Justin Shilhanek

Justin Shilhanek is originally from Kansas City, so being a Husker wasn't even on his radar as a senior in high school, let alone a life-long dream.

"Coming from Kansas City, I had a stereotyped vision of Nebraska as only having farmers with different interests than I had, and I just never wanted to consider it a possibility. After checking it out, though, I fell in love with the campus. Everything seemed (and still seems) a perfect fit."

So Justin came to Lincoln with great expectations about the University, and about what he could accomplish at the University. But much like the majority of college students, Justin's expectations for himself changed after a few semesters of coursework.

"I was pre-med for a long time, but decided to focus on my double major in psychology and Spanish, and also to add a minor in LGBTQ/sexuality studies. It was really a gut decision to study what I wanted to study, and to really get engaged in the material. For the first time in my life, I'm not 100% certain of what I want to do with my majors, but I'm very excited doing what I love and I'm anxious (in a good way) to see where it takes me."

Yet, even though Justin dropped his pre-medicine plans, his favorite class remains a biology course he took freshman year.

"So far, my favorite class has been my freshman honors seminar, BIOS 189H, called Biology, Society, and Health. That class offered me to really explore a classroom dynamic in which students controlled discussion." Justin said. "It was this class - in my first semester at UNL - that really set the pace for me for the rest of my college career, pushing me to analyze critically, speak effectively, and work well in groups. And on top of that, our subjects, which included genetics, evolution, and medicine, were extremely interesting for me."

Justin has recently been voted into the ASUN student senate, though he admitted that he actually got involved on campus in what started out as a favor for a friend.

"I got involved largely due to complete happenstance - a friend of mine asked me to help him out with his ASUN campaign - but that one involvement really grew into a huge level of involvement that I'm at right now. I am really grateful for that opportunity, too, and hope that incoming freshmen and current students alike will take advantage of everything this campus has to offer them." Justin, a night owl, loves studying at the Coffee House (Panache) downtown. "It's very chill, and a great environment for getting a lot done and taking periodic breaks when you inevitably run into a friend there. Plus, I'm a caffeine addict and need some coffee in order to study for a long period of time".

Justin, a junior here at the university, says that he will "definitely miss the tight-knit community" he’s found at UNL. "The least accurate stereotype about college life is that you're "on your own" for the first time. That is absolutely ridiculous," Justin says. Through his involvement at UNL, Justin has not only developed a tight-knit community of friends, but he has also learned how to be a good leader. "I have really developed my own voice and style of leading - both in and out of the classroom - because of all the opportunities available to me at UNL. That has by far been the most rewarding for me."

Written by Jillian Kersch