Students earning the demonstrate a commitment to integrating academic learning with community engagement through service learning, community-based learning, and volunteerism.
Spring 2025 Engaged Scholar Graduates
Abigail Faris
College of Arts and Sciences
"As a student, engaging with my community has been essential to developing skills, expanding my network, and building confidence in my abilities. These experiences, along with this program, have strengthened my sense of purpose as I move from campus life to the next chapter of my journey.”
Hafsa Tasneem
College of Arts and Sciences | Honors Student
"My experiences through the CES program reshaped how I view community work, leadership, and my future in healthcare. Volunteering, service-learning, and community-based experiences taught me the importance of consistency, humility, and empathy. This journey also deepened my passion for dentistry, reinforcing that trust and advocacy should always be at the heart of patient care. As I move forward, I’m committed to carrying these lessons with me to serve communities with greater cultural sensitivity and to advocate for more equitable access to care."
Huja Sange
College of Business Administration
“These experiences have enriched my own personal and professional development through strengthening my management, communication, and collaborative skills. I am grateful for the privilege of contributing to the growth and well-being of my community by fostering cultural pride, supporting local businesses, and empowering young professionals in the Omaha Community.”
Keith Allen
College of Arts and Sciences | Honors Student
“Receiving the engaged scholar recognition at UNO has meant living in the present with intention. This journey has taught me to think beyond myself and to see my education as a platform to contribute not only to my success but for my community as well. As an engaged student, it has helped me grow into someone I am proud of. I am not only someone who wants to succeed in the world, but someone who also wants to improve it, one small act at a time.”
Liz Cole
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
“The Community of Engaged Scholars helped me grow as a person, as an academic, and as a professional. I'm honored to be a part of this program. I feel more connected than ever to the larger Omaha community, and it is all due to CES. This program introduced me to projects, people, and places I would have never had the opportunity to do, meet, and see without the connections I've fostered in CES.”
Marina Hardy
College of Public Affairs and Community Service
“I have had a strong calling to live in harmony and give back to my community. Being a Community Engaged Scholar has truly been a gift, I am very fortunate to have had this opportunity to be engaged with my community while pursuing a challenging academic curriculum. Volunteering my time and my energy to others in need, truly makes me a completed person, my heart and mind are fulfilled in this way, My most significant experience has been volunteering many hours with student government to advocate for the student body who trusted me to make decisions on behalf of their needs.”
Melisa Ontiveros
College of Arts and Sciences | Honors Student
“I believe that my experiences have immensely impacted my personal growth and development by making me more outgoing and outspoken about things that I believe in. To be engaged, one needs to know what is going on in their community to be able to make an impact. For me, being involved and taking a stand in government issues both at a local and national level was one way that I found myself excelling at.”
Moo Law Eh Soe
College of Arts and Sciences | Honors Student
“Receiving the Community Engagement Transcript Distinction is deeply meaningful to me because it’s more than just an award—it’s a marker that I’ve made an impact. It affirms that I’ve dedicated my time and energy to learning from the Omaha communities and working alongside them—especially the refugee and migrant communities that have shaped my “why” for pursuing medicine. This distinction reflects my commitment to uplifting their stories through writing, physical presence, research, and raising awareness. I am honored to receive this recognition, and it will continue to remind me that no matter how stressful life becomes or how tempting it is to focus solely on academics, community engagement and human connection are at the heart of everything I do.”
Sudha Paudel
College of Arts and Sciences
“My experiences through the CES program has reinforced my commitment to lifelong service and advocacy, shaping my journey as a future physician. These experiences have deepened my understanding of healthcare, preparing me to address diverse needs and contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate world. I will continue to apply the lessons I’ve learned to be a more compassionate person, a better leader, and to enhance patient care, while trying to make a difference in the communities I serve.”
Tai Prauner
College of Arts and Sciences | Honors Student
“This designation gave me the chance to step into roles I never imagined for myself, advocating for students in court, translating for families in crisis, and using the arts to build connections with adults learning English. It opened my eyes to how many different ways there are to support a community and showed me that the skills I have, and the ones I am still working to develop, like my Spanish, can make a real difference. More than anything, it helped me realize that meaningful change often starts in small moments, through conversation, compassion, and showing up with the intention to serve.”
Tamia Peak
College of Arts and Sciences
“Participating in the engaged scholar program helped me grow as a learner and a leader, providing me with opportunities to interact in spaces encompassing all intersectional factors and skills to help shape my community as an advocate.”
Reem Serbi
College of Business Administration
"Being recognized as an Engaged Scholar reminds me that learning goes beyond the classroom, it's about showing up, making a difference, and growing through service. This experience has shaped who I am and the kind of leader I hope to be."
