethics and mindset we hope to foster here at the College and we wish her the best as she ventures into the world as a 糖心传媒 graduate,鈥� she said.

By Dr. Matthew Beeler, assistant professor of exercise science

The psychology and history and philosophy major found the internship of her dreams after reading a scientific article for class.

鈥淚 was reading a journal article on appetite, satiation and reward pathways in the brain for a class with Dr. [Nicole] Muszynski when I started looking through author names on the paper and became interested in a lab doing gut-brain axis research at KU Leuven University in Belgium,鈥� she said.

She visited the Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Research website, found out about a summer internship position in Belgium, and then applied. A day later she received a response from the lab鈥檚 principal investigator inviting her to join the team.

Lanning’s main focus while in Leuven was aiding in a multi-year-long research study on 鈥淢ood Bugs,鈥� which involves studying how bacteria living in the gut affect sensitivity to stress and fear response. These are two important aspects of emotional and mental responses.

A day in the lab for Lanning entailed preparing materials for testing days, centrifuging and pipetting biological samples, guiding participants through MRI scans, helping to measure stress/fear responses during the test days and more.

Throughout the summer, she experienced a new profound sense of self, both personally and professionally.

鈥淧ersonally, this experience has taught me about how much I can handle. I have traveled to several countries by myself before, but it is different to move somewhere, start an internship and live in a brand new city and country all alone. It has also given me the confidence to continue pursuing my dreams and goals, even though I was initially nervous about taking on such a prestigious internship,鈥� she said.

Professionally, Lanning said she expanded her skills in learning how to do high-level research. Being in a cutting-edge lab environment showed her how creative she will get to be someday, within the confines of doing good research, to further scientific discovery.

She said planned to take the once-in-a-lifetime experience and translate it back into her senior capstone project at 糖心传媒 this fall.

Lanning credits multiple faculty at 糖心传媒 who prepared her before and supported her during the internship.

She mentioned that Muszynski discussed the in-depth papers on the gut-brain axis with her, and Dr. Juliana Cardoso prepared her for higher-level statistical analysis. Biology professor Dr. Rhesa Ledbetter聽prepared her for the biological side of what she would be doing over the summer and was extremely encouraging of the internship opportunity. Richard Loutzenheiser, who is on the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees, helped her with international travel specifics, such as her visa and other accommodations.

For her senior capstone project, she said she planned to take her research experience and study how different kinds of breakfasts influence people’s food cravings and physical reactions to seeing or thinking about food, which will help her learn more about the connection between the gut and the brain.

Her ultimate goal after graduation is to complete a master’s and PhD, either in the U.S. or abroad, and eventually work as a researcher and professor.

Lanning is deeply passionate about learning and furthering scientific understanding, and eagerly anticipates sharing her curiosity and enthusiasm with future college students.

By Cecilia Velarde, a senior marketing and communication studies double major from Loveland, Colorado

That鈥檚 what Eboni Nash 鈥�19 entered into her browser in March 2020. Like other students, her spring break trip home to see family was鈥xtended. A Harvard Divinity School student at the time, she was feeling 鈥渉elpless鈥lmost useless鈥� in Eads, Colorado.

Yet what the search produced changed Nash鈥檚 life鈥攁nd saved the life of a young girl.

This story originally appeared in .

Search Results: Be the Match

According to its website, Be the Match is a nonprofit organization connecting leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancer patients with peripheral blood stem cells and bone marrow transplants. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue in some bones that produces blood cells.

When Be the Match appeared in Nash鈥檚 search results, she had much to learn.

鈥淚n fact, I thought we had to be deceased to be able to do that,鈥� she said. 鈥淎lthough it wasn鈥檛 immediately impactful, I was eased by the idea that there was a chance I could save a life.鈥�

As a woman who is Black and Native American (Muscogee Creek), she possesses a unique human leukocyte antigens (HLA) Type among others on the donor registry.

HLA Type comprises protein markers that 鈥渢ell your body which cells belong in your body and which do not鈥� according to the Be the Match website. The closer the HLA Type match, the more likely the transplant is to be successful.

Timing Isn鈥檛 on Her Side

In 2022, Nash鈥檚 phone blew up with messages from unfamiliar numbers.

She and a teenage girl battling cancer were a perfect match. But was the timing?

鈥淚 just started my professional career, was in between permanent housing, and had no idea what I was meant to do with my life, personally or professionally,鈥� Nash said. 鈥淗ow could I ask my new employer for a day off when it was among my first weeks on the job?鈥�

She asked.

Her boss at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado, said yes. Twenty days later, Nash and her mom flew to Washington, D.C., for a bone marrow extraction. Be the Match covered their expenses.

Nash鈥檚 workplace, where she鈥檚 the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program recruitment manager, didn鈥檛 question whether she had the leave.

After her experience, Nash began advocating on behalf of bone marrow donors. While still in her hospital bed, she made a Tik Tok about her experience. It went viral.

鈥淭he power of story-sharing is real. Individuals are moved by others鈥� experiences. It raises awareness, it educates the majority and provides guidance for others thinking about following your steps,鈥� she said.

Soon, her advocacy expanded to in-person lobbying, including a trip back to Washington, to advocate for donor leave. That鈥檚 an allowance for employees to take up to 40 hours of nonconsecutive, unpaid leave to become a donor. Nash describes the policy as similar to jury duty.

鈥淢any individuals have trouble requesting the day off to ensure they can travel to the donation site and have appropriate time to recover, all while ensuring they are able to still pay their bills and have a job to come back to,鈥� she said.

Nash, who is once again on Be the Match鈥檚 donor registry, has been named co-advisor for the Midwest Region of the Be The Match Advocacy Ambassador Team.

Meeting Her Match

As HC Today went to press, Nash was expected to meet the recipient of her donation. They had already exchanged texts and spoken. Nash said she thinks about her often.

鈥淪he has dreams, ambitions, desires and even fears. Her goals were at one point, day by day; but because of our match, she can now think farther into college, parenthood and beyond. Giving a small portion of my body, that replaced itself in a mere 30 days, was worth it to give a life for this precious little girl,鈥� Nash said. 鈥淲hen we have the opportunity to love our neighbor, in whatever way that may come to you, it is up to us to answer the call.鈥�

Donating Bone Marrow

In a Be the Match video, Dr. Rayne Rouce with Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Childrens鈥� Hospital describes the bone marrow extraction process.

1. The donor鈥檚 health is assessed for this outpatient procedure.
2. The donor is administered anesthesia.
3. The doctor makes a quarter-inch incision in the back of the donor鈥檚 hip bone.
4. Using a small, hollow needle, the doctor extracts the liquid bone marrow.

The process takes 30-60 minutes. Recovery pains are described as minor. Donors leave the hospital that day.

To register to be a donor with Be the Match, go to .

By Alicia O’Donnell 鈥�96

When Shernan Holtan 鈥�98 first lifted a barbell in 2013, she had started a new job at the University of Minnesota Medical School and wanted to regain her fitness after the grueling years of a medical residency and fellowship. 鈥淚 found that learning new strength-based skills was incredibly therapeutic,鈥� she said.

This story originally appeared in .

Under the guidance of a coach, Holtan pursued powerlifting鈥攁 discipline consisting of the deadlift, squat and bench press鈥攎ultiple times a week. She completed 10- to 12-week-long programs that incorporated complementary movements according to a concept known as progressive overload. After years of working on these strength programs, she became quite strong, setting a national powerlifting record in the squat in 2019.

The internal rewards were greater than the external rewards, however. As she gained strength, Holtan noticed changes in how she handled stress and tension.

鈥淢y sleep and resilience improved. I developed a greater sense of self-efficacy. Barriers to accomplish almost anything were lower,鈥� she explained.

In addition, the technical aspect of weightlifting appealed to her.

鈥淭he lifts require intense focus鈥攕o much so that you have to put the worries of the day aside. There is always more to learn about the movements and about yourself. The process of refining and improving never ends, inside or outside of the gym,鈥� she said.

This revelation is one Holtan knows well as an academic physician. Medical research evolves over time, and the quest for better outcomes persists, especially in high-stakes specialities like hematology. Holtan zeroed in on blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) while at the University of Nebraska Medical School, where she graduated in 2003.

鈥淚 was fascinated to learn that some cancers could be cured using a donor immune system,鈥� she recalled.

However, BMT patients are at serious risk for a complication called graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD, where the donor鈥檚 immune system attacks the patient鈥檚 cells and tissues. 鈥淕VHD can be devastating and fatal, and I committed my career to finding better treatments and prevention so more people could safely undergo BMT,鈥� she said.

She recently co-led a phase III study testing a new drug regimen that dramatically reduces the incidence of severe GVHD. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June and are already changing practice around the world.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been amazing to watch this new era of transplantation dawn before my eyes,鈥� Holtan said. 鈥淲e can now shift focus to other toxicities and develop better ways to support patients.鈥�

Building a community

With weightlifting positively affecting her life, Holtan championed its benefits in the clinic. While new drug regimens undoubtedly advance medical care, she recognized that more could be done to boost patients鈥� resilience.

鈥淚 wanted my BMT patients to have the same opportunity to improve their muscle mass and overall health within a supportive community,鈥� she said.

Holtan and a group of colleagues launched an annual 鈥淢arrow on the Move鈥� celebration that supports patients undergoing blood or marrow transplantation or other cell therapies. The summertime event, which now has an online participation option, brings patients, their families and the medical community together for a run and other exercises.

Holtan and her colleagues also promote a 鈥淢arrow-Thon鈥� challenge for patients admitted to the hospital for a transplant or cell therapy. Those who complete a full or half marathon during their hospital stay win prizes and see their names added to a wall of fame.

These fitness programs have motivated patients, families and providers.

鈥淲e continue to think of new ways to encourage people to maintain or build their muscle mass during and after cancer treatment, including developing safe strength-training programs for people with low platelet counts and using virtual reality games that may help patients exercise when hospitalized or when they cannot safely go to a gym,鈥� she said.

In addition to her position as associate professor of medicine, Holtan chairs the Allogeneic Transplant and Regenerative Medicine Disease Oriented Committee at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She is the principal investigator of the university鈥檚 Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network, which has conducted numerous prevention, therapy and prognosis studies.

A native of Gering, Nebraska, Holtan and her husband Kirk are the proud parents of two teenagers who now regularly train with their mom鈥檚 coach. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to watch them experience mental and physical growth through strength training,鈥� Holtan said.

By Holly (Hoe) Auten 鈥�98

鈥淲hat鈥檚 interesting about music therapy is that it activates your entire brain in ways you can鈥檛 imagine. For example, there have been studies conducted where music therapy sessions have helped stroke victims regain their motion in parts of their body through the repetitive playing of an instrument such as a drum or by dancing to a melody,鈥� Kingsley said.

Kingsley, who majored in music and psychology at Hastings, said she believed this career choice was her true path.

Kingsley said her passion for music therapy and helping older people began before she attended 糖心传媒. As a young girl, her dream was to help families feel confident that their older loved ones were cared for while creating a musical environment that brings joy to patients. Other benefits of music therapy include reducing stress, communicating with caregivers, and allowing patients to express themselves.

Music therapy is a new type of treatment 鈥� primarily clinical and evidence-based 鈥� used to help patients achieve goal-specific tasks. In Kingsley’s case, she implements voluntary live music sessions with patients in hospice care units in the Kansas City area. This allows patients to engage with others and activate their brains.

For Kingsley, a session in care units can differ by days. While some patients prefer her to play their chosen songs live with her voice and guitar, others want to participate in music circles where they can play musical instruments like hand drums, maracas or hand shakers.

During music therapy sessions, patients can play the instruments however they please, with no directions or restrictions. Kingsley provides an open and safe space for everyone to feel comfortable.

The 糖心传媒 music faculty, including professor of music Dr. Louie Eckhardt, pushed Kingsley’s love for music. She also credits her voice instructor and choir instructor for allowing her to get creative when it comes to voice and singing with and for patients. Kingsley said music is her passion, and she鈥檚 thrilled to get to utilize all elements of music she learned at 糖心传媒 every day while working with patients.

After graduating from 糖心传媒 she continued her education and licensing at Kansas University. After graduating she landed a job as a music therapist at Ascend Hospice.

Kingsley is working to open internship opportunities for students pursuing music therapy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) to encourage more students to enter the field. She also oversees the Legacy Project at her hospice care center where they provide heartbeat recordings of patients to a custom song for families and memory bears.

鈥淣ever sell yourself short, instead follow those desires or aspirations you may have for your future,鈥� Kingsley said. 鈥淣ever be afraid to test the waters with different classes outside your major and speak with faculty, because they are there to support you.鈥�

By Cecilia Velarde, a junior marketing and communication studies double major from Loveland, Colorado

While at 糖心传媒, RuAnn (Ulmer) Root 鈥�86 was skeptical about her classes in writing, public speaking and nonprofit accounting 鈥� requirements for her Human Service Administration degree.

鈥淭o be honest, I thought I would never use the information from those classes. However, have they ever come in handy,鈥� said executive director of (CASA) in Hastings, a position she鈥檚 held for 22 years.

She鈥檚 used those skills to expand the agency鈥檚 programs into six counties, offer transitional living for youth aged 16-22 and mentor young professionals.

Root is one of many alumni for whom a 糖心传媒 education, rooted in the liberal arts and practical experiences, provides a foundation for serving others. They carry flames lit at 糖心传媒 into their current communities as nonprofit executives, employees, and board members.

A Life in Community

When Tim Moore 鈥�07 was earning his religion and media degree at 糖心传媒, then-director of the Vocation and Values program and religion professor Dr. Trace Haythorn frequently assigned writings by Father Henri Nowen. Through Nowen, Moore learned about L鈥橝rche, an organization of intentional communities throughout the world pairing people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Upon graduation, Moore took a position with L鈥橝rche New Zealand and remains with the organization today as executive director of L鈥橝rche Atlanta.

鈥淭he relationships have kept me in L’Arche,鈥� said Moore. 鈥淲hether it was Victor in New Zealand, Mo in Washington DC or John in Atlanta, I have been given the gift of friendship with incredible people who have shaped me and made my life all the richer.鈥�

On a daily basis, the core members 鈥� those with intellectual disabilities 鈥� go about work with the support they need from their assistants.

鈥淧icture a big family doing daily life where each person has a different job, school, or set of activities/hobbies to engage,鈥� said Moore. 鈥淪ome of the members just happen to need a bit of extra support in very specific ways.鈥�

Driven by 鈥楲ived Experience鈥�

Eboni Nash鈥檚 work in the nonprofit sector is motivated by her father鈥檚 incarceration more than anything she learned in the classroom.

鈥淗is absence had a huge impact on my childhood development,鈥� said Nash, a 2019 graduate. 鈥淚 believe society could have created a safer place for me to live and learn than what was given to me initially.鈥�

Equipped with the skills she honed as director of 糖心传媒鈥檚 Food4Thought nonprofit and her master鈥檚 in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, Nash has returned to her native Colorado to build a better world.

Now, as vice president of development and communications for , Nash reports to Robert Andrews 鈥�07, the organization鈥檚 president and CEO, who is also an HC Trustee. Additionally,聽 she serves as Diversity Equity and Inclusion Program recruitment manager for Metropolitan State University of Denver.

鈥淎t CommunityWorks, I help strategize and facilitate connection with the current workforce for a diverse population of job seekers,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t MSU Denver, I help advocate to Colorado employers on how they can create an equitable and accessible workplace for the incoming talent pipeline.鈥�

Thanks to flexible work environments and complementary missions, she is well-positioned to facilitate collaboration within the Denver community. Additionally, these positions allow her to apply her 鈥渓ived experience鈥� as the child of an incarcerated parent, a first generation college graduate, and a person who has experienced food insecurity.

鈥淢any times, the people making decisions have no context nor experience with the scenario in question,鈥� said Nash.聽 鈥淚f we were able to advocate for lived experience and how it might impact historically excluded voices, then we would be able to create a holistic and equitable system for all.鈥�

Changing Lives in West Africa

Grant Nagaki 鈥�13 might just be 2022鈥檚 real-life version of Superman. During the day, he鈥檚 seeking to improve mental healthcare delivery systems. In his free time, he鈥檚 managing the nonprofit he co-founded in Ghana.

Traveling to Central America during 糖心传媒鈥檚 former J-Term awoke Nagaki to a larger world in which he could help others.

鈥淢y experience at Hastings helped me experiment with volunteer work and with organizing such work. I was able to host a few fundraisers and start pitching ideas,鈥� said Nagaki.

A port stop in Ghana as part of Semester at Sea inspired Nagaki and a fellow student to found the Senase Project and put his fundraising and organizational skills to use for a greater good. This poverty elimination organization has morphed into , a nonprofit with the mission to 鈥渆mpower children through the expansion of equitable access to quality education.鈥�

Equipping students in villages with tuition, uniforms, books, supplies, and food hasn鈥檛 been easy as of late.

鈥淲e were unable to travel to Ghana during the pandemic, but the work still remained active through our field officer in Ghana,鈥� he said.

Nagaki, who currently lives in New York City, specializes in all things financial, legal and operational for Aya. He credits 糖心传媒 experiences with preparing this vocation.

鈥淚 believe the close-knit community at Hastings gave me the comfort and opportunity to [lead a nonprofit organization],鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is intimidating work, but when you have a community who supports you, it allows you to be so much more confident and not fear failure.

Lives (Mostly) Balanced

Burnout in the nonprofit sector can run high. To maintain their drive to serve, Moore and Root prioritize the demands on their time.

鈥淭wo things that I’ve found that are important for me: I need to invest in friendships that are friend-first relationships,鈥� said Moore.

The second for Moore is therapy.

鈥淟eading a service provision organization through a pandemic was brutal and I’ve found that my leadership is more grounded when I’m living from a place of wellness and integration,鈥� said Moore.聽 鈥淭herapy has played an important role in helping me live from that place more often.鈥�

Root prioritizes presence based on where she is at the given moment.

鈥淲hen I leave work 鈥� I LEAVE WORK 鈥� I do not check emails, talk about what I did at work with friends or family to nurture what I value and refill 鈥榤y bucket,鈥欌�� Root said. 鈥淚 have a passion for the work I do, and consider it a privilege every day to work in this field. I hopefully make just a small difference in the lives of families.鈥�

Before coming to Hastings, Birk, who is from Bennington, Nebraska, knew she wanted to do something in psychology, but she didn鈥檛 want to be a psychologist.

鈥淭he show 鈥楥riminal Minds鈥� really interested me. Then I realized I could use psychology outside of just the typical avenues,鈥� Birk said. That鈥檚 what led her to criminology.

Now she majors in both psychology and criminology, but she wanted to find ways to combine the two, and realized a career in crime investigation did just that.

鈥淵ou can use people’s thought processes and minds to understand why certain crimes are committed or who committed those crimes. I think that’s really interesting,鈥� Birk said.

In January Birk started looking into internships at local police departments to prepare for her summer criminology capstone class. Then in March, she got serious about applying with the help of Career Services and her internship advisor, Dr. Laura Logan, associate professor of sociology. Birk looked at the Hastings and Omaha police departments, but settled on an internship with the Douglas County Sheriff鈥檚 Office for the month of June. Douglas County, which is home to Omaha and some of its suburbs, is Nebraska鈥檚 most populated county.

During her internship at the sheriff鈥檚 office, Birk did a little bit of everything. She worked the front desk and helped the community members who came in, did a couple ride-alongs and helped set up courses for officer driving training. But her favorite part was getting to work with some of the crime investigators.

鈥淚 was able to see what their job was and I was able to read through a couple of their cases,鈥� Birk said. 鈥淭hey were all really nice and helpful with telling me what goes on in the department. I feel like I got an insider鈥檚 experience.鈥�

Getting to work with the crime investigators gave Birk insight into what they do 鈥� and how to become one. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e just shown me more of how to get into this career, which are things that I didn鈥檛 know beforehand,鈥� Birk said. Now she knows she鈥檒l have to be a deputy and may be on the road for a couple of years before she can become an investigator.

She also saw there are choices for a career that combine her passions, and her internship has helped her narrow those choices down.

鈥淚 used to think, this is your degree, this is the job you have to get. Now I have a better understanding of all the options that are available to me,鈥� Birk said.

By Ally Banks, a junior English major from Shawnee, Kansas

Polacek, who minored in art and is from Omaha, Nebraska, said good advising helped her select the right courses, then the Career Services office helped her find an internship where she could observe art therapy sessions.

鈥淓veryone here wants you to succeed, and they are going to do as much as they can to support you to help you get where you want to go,” she said. “Hastings gets you to your next step.”