Center for Academic Success and Transition

Center for Academic Success and Transition The Center for Academic Success and Transition helps students transition to college life through one

🎓 Congratulations to Zarin Tasnim Rishta on her graduation! 🎉Zarin, from Dhaka, Bangladesh, is graduating from the Colle...
05/08/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Zarin Tasnim Rishta on her graduation! 🎉

Zarin, from Dhaka, Bangladesh, is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Psychology and a minor in Biological Sciences.

For Zarin, graduating from Nebraska represents growth far beyond the classroom. She shares, “Graduating from Nebraska means far more to me than simply earning a degree. It represents the part of my story where I grew the most. As an international student, this experience helped me find my purpose, confidence, and a stronger sense of who I am.”

After graduation, Zarin plans to return to Bangladesh to gain clinical experience before pursuing graduate studies in neuropsychology by exploring opportunities across different countries.

To incoming first-year students, Zarin offers this advice, “Enjoy every moment, embrace each experience, and seek help when needed because you are never alone here. Step out of your comfort zone and make the most of every opportunity.”

During her time at UNL, Zarin served as a Teaching Assistant for Developmental Psychology and a Study Stop Learning Consultant at CAST. She was also involved in undergraduate research beginning her sophomore year in both Dr. Anne Schutte’s and Dr. Hillary Schwarb’s labs.

Zarin shares a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Manda Williamson and Dr. Abla Hasan, saying, “Thank you for shaping me beyond academics, for believing in me, and for leaving a permanent place in my heart and in the person I am becoming.”

Let’s celebrate Zarin’s accomplishments and wish her the best as she continues her journey in neuropsychology!

🎓 Congratulations to Nicole Tinius on her graduation! 🎉Nicole, from Lincoln, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of...
05/08/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Nicole Tinius on her graduation! 🎉

Nicole, from Lincoln, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in Biological Sciences.

As a participant in CAST POWER, Nicole made the most of her time at Nebraska through leadership, research, and campus involvement. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “Graduating from the University of Nebraska is a lasting reminder that my determination and drive created new opportunities for me, becoming living proof that first-generation students belong in every lab, classroom, and career they dream of!”

To incoming first-year students, Nicole offers this advice, “My biggest piece of advice is to truly try everything. Talk to new people, say yes to as many things as you can- but don’t forget to take care of yourself. Through these three things, you will find things both on and off campus to fill your cup. Don’t underestimate what is possible!”

During her time at UNL, Nicole served as a College of Arts & Sciences Ambassador on the Leadership Team, an NHRI Leadership Mentor, participated in Microbiology Research, wrote for the Daily Nebraskan as a news writer, and was involved in the Ballroom Dancing Club.

Let’s celebrate Nicole’s accomplishments and wish her the very best as she begins her next chapter!

🎓 Congratulations to Katelin “Kate” Teet on her graduation! 🎉Kate, from Beatrice, Nebraska, is graduating from the Colle...
05/08/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Katelin “Kate” Teet on her graduation! 🎉

Kate, from Beatrice, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of Fine and Performing Arts with a BFA in Entertainment Design and Production and a minor in Education.

As a participant in the CAST POWER program, Kate built community and pursued her passion throughout her time at Nebraska.

For Kate, graduating represents the reward of years of dedication and passion. She shares, “Years of hard work and passion to build a better future are finally paying off.”

After graduation, Kate will continue working at the Lied Center before pursuing a career in touring theatre.

To incoming first-year students, Kate offers this advice, “Don’t be afraid to take a chance and try something new. No one cares about what you are doing.”

During her time at UNL, Kate was a CAST POWER Peer Mentor and involved USITT, gaining experience and building connections in the theatre and production world.

Kate shares a heartfelt thank you to the coworkers and mentors who supported her journey, saying, “I couldn’t have done it without any of your support.”

Let’s celebrate Kate’s accomplishments and wish her the best as she begins this exciting next chapter in theatre and production!

🎓 Congratulations to Bella Hardy on her graduation! 🎉Bella, from North Platte, Nebraska, is graduating from the College ...
05/07/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Bella Hardy on her graduation! 🎉

Bella, from North Platte, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of Arts & Sciences with double majors in English and Film Studies, along with a minor in Business Marketing.

For Bella, graduating from Nebraska is a reflection of perseverance and growth. She shares, “It means that all the hard work, sleepless nights, and difficult assignments have all been worth it. ‘Grit and Glory’ and all that!”

After graduation, Bella will head to Nashville, Tennessee, for a summer internship with HarperCollins. Following the internship, she plans to pursue a career in the editing and publishing industry, focusing on publicity or editorial work.

To incoming first-year students, Bella offers this advice, “Be open! Be excited when things definitely will change.”

During her time at UNL, Bella was involved in with First Husker, and worked as part of the CAST Front Desk Staff. She also served as a CAST POWER Peer Mentor and was involved with Laurus Literary Magazine and the UNL PowerPoint Presentation Club.

Bella shares a heartfelt thank you, saying, “Thank you to all my wonderful mentors, friends, family, and my cat Jesper who believed in my abilities and kept me sane during these past four years.

🎓 Congratulations to Cody Hora on his graduation! 🎉Cody, from Clear Lake, South Dakota, is graduating from the College o...
05/07/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Cody Hora on his graduation! 🎉

Cody, from Clear Lake, South Dakota, is graduating from the College of Engineering with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

For Cody, graduating from Nebraska represents much more than earning a degree. He shares, “Graduating from Nebraska means the culmination of 17 years of education. It signals the end of a major chapter in my life where I reconnected with my relationship with Jesus Christ, am engaged to the love of my life, and will have a degree in a field where I can honor God to positively impact the world through people and environmentally sensitive design and technology. Nebraska has been a blessing beyond measure, providing opportunities to grow, opportunities to learn, and opportunities to lay a foundation for my future. Go Big Red!”

After graduation, Cody plans to take a month off before getting married on June 6 and beginning his career with POET, a large ethanol company based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

To incoming first-year students, Cody offers this advice, “Get involved. Specifically, get involved with a club or group that you’re passionate about and then something related to your major. Jobs and higher education like to see a good mix of involvement outside of your courses that develop you as an actual human as well as technical experience.”

During his time at UNL, Cody served as a Study Stop Learning Consultant, a Resident Assistant in Harper and Abel for three years, a student leader in Christian Challenge, and also worked as a teaching assistant and research assistant.

Cody extends a heartfelt thank you to his church mentor, Zane Sherrer, saying, “I want to give a huge thank you to my church mentor, Zane Sherrer. From the first day I set foot in Sower Church sophomore year he leaned into me and showed me the love of Christ and what it means to be not just a “Christian” but a disciple of the Lord. He’s been a shoulder to cry on, a mentor to learn from, and a brother in Christ to grow and celebrate with. Meeting with him grew me spiritually, relationally, and even academically to put my life in the hands of Christ and experience fellowship like I hadn’t before.”

Let’s celebrate Cody’s accomplishments and wish him the best as he begins this exciting new chapter!

🎓 Congratulations to Kaitlin Myrant on her graduation! 🎉Kaitlin, from Mundelein, Illinois, is graduating from the Colleg...
05/07/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Kaitlin Myrant on her graduation! 🎉

Kaitlin, from Mundelein, Illinois, is graduating from the College of Fine & Performing Arts with a major in Theatre Arts and minors in Advertising and Public Relations and Musical Theatre.

For Kaitlin, graduating from Nebraska represents both courage and accomplishment. Kaitlin shares, “Pursuing the arts was a risky enough choice, and made more so by moving over 500 miles away from my hometown. As a first-generation student who knew nobody in Nebraska four years ago, graduation is a huge deal. It serves as a huge milestone for my family, for my artistry, and for myself, and I’m incredibly proud to have made it this far.”

After graduation, Kaitlin plans to spend the summer in Lincoln with friends while working before moving to California in July to continue a career in arts administration and creative development.

To incoming first-year students, Kaitlin offers this advice, “Understand that things WILL change. Friendships, study paths, and the way you navigate everyday life might look completely different at the end of your college experience. Trust your judgement and know that it’s for the better.”

During her time at UNL, Kaitlin was heavily involved with Theatrix, the university’s student-run theatre company. Serving on the marketing team for several years and worked as both an actor and director throughout multiple seasons of productions.

Let’s celebrate Kaitlin’s accomplishments and wish her the best as she begins this exciting next chapter in California!

🎓 Congratulations to Zach Leinen on his graduation! 🎉Zach, from Elkhorn, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of Art...
05/06/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Zach Leinen on his graduation! 🎉

Zach, from Elkhorn, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of Arts & Sciences with majors in Biochemistry and Biological Sciences.

For Zach, graduating from Nebraska represents an important step toward his future goals. He shares, “Graduating from Nebraska means taking the next step towards my goals. I want to become a physician, and my time at UNL will absolutely help me in achieving that.”

During his time at UNL, Zach served as a Study Stop Learning Consultant and was involved in UNL Unified Special Olympics and Pi Kappa Alpha.

After graduation, Zach will work full time at Celerion as a Clinical Services Technician while applying to medical school.

To incoming first-year students, Zach offers this advice: “Find the balance between social and school early, and try to stick to it as much as possible. Too much of one can be harmful, but it is possible to enjoy your time and excel in the classroom!”

He shares a heartfelt thank you to his parents, saying, “Thank you Mom and Dad for your constant support! Your advice got me through some of the hardest weeks of college and I couldn’t have done it without you both!”

Let’s celebrate Zach’s accomplishments and wish him the best as he continues his journey toward becoming a physician!

🎓 Congratulations to Cheyenne Storms on her graduation! 🎉Cheyenne, from San Antonio, Texas, is graduating from the Colle...
05/06/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Cheyenne Storms on her graduation! 🎉

Cheyenne, from San Antonio, Texas, is graduating from the College of Architecture with a major in Architecture and a minor in Sustainability.

As a first-generation student and participant in the First Husker program, Cheyenne reflects on how meaningful Nebraska has been in her journey. She shares, “Nebraska was the place that gave me a chance to pursue a higher education. And as a first gen student, that wasn’t something that was guaranteed for me after highschool. I have learned and grown here, and made so many connections that I am happy to have going into my next chapter!”

After graduation, Cheyenne plans to use her architecture degree to help track carbon emissions in building construction and support future development through sustainability certifications and standards.

During her time at UNL, Cheyenne found community and purpose through CAST, serving as a peer mentor and senior lead peer mentor. She shares, “I loved my position with CAST as both a mentee and mentor! I was a mentor for three years and it was an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed me to be there for so many other students like me!”

Cheyenne extends a heartfelt thank you to the professors in the College of Architecture and the coaches in CAST for their support throughout her college journey.

Let’s celebrate Cheyenne’s accomplishments and wish her the best as she begins creating a more sustainable future!

🎓 Congratulations to Anabella Kerans on her graduation! 🎉Anabella, from Papillion, Nebraska, is graduating from the Coll...
05/06/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Anabella Kerans on her graduation! 🎉

Anabella, from Papillion, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of Fine & Performing Arts and the College of Arts & Sciences with majors in Art History and Psychology, and a minor in English.

For Anabella, graduating from Nebraska is deeply meaningful. She shares, “To graduate from Nebraska is incredibly meaningful to me- it is not just a diploma (or two), but me paving the way for my future. To me this is a sign that I can do anything I put my mind and effort towards.”

After graduation, Anabella plans to continue her education in graduate school for art history, with the goal of working in museums and historical archives.

To incoming first-year students, she offers this perspective, “If it was easy then everyone would have a degree….but by taking the step to enrolling and been accepted you have already taken a step towards your future.”

During her time at UNL, Anabella was involved as a CAST POWER Peer Mentor and worked as CAST front desk.

She shares a unique thank you message, “Thank you to myself for always believing in me :)”

Let’s celebrate Anabella’s accomplishments and wish her the best as she continues her academic journey!

🎓 Congratulations to Austin Ronspies on his graduation! 🎉Austin, from Gretna, Nebraska, is graduating from the College o...
05/05/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Austin Ronspies on his graduation! 🎉

Austin, from Gretna, Nebraska, is graduating from the College of Engineering with a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics.

For Austin, graduating from Nebraska reflects years of effort and growth. He shares, “Graduating from Nebraska means finishing something I’ve worked hard for and proving to myself that I can push through challenges. It also represents gaining the knowledge, skills, and experiences that will prepare me for what comes next in life.”

After graduation, Austin has accepted a position with Astec Industries in Blair, Nebraska, where he will work as a design engineer.

Let’s celebrate Austin’s accomplishments and wish him the best as he begins his career in engineering!

🎓 Congratulations to Cassidy Vacha on her graduation! 🎉Cassidy, from Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, graduated from the College ...
12/23/2025

🎓 Congratulations to Cassidy Vacha on her graduation! 🎉

Cassidy, from Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, graduated from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources with majors in Horticulture and Fisheries and Wildlife, and a minor in Plant Biology.

For Cassidy, graduation marks both an ending and a beginning. She shares, “Graduation to me marks the end of my time at UNL but marks the beginning of a new journey. This is a time to celebrate and reflect on all of the amazing memories and lessons UNL has taught me! I appreciate my professors and CAST for helping get through this academic journey.”

After graduation, Cassidy plans to move to Florida and pursue a career in fisheries sciences.

To incoming first-year students, Cassidy offers this advice: “Don’t be scared or nervous to go and try new things. College is a special place ment to push you out of your comfort zone. Go to all the events and try new things!!”

During her time at UNL, Cassidy was involved as a CAST POWER Peer Mentor and a member of the Horticulture Club, building community and gaining hands-on experience.

She extends a heartfelt thank you, saying, “Thank you to CAST for not only giving me the tools to get through college but also giving me some of my best college memories. Thank you to Sara Wen for being an amazing advisor. You set me up for success countless times and will always appreciate you!”

Let’s celebrate Cassidy’s accomplishments and wish her the best as she begins this exciting new chapter in Florida!

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