When Gio Gomez arrived at UNO, he wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to do with his future.
He knew he enjoyed connecting with people. He liked business, had sales jobs, and initially thought real estate sounded like an interesting career path. But beneath that uncertainty was a bigger question that would eventually shape his life: how could he build a career that truly helped people?
Gomez graduated from UNO in May with a dual degree in business administration and political science. Through his BSBA, he completed five concentrations, including Legal Studies, Real Estate & Land Use Economics, and Triple Finance Concentrations. He also graduated as a CBA Scholar in the College of Business Administration Scholars Academy and as an honors student. Along the way, he became the student commencement speaker, re-founded and served as president of the UNO Pre-Law Society, served as Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association, led the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity chapter as president, worked as a Career Development Peer Coach in the CBA Career Center, completed an internship in risk management with Union Pacific, and helped lead his capstone team to a third-place finish.
But the story behind those accomplishments begins with family.
A lesson in resilience
During Gomez’s first semester of college, his great-grandmother became seriously ill.
“She was a huge influence in my life,” he said. “She was one of the most resilient people I’ve ever known.”
His great-grandmother immigrated from Italy to Argentina before eventually coming to the United States with her husband and children. Shortly after arriving, her husband died in a fire, leaving her to raise four children while navigating a new country without speaking English.
Despite overwhelming obstacles, she persevered.
She babysat, walked dogs, sewed clothes, and sold food out of her basement to support her family. Eventually, she achieved her dream of opening Malara’s Italian Restaurant in downtown Omaha, which she owned for more than 30 years.
Gomez grew up closely connected to the restaurant and to his great-grandmother.
“I literally lived above the restaurant for most of my life,” he said. “I got to hear all of her stories and really see everything she accomplished.”
As he adjusted to college life and struggled with uncertainty about his future, Gomez found himself spending more time with her.
“I was feeling lost,” he said. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I had falling outs with friends, family struggles, and all these transitions happening at once. Then I’d sit with her and hear everything she overcame, and I’d think, ‘My problems are nothing compared to what you’ve been through.’”
While helping clean her home one day, Gomez discovered a bracelet engraved with the words “Anything is possible.”
“That really stuck with me,” he said.
His great-grandmother passed away in March 2023, but before she died, she gave him one final piece of advice.
“She told me to ‘be somebody,’” Gomez said.
That message became the foundation for everything that followed.
Finding purpose through adversity
Following his great-grandmother’s death, Gomez’s family became involved in lengthy legal disputes involving her estate.
The experience introduced him to the emotional and financial realities many families face while navigating the legal system.
“My parents didn’t understand the legal process, and attorneys are expensive,” he said. “So, I started researching everything myself and trying to help where I could.”
What began as an effort to support his family evolved into a passion for law.
“I realized there are so many people who feel lost when they’re dealing with legal issues,” he said. “I found fulfillment in helping people understand what was happening and advocating for them.”
That summer became a turning point.
Gomez added political science as a second degree, committed himself to pursuing law school, and began approaching his academics and leadership opportunities with a new level of purpose.
“I truly believe anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” he said. “After my great-grandmother passed, I stopped putting limits on myself.”
His academic performance reflected that mindset. After a strong first semester, Gomez consistently earned near-perfect grades while becoming deeply involved across campus.
Building community and leadership
One of Gomez’s proudest accomplishments at UNO was re-founding the Pre-Law Society.
At the time, he felt there was limited support and community available for students interested in law school.
“I wanted to create the kind of community I wish I had,” he said.
Working alongside fellow students, Gomez rebuilt the organization from the ground up — creating bylaws, developing branding, recruiting members, and organizing events.
Under his leadership, the Pre-Law Society hosted a Legal Pathways Fair that connected students with law firms, nonprofits, and legal professionals.
“It was really rewarding to help students see all the different opportunities available in the legal field,” he said.
His commitment to leadership extended far beyond one organization.
Gomez joined Student Government during his first semester at UNO through the First Year Leadership Council before later serving as a senator and eventually becoming Chief of Staff. Within Pi Kappa Alpha, he served first as Director of Recruitment before being elected chapter president.
Despite balancing demanding leadership roles, internships, academics, and honors coursework, Gomez remained focused on growth rather than perfection.
“One thing I’ve learned is not to close yourself off to opportunities when you’re young,” he said. “People say, ‘A jack of all trades is a master of none,’ but the full quote is, ‘A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.’ That really resonated with me.”
Looking ahead
Following graduation, Gomez began a gap year before applying to law school.
Rather than rushing the process, he chose to spend the year working as a chapter consultant for Pi Kappa Alpha, a role that allows him to travel across the country, expand his professional network, and continue developing leadership experience.
“I wanted to be intentional about the law school process,” he said. “The LSAT is huge, and I want to give myself the best opportunity possible.”
His long-term goals continue to evolve.
Initially drawn toward immigration law, Gomez has also become increasingly interested in criminal law after witnessing the complexities and emotional toll of ongoing legal proceedings.
“There are people who genuinely feel cornered by the legal system,” he said. “I want to help people who need someone advocating for them.”
As a first-generation college student whose father immigrated from Mexico, Gomez recognizes the significance of what he is accomplishing.
“No one in my family has gone to law school,” he said. “This is all new territory for me.”
Still, he approaches the future with the same belief his great-grandmother inspired in him years ago.
“What’s life without adversity?” he said. “I think overcoming difficult things makes you more empathetic and more understanding. When you hit rock bottom, there’s nowhere else to go but up.”
That perspective ultimately shaped the message Gomez delivered as UNO’s student commencement speaker.
The speech, titled “Be Somebody,” reflected on resilience, growth, and the ongoing process of becoming the person you hope to be.
“I’m still figuring it out,” Gomez said. “But in the meantime, I’m going to help people, stay involved, and keep becoming someone I’m proud of.”
