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Alumna Credits Support, Opportunities in Chasing Dream

Nebraskan studies, then works at UNO before admission to law school, all while staying in-state.

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University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) alumna Sapphire Andersen has wanted to be a lawyer since she was a child.

"I just knew what I wanted to do, I knew what I was good at," Andersen said. "I think that wherever you see big change happening in the community or in the world, there’s always a group of lawyers involved."

Now she’s preparing to take the next steps toward that dream, after earning a degree in English and Political Science from UNO. Next semester, she will leave UNO but stay in Nebraska. After finishing up in the undergraduate admissions team as an admissions representative and event coordinator, she'll pursue a law degree at Creighton University.

"The critical thinking skills that I got from being an English major, being able to be a very solid writer, and able to communicate efficiently, those aspects really helped me along the way."

The Aurora, Nebraska native isn’t entirely sure what aspect of law she wants to pursue, but she said Omaha has always drawn her in.

"I think that I could help make a lot of change here or be part of a bigger impact that’s seen across the state," Andersen said.

The critical thinking skills that I got from being an English major, being able to be a very solid writer, and able to communicate efficiently, those aspects really helped me along the way.

 Sapphire Andersen

She’s grateful for how UNO provided her with opportunities to grow academically and personally, encouraging her to take on new challenges.

"I was really involved as a student, so I had the opportunity to be a campus leader in a bunch of different organizations across campus, sorority life, and academic honor societies. It really helped me build my confidence in my abilities and skills as a leader."

She has advice for other Mavericks chasing their dreams: take advantage of the support UNO has to offer.

"The biggest thing that helped me was that connectedness," Andersen said. "Just having that support system, whether it’s friends, or advisors, or professors just makes the whole process a little more manageable and helps to hold yourself accountable."