A recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Paige Petersen earned her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications and Natural Resources within the Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education and Communications (ALEC). She now serves as an office associate with Nebraska Extension and Nebraska 4-H, where she supports communications, design and administrative efforts across both programs. Her role allows her to contribute to statewide initiatives while remaining connected to the community on East Campus that she built through her time at UNL.
Petersen credits ALEC coursework with sharpening her written and strategic communication skills as well as building her design abilities. She reflects on these classes as guiding her to write for specific audiences and revise work based on feedback. That structure mirrors the expectations she now encounters in her daily responsibilities.
“I learned a lot in my strategic writing class, where we learned how to write for specific audiences and purposes,” she said.
She also said the hands-on nature of ALEC classes prepared her for real professional expectations rather than hypothetical scenarios. Assignments required revision, accountability, and attention to detail, all of which correlated to her current responsibilities.
Connections made through the ALEC program also eased her transition from student to professional. She said building relationships with faculty and peers made networking and professional interaction more natural.
“Going into college, I was really nervous about networking, but being in the ALEC program really makes it easy, because everyone is so willing to help you out,” she said.
Petersen notes that two professors played a defining role in her experience at UNL — Dr. Laura Young and Dr. Heather Akin — as the two most influential faculty members during her time at the university.
“These two were always willing to make sure that I succeeded and were willing to help without me even asking,” she said.
The environment and professional connections she made really capture the spirit of East Campus and its small-town atmosphere. Petersen had a smooth transition because of her time in the ALEC department surrounded by supportive faculty.
“I still use the connections I made during my time at the university,” she said. “The transition from student to employee was very smooth.”
Petersen views her time at UNL as valuable preparation for her future career in agriculture communications and leadership.
“UNL prepared me by providing faculty who cared about my well-being and my success,” she said. “That made a difference.”
