From Loss to Light: Kelsey Golden's Story
After losing her son, Golden aims to help others experiencing grief.
- published: 2026/05/05
- contact: Annie Albin - College of Arts and Sciences
Kelsey Golden is using her grief journey to be a light for others.
In 2025, Golden’s son, Michael, passed away. But through the pain, she found a new purpose.
She knew within her that she wasn’t alone in her experience, and that she wanted to be there for others going through similar situations.
“After he passed away, I decided to pivot and felt really pulled to mental health and people who are going through the grief process,” Golden said. “And decided that I would be looking into graduate schools that would center around that.”
Fueled by a fresh fire within her to help others who have lost loved ones, Golden added a psychology major during her last few semesters at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
This May, she will walk across the commencement stage and receive her Bachelor of Science in medical humanities and psychology. Following the ceremonies, she’ll return home to celebrate with her four children. Then, when the confetti has cleared and celebrations have ceased, she’ll start her next chapter: grad school at UNO’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work.
The last five years weren’t easy for Golden. But against the odds, she made it through. Not just for herself — but for her children.
“I love that I've been able to show them that even through really hard stuff, I have been able to honor the commitments I've made to my professors, and my classes, and school — but also to myself and to them, to make changes for the best of our lives,” Golden said.