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UNO Goalie and Neuroscience Grad Shines in Her Athletic and Academic Aspirations

Mia Reedtz’s UNO journey blends together athletic achievement, academic exploration, and lifelong lessons.

  • published: 2024/12/20
  • contact: Annie Albin - College of Arts and Sciences
A woman with blonde hair wearing a red soccer jersey with the number 1 and the University of Omaha logo raises her gloved hand, making a confident gesture against a dark background.

Mia Reedtz, photo credit to Mark Kuhlman.

Mia Reedtz remembers riding her bike down the familiar streets of her hometown in Denmark, flying fast to make her way to the soccer fields. Through years of time, sweat, and persistence, she strengthened her soccer talents – until it led her all the way to the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Far from home, and alone for the foreseeable future in a foreign country, Reedtz dove into her new duties as a member of UNO’s Women’s Soccer team. As weeks turned to months, she found herself growing closer with her teammates, and building an unshakeable community of support and sisterhood.

“It’s like having 26 sisters,” Reedtz said.

Off the field, Reedtz also discovered her own academic passions. After starting college as an exploratory studies major, she took every opportunity to delve into new subjects that piqued her curiosity. Whether it was world languages or psychology, kinesiology or chemistry, Reedtz enjoyed expanding her studies through a variety of courses.

Reedtz’s exploratory studies led her to her major in neuroscience and minors in sports medicine and psychology. With a passion for mental health and breaking down the stigmas surrounding it, she hopes to one day pursue a doctorate in psychology or psychiatry and help others heal.

Reedtz's academic performance also landed her placement in the competitive CoSIDA Academic All-District and Academic All-Summit League. For her, these hard-earned accolades are especially poignant.

“It means that you're recognized for more than just being an athlete,” Reedtz said. “You're actually recognized for something that's supposed to help you through your whole life.”

Reedtz’s passion for soccer led her across the world. Now, with her collegiate career over and her diploma in hand, she plans to return to Denmark to rest and restore before starting her next chapter. Wherever her next steps take her, she knows for certain that the lessons she learned at UNO will play some part in her path.

“Don’t be afraid to try something,” Reedtz said. “It’s never a waste of time. And don’t say no to opportunities.”