College of Arts and Sciences
Isabelle Vargas
Isabelle Vargas will graduate with dual bachelor’s degrees with four majors in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, and medical humanities. Vargas has conducted interdisciplinary research spanning neuroscience, psychology, and sociology, including studies examining the effects of childhood trauma in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD), the biological embedding of early life adversity in canines, and experiences of loneliness among people with disabilities.
She currently serves as vice-president of UNO’s Nu Rho Psi, the national neuroscience honor society. She has served as president of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) for the Threshold Continuum of Care, a voting member of the Threshold Board, and a member of the Nebraska Statewide YAB, where she advocated for youth experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
After graduation, she will complete a post-baccalaureate research position at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) before pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience with a focus on serious mental illness in human research.
College of Business Administration
Jack Zalewski
Jack Zalewski is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business finance and a minor in accounting, earning Summa Cum Laude distinction. Zalewski has completed internships at Interpublic Group, State Farm, and the I See It Ventures Family Office, where he managed proprietary capital through complex derivative and equity investments.
During his senior year, he began working at ExitBig, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm, where he supports deal structuring, negotiations, and all facets of financial analysis.
Zalewski plans to continue his role at ExitBig, helping local business owners and buyers navigate complex transactions.
College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
Madison Hagan
Madison Hagan is earning a bachelor's degree in communication studies with a minor in Black studies, and plans to pursue graduate study in communications. Her work is rooted in advocacy and lived experience, using communication as a tool to elevate youth voice, challenge systems, and drive meaningful, lasting change.
Hagan was the 121st Mayor of Boys Town, and has spoken at international conferences, testified in support of policy reform, and partnered with communities and donors to uplift marginalized voices.
Through storytelling, public speaking, organizing, and training professionals, she works to bridge gaps between systems and the young people they serve. Across all of her work, she is committed to ensuring that young people are heard, protected, and meaningfully included in the decisions that impact their lives.
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Emily Karmazin
Emily Karmazin is earning a bachelor’s degree in biomechanics. Karmazin competed on the UNO Women’s Golf Team and served as team captain her senior year. She also held a leadership role as secretary of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Karmazin is committed to service, volunteering both through UNO and within the community, including at her parish, St. Vincent De Paul.
Following graduation, she will attend Life West Chiropractic College to pursue her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree and obtain certification in Active Release Techniques (ART).
She plans to stay in the Omaha metro area to open her own practice and help patients improve their quality of life.
College of Information Science & Technology
Sarah Nakamura
Sarah Nakamura is earning a Bachelor of Science in bioinformatics, with a minor in computer science. Nakamura has dedicated her time to research under the mentorship of Kate Cooper, Ph.D., focusing on the application of bioinformatics techniques in next-generation sequence analysis.
She completed summer research internships with Harvard Medical School and University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Nakamura is passionate about mentoring and training the future generation especially in the STEM field. She works as an iSTEM after school program mentor for local elementary and middle school students to introduce the excitement of STEM. She also works as a curriculum supporter at the NebraskaCYBER MATRIX, a recent initiative at UNO to develop a training environment for cybersecurity professionals in this emerging field.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in translational genomics research to accelerate disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in the intersection of research and the clinic.
College of Public Affairs and Community Service
Jack Adrian
Jack Adrian is earning a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, with minors in policing and victimology and victim services. Adrian has gained hands-on investigative experience through internships with the Omaha Police Department’s Felony Assault Unit as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), where he assisted with criminal investigations at both the local and federal levels.
Adrian has expanded his global understanding of the justice system through a study abroad program in London, exploring international perspectives on criminal justice. He was also president of the UNO Criminal Justice Student Organization, where he worked to connect students with professionals in the field through networking and career development events.
He is currently progressing through the application and background process with the Omaha Police Department and hopes to join their next police academy class beginning in July 2026.
College of Public Affairs and Community Service - Division of Continuing Studies
Jennifer Potmesil
Jennifer Potmesil is earning her Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies, with a concentration in general administration and a minor in emergency management. Potmesil has been recognized for her academic excellence and is a member of both the Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL) Honor Society and the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement (SCLA).
A dedicated mother, student, professional, and community volunteer, she brings strong leadership and a deep commitment to service to every role she holds.
Her professional background includes strategic program and project management, executive support, and organizational communications. Throughout her career, Potmesil has been recognized for her integrity, initiative, and ability to lead and support complex organizational needs.
She is an avid volunteer for multiple community focused organizations. Through this work, she supports families, children, animals, and vulnerable populations throughout the Omaha community.
She is also a member of the Omaha Downtown Rotary Club, where she contributes to service initiatives that promote integrity, goodwill, and peace through fellowship among business, professional, and community leaders.
UNL College of Engineering
Maddax Frye
Maddax Frye is earning a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering, specializing in building
mechanical systems and acoustics, with a minor in mathematics. Frye completed internships with the City of Omaha Public Works Department, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and HDR, where she gained experience in construction, surveying, emerging energy technologies, and building mechanical design.
Frye has helped the Durham School and her peers by participating in the peer tutoring program and giving tours to prospective students. She has also been a member of the NE STEM 4U Program, where she helped introduce middle school students to stem activities as part of an after-school program.
She also served as the president of the UNO Society of Women Engineers, where she worked to cultivate a welcoming community for future engineers in the college.
After graduation, Frye will continue her education on the Omaha campus through enrollment in the Master of Architectural Engineering Program and work toward obtaining licensure as a professional engineer.
