The Institute for Ethnic Studies alumni do exceptional things in the world. They contribute to their workplaces, communities, and families, and they are civically and politically engaged all over the United States. Below are the stories of some of our Ethnic Studies graduates who've remained connected with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Want to share your success story with today’s students? Submit today!
After graduating in 2011 with a double major in Ethnic Studies and History and a minor in Chicano Studies, Pablo A. Rangel became a master's student in the UNL Department of History. He is currently working on his M.A. thesis, which explores the history and images of Mexican vaqueros in Gilded Age and Progressive Era United States.
"For me, a double major in History and Ethnic Studies allowed me to approach each discipline through the lens of the other. This perspective made my scholarship and education unique among a talented group of university graduates. Also, because the Institute for Ethnic Studies is multidisciplinary, being an Ethnic Studies major and Chicano Studies minor provided me access to a consummate group of students, staff, and faculty throughout the University. This wide network has been and will continue to be beneficial to me as a professional."
Jessica Sanchez, who double-minored in Ethnic Studies and Chicano Studies and graduated in 2012, is now the event coordinator for OASIS (the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services) and the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.
"I chose to minor in Chicano Studies because of my own ethnicity (Mexican American). Pursuing a minor in Chicano Studies provided me the opportunity to learn more about my own culture while also being able to share my own cultural experiences with my peers. Additionally, I minored in Ethnic Studies in order to expand my horizons and learn about other cultures.
I can confidently say that both minors are used in my position as the Event Coordinator for the JGMC because of the minority student population that utilizes our services. Because of my minors and the classes I have taken, I bring more ideas to the table when it comes to celebrating different cultures' heritage months and, most importantly, being able to educate other students about different ethnicities while being Latina. I feel more empowered when they see a Latina hosting a successful event for Native American Heritage Month because it shows that I do truly care."
Kelli King, class of 2003, who minored in African American Studies and Ethnic Studies, is a William H. Thompson Scholars Program Coordinator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned her master's from Nebraska Wesleyan and is completing her doctorate at Columbia University.
Brittany Hunt, class of 2012, is a graduate assistant for the Promising Scholars program in OASIS. She is pursuing a master's degree in the College of Education and Human Sciences here. She double-minored in Ethnic Studies and African American Studies.