Aislyn Tyler’s heart pounded as she stepped onto the campus of Metropolitan Community College (MCC) for the first time in 2019.
For Tyler, that pounding heart wasn’t just first-day nerves, it was the weight of anxiety she had carried through much of her adolescence. At 18, she didn’t feel ready for the scale of a large university. Instead, MCC’s Elkhorn campus offered familiarity and comfort, with smaller classes that felt far less intimidating than crowded lecture halls.
Driven by a passion for helping others and supported by the Johnny Rodgers Scholarship, Tyler enrolled in MCC’s nursing program, but quickly found that nursing wasn’t the career that she wanted to pursue. Unsure of what direction to take, she turned to her MCC peer success navigator, Raquel Henderson, a mentor who would soon change everything.
“The way she talked about social work was so cool. It was about advocating for people, meeting them where they’re at, and embracing differences. I remember thinking, this is my dream job,” said Tyler. “I asked her, ‘How did you know this?’ and she said, ‘I just felt like it was exactly what you were describing.’ That’s when I committed to the Human Services program at Metro.”
Henderson, a graduate of UNO’s College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS), helped Tyler map out a two-year plan at MCC that set her up for success and kept the door open to pursue a bachelor’s in social work afterward.
Then, COVID-19 threw a wrench into Tyler’s plans. On top of finishing her classes, she was working nearly 60 hours a week at Olive Garden just to get by.
Even with the stress of transferring during a pandemic, Tyler remembers the process as smooth and supportive. From advisors to faculty, she always felt like someone was there to answer her questions and help her navigate the next step.
“They do a great job of making sure you’re meeting all the requirements. So, they’re very straightforward with what classes you need to take and when. And I experienced that both at Metro and UNO. It was seamless,” said Tyler.
That support system followed her to UNO. Henderson continued to check in on her, while UNO’s Patty Fugit, her advisor, and Ellen Rice, assistant director of the School of Social Work, quickly became essential guides. Each played a role in making sure Tyler felt prepared, welcomed, and on track.
“I was a commuter student, which I was very anxious about. I was like, I don’t really know how to find my place, but I think the first week I started at UNO, they had Durango Days and all kinds of stuff going on,” said Tyler. “I joined the social work student committee group, so we met every week. There were endless opportunities to get connected.”
The campus culture gave her a sense of excitement and belonging she hadn’t experienced before.
Most importantly, Tyler found a home within the Grace Abbott School of Social Work. Intentional about fostering community after COVID-19 isolation, the program created a student-centered environment. For Tyler, that atmosphere of connection and support became the foundation for her growth.
“Honestly, I think my biggest highlights are in the small moments, like seeing your director in the hallway and they’re genuinely asking how you’re doing, or in the morning seeing your classmates. I find joy in the little things.”
She describes her transfer experience as transformative, both personally and academically. She learned the importance of asking for help and discovered that support was always available from instructors, advisors, and peers.
“When someone asks you how you’re doing, it’s okay to be honest with them,” Tyler said, reflecting on how openness and vulnerability became strengths in her journey.
Through that growth, she embraced a motto that now defines her approach to challenges: do it scared.
Living with social anxiety, Tyler often felt it would be easier to hide or take the safer path, but mentors like Henderson encouraged her to push through discomfort and step into opportunities anyway.
“Reflecting on myself since transferring from Metro, they’re two different people,” she said. “The confidence and the strength that I’ve received since starting at UNO is pretty special.”
Part of that confidence also came from overcoming stigma. Tyler remembers the comments she received about starting at a community college, assumptions that she couldn’t afford a university or didn’t have the grades to get in.
In May 2024, Tyler graduated with her Bachelor of Science in social work and immediately entered UNO’s Master of Social Work program. She plans to finish in May 2026 and pursue licensure as a Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP). Her long-term goal is to work as a trauma-informed therapist supporting people with PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health challenges.
“Watching Aislyn’s confidence grow has been one of the best parts of my job. She’s kind, and honest; a true reflection of the Maverick spirit,” said Susan Reay, Ph.D. “Aislyn is going to be a wonderful social worker and a real contribution to the Nebraska workforce. I can’t wait to see what she will do next.”
Tyler’s vision for her career is shaped by the belief that therapy should be seen as an accommodation, not a fix.
“I think a lot of people think that they’re broken,” she explained. “My one goal throughout life is to help people recognize when they need accommodations, not fixes, because there’s nothing to fix. We’re not broken.”
Looking back, she credits her transfer journey with giving her not only clarity of purpose but also the courage to step fully into it, always choosing to do it scared.
