Major: Women's and Gender Studies
Minors: Ethnic and LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies
Hometown: Fargo, North Dakota
Jada Wraalstad is graduating this May and chose to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after talking to numerous people to see if it would be the right fit for her. Jada liked the campus, that it was not too far from Fargo, and that they could pursue their interest in social justice issues through a humanities degree.
Jada was undeclared when classes began but quickly discovered a love for her major while tackling her Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) and introduction courses.
“I declared my major in Women’s and Gender Studies at the very end of my semester, and even though I was already registered for more intro and ACE courses, those courses helped me to find my Ethnic Studies minor and connected [me] with my advisor who recommended an LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies minor as well,” says Jada. “I really loved the discussions of intersectionality in my courses, so adding those minors helped me to keep my studies intersectional and interesting.”
After volunteering at Planned Parenthood in Lincoln last year to meet volunteer hour requirements for one of their courses, Jada decided she wanted to do more during the class’s final project.
“I started the process of trying to create a student organization called Generation Action with another intern, Kaydence Skiles, and one of my classmates, Ella Mitchell. Together, we got Generation Action on campus at UNL by the fall semester, and I continued volunteering with Planned Parenthood while I served as the president of this new student organization,” says Jada.
Because of this experience and her relationship with the Planned Parenthood Public Affairs team, she was uniquely qualified to apply for an internship during the spring semester. This opportunity enabled Jada to continue the work they had already been doing through class volunteerism and student activism and expand upon it.
Jada shares that she works closely with the Public Affairs team within and outside Nebraska. Tasks include researching and updating legislative strategy, electoral canvassing, phone banking, talking to constituents, developing student recruitment strategies, coordinating campus advocacy events, and explaining new legislation to students and how to contact their elected officials.
Jada has found the experiential learning experience meaningful in multiple ways.
“Through my internship and student organizing, I feel much more connected to a larger campus community. Doing the work to create an RSO while trying to provide students with crucial resources has been very impactful on me and those I am working with,” says Jada. “My internship also has allowed me to learn more about the Nebraska legislature and has made my advocacy work feel more impactful because I can see where my time and energy is paying off.”
Jada also feels that her skills and confidence have grown tremendously through her work—whether she is busy lobbying senators, giving a media interview, or navigating various systems and databases. They plan to use the insight and expertise they have gained to guide their future career plans.
“My internship has helped me to realize how passionate I am about working in an advocacy role in the future. I have especially found my passion in connecting individuals with their communities and creating stronger relationships and support systems through community-based work,” says Jada. “As I am looking for new roles post-graduation, I am using the things I love about my internship opportunities to guide my search for something new while keeping up with my passions.”
