Name
Jada Wraalstad
Which degrees did you earn from CAS?
Undergraduate
Major(s) or area(s) of study
Major in Women’s & Gender Studies with minors in Ethnic Studies and LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies
Graduation year
2025
Who is your employer, and where are they located?
Lighthouse After School Program
2601 N St Lincoln NE 68510
What is your job title and what kind of work does it involve?
I am the Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator at Lighthouse, an after school program for middle and high school aged youth in Lincoln. I manage Lighthouse’s volunteer base, leading individuals and groups in the Lincoln community to make an impact on Lighthouse and the youth we serve.
What sparked your interest in your major(s) or area(s) of study?
I found the Women’s and Gender Studies program after exploring major options my first semester, and I fell in love with looking at the world and issues through different perspectives. It was through the WGS program that I found Ethnic Studies and LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies, which gave me opportunities to learn about so many new ideas and meet wonderful instructors and classmates.
What do you see as the value of your major(s) or CAS degree?
My background in Women’s and Gender Studies has helped me in my activism and in my new role at Lighthouse. I want volunteers at Lighthouse to have a meaningful experience volunteering because they are helping to shape a future generation of young people who can do good in our community. I see what needs youth in the community have, and I advocate and find resources that I worked with during college to continue supporting my community using my background.
Were there any other people, activities, or events from your time at UNL that helped you get to where you are now?
During my time at UNL, I found support in my Women’s and Gender Studies courses, especially in Dr. Rose Holz and Dr. Jiling Duan. They both have shown me new perspectives and helped me to develop my understanding and power.
I am also proud of Generation Action, an RSO at UNL that I helped to start in 2024 with a couple of my classmates. Generation Action is a feminist activism organization centered on advocating for reproductive justice on campus and in the Lincoln community. My time as President of Generation Action helped me to develop my leadership skills as well as learning about resources around Lincoln that could benefit the students at UNL. I have taken my work and been able to continue advocating for resources in my role at Lighthouse.
Tell us about the path you took to get to where you are today in your career and how you applied your education in your major(s) or area(s) of study to get here.
When I started applying for jobs, I did not know exactly what I wanted to do. I applied during the last few months of my undergraduate program with no luck. When I found a job at Lighthouse, I was originally unsure as I had never worked with youth. I decided to apply because I had enjoyed my own time volunteering at other organizations and I knew how impactful that experience could be. Once I completed interviews and understood the mission and values at Lighthouse, I knew that this role would be a way for me to benefit my community and take a step outside of my comfort zone. Since starting, I have loved learning about Lighthouse and meeting so many youth and volunteers. The people I work with are what make my role so rewarding, and I am excited to see what good I can do for my community.
What are your future professional goals?
I am excited to continue my role as the Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator at Lighthouse and to continue developing my role to better serve the people I work with. I want to continue my activism work through my own volunteering and community connections. I am still learning and finding new ways to benefit my community, one day at a time.
February 3, 2026
