Name
Kyanne Casperson
Major(s)
Sociology
Year in school
Senior
Hometown
Columbus, NE
Preferred pronouns
she/her/hers
Why did you select your major(s) and minor(s)? Were there any events or people that convinced you to declare?
4 years ago I came to UNL as a Forensic Science major because I thought I wanted to work as a lab technician. It took me two semesters to realize that this was not what I wanted and two more semesters after that to decide what I wanted to study instead. My academic success coach at the CAST Office, Robert Russell, encouraged me not to limit myself to one career path and to instead pursue something I was interested in and wanted to learn more about. I thought back to how much I enjoyed my Introduction to Sociology class with Professor Julia McQuillan, as well as how applicable Sociology is to so many other fields and careers, and eventually made up my mind. I am glad that I did!
What is your favorite course you have taken from your program(s) and why?
Although it is hard to pick due to how much I have enjoyed all of the assigned courses from my program, I would say that my favorite course was Gender in a Contemporary Society, instructed by Dr. Regina Werum. This was the first Sociology course I enrolled in after declaring my major, and it had me hooked from the very first day. I felt challenged each and every class period and always left feeling like I had just learned a semester's worth of material, which was just fine by me because I love a good challenge and I love opportunities to learn. My abilities to read and analyze social research and to apply sociological theories to a variety of situations and concepts were heavily improved on throughout the duration of this course and it served me well in the rest of my semesters.
Who have been some of your strongest mentors or role models here?
The aforementioned Robert Russell has been a great source of inspiration and encouragement during my time here. As a first-generation student who has had to navigate many non-traditional challenges throughout my time here, the CAST Office is the foundation of my support system at UNL. Rob has been my academic success coach for the last few years. In that time, he has listened to me without judgement, offered advice when I have needed it, challenged me to become a better version of myself, and has inspired me to give myself more grace time and time again. As I look back on our years of coaching sessions I am affirmed in how much I have grown as a person, as a student, and as a professional, and I know how much I have Rob to thank for that. The positive influence he has had on my life is immeasurable.
Experiential Learning
Do you have research experience (UCARE or other)? If so, please describe your project.
In 2024 I presented research at the Nebraska Undergraduate Sociological Symposium. My research was a literature review titled "Assisted Suicide & The Mentally Ill: A Review of Legal Frameworks and Consequences" and delved into the availability of physician-assisted suicide for patients with non-terminal, sometimes psychological rather than physiological illnesses, as well as the concerns and negative unintended consequences that result from its availability. I was informed of this opportunity by Dr. Regina Werum, who supported me every step of the way.
Have you had an internship or job? If so, please describe it and explain how your major(s) helped you with it.
During the spring term, I was hired as a Unicameral Page for the Nebraska Legislature. This position allowed me to see the inner workings of this branch of our government firsthand and to apply a Sociological lens to different pieces of legislation in order to better understand the impacts that public policy has on social issues, institutions, and individuals.
Did you/are you going to study abroad? If so, describe the experience.
I studied abroad at Anglo-American University in Prague, Czech Republic last summer, where I was enrolled in a course focused on leadership theories and concepts in the context of some of the darkest parts of Czech history. This summer, I returned to AAU as a Student Engagement Intern in the study abroad office and a Teaching Assistant for the leadership course. These experiences and the deep love for Prague I have acquired through them have influenced me to look into options for living, studying, or working there for an even longer period of time and to pursue international affairs as a future career path.
What are you involved in on campus or in the community?
I am in the honors program, I sit on a Youth Homelessness Action Board, and I volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Lancaster County. In my time at UNL, I was a peer mentor for the CAST Office and the honors program, a peer educator for CARE and CAPS, and a student worker for Global Experiences as well as the front desk of the CAST Office.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I will continue to work full-time at the job I was able to secure right before my last semester at UNL. I am employed by the Nebraska Legislature again, as an Administrative Assistant in the office of Senator Storm of District 23. I hope to also live or work abroad again and continue my education at a law school or international affairs school.
