A Fulfilling Journey: Toni Kirby's Reflections on UNO Political Science Master's Program

Toni Kirby, a current student in the Political Science master's program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is already making waves in the academic community with her acceptance into the prestigious Ph.D program in Political Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Looking back on her time at UNO, Toni is grateful for the close connections she formed with faculty members, the diverse courses offered, and the welcoming environment of the program. “I chose UNO for my graduate study because UNO offers a small and intimate learning experience, therefore, has the unique ability to tailor the political science program to each student's interests,” Toni said. "The Department's faculty is incredibly diverse in subfields within political science and are all easily accessible to students."

Toni's successes in the program have led her to be accepted into the highly competitive PhD program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "It was a highly rewarding experience to be able to learn in these small classes, work on individual research projects with multiple professors, and present at political science conferences during my time in the program," she said. Toni will complete her master's degree in Political Science at UNO in the Spring of 2023 before beginning her doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Fall.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Toni considers her experience as fulfilling. “The program allows students to work closely with the professors and faculty in order to gain a deeper understanding of their unique fields and expertise this creates an atmosphere where they are just as invested in your success in the program," she said. "In my experience UNO’s values go far beyond the quality of education but also in their ability to connect with the students on a personal level."

Watch Toni's interview: