Major: Biological Sciences
Minors: Biochemistry, Film Studies, Psychology
Hometown: Alvo, Nebraska
Kearah, who goes by Key, grew up in Alvo, Nebraska, but has lived in Lincoln since high school. She is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in biological sciences, and is on the pre-med track.
"I knew that I wanted to go into medicine when I was very young because I've always had chronic health issues and I want to help others who are struggling with their mental or physical health. I've also always been someone with many hobbies and interests, and I've been a huge film buff since I was a kid. So I decided I might as well study film while I'm in college because it's not often that I get to study topics that allow me to be creative in my major," Key said. "I added a psychology minor my sophomore year because it's always been an interest of mine and I enjoy learning about the human mind. Mental health is a huge passion of mine, so I wanted to be more educated so that I can better help the people that I will care for in the future."
One of Key's favorite classes so far has been a physiology lab she took during summer term with coursework that felt highly relevant to her future in medicine.
"Every lab was very unique and applicable to medicine, which I really enjoyed. The course was really challenging, and I liked how fast-paced it was. One of my favorite labs from the course required us to do different experiments to assess our vision, which I found really fascinating," Key said.
When choosing her Spring 2026 experiential learning opportunity, she remembered feeling isolated and lonely as a first-year student living in Robert E. Knoll Residential Center, which influenced her decision to become a resident assistant.
"I didn't feel very comfortable going to my resident assistant for help. I was experiencing a lot of big changes in my life and really needed support and guidance from someone," Key said. "I wish that I had somebody I felt comfortable going to for help when I needed it, so I decided that I wanted to be that person for someone else."
In her role as resident assistant, Key offers support and guidance and helps meet the needs of the students under her care throughout the academic year.
"I am expected to do periodic check-ins with all of the residents on my floor to see how their semester is going and ensure that their social, emotional, mental, and physical needs are being met. The role of an RA is very focused on interpersonal communication and the relationships that students have with friends, roommates, families, and significant others," Key said. "Another important part of this role is planning events for residents, which require a lot of organization and are really important for building community in the residence halls."
An especially impactful moment for Key came when a student resident came to her with an emergency involving a roommate.
"It felt really rewarding to know that they trusted me to help them with a situation that was so complex and personal to them. I was able to help them figure out a solution and get their roommate the support they needed," Key said. "This situation made me feel like I was able to make a meaningful difference in the well-being of students on campus."
Key is thankful that her experiential learning has given her relational insights and strengthened her leadership skills.
"This experience required me to lead with empathy and be creative when coming up with solutions. It taught me how to approach complex interpersonal relationships and how to lead others to solve problems," Key said. "I really grew as a leader through this role and learned how to foster a supportive community for 60+ unique students with different interests, goals, and personalities."
No matter where life takes her next, she knows that the knowledge she has gained as an RA will prove invaluable.
"Being a resident assistant in Knoll has already given me the confidence to seek out other leadership roles in my work and extracurriculars," Key said. "I think this experience forced me to grow a lot as an individual and a leader, and I will carry these experiences with me through the rest of my academic career."
