"There is a belief that once you are an adult you have everything figured out. If they don’t, I want to be someone they can come to for help.”

First Generation College Student Iraqi War Veteran

A first generation student and Iraqi war veteran, Nickeya Chaney is a UNO senior majoring in social work. When she returned from Iraq a social worker had a profound affect on her life. And she wants to return the favor for others.

“As a social worker I get to teach life skills to adults,” she said. “There is a belief that once you’re an adult you should have everything figured out. If you don’t, people don’t know where to go. I want to be the person they come to for help.”

Nickeya is a Project Achieve student. Project Achieve provides scholarships for University of Nebraska at Omaha undergraduates who qualify as first-generation, limited income and/or disabled. She understands the importance of scholarships goes beyond just financial help.

After graduation Nickeya plans to attend graduate school to become a clinical therapist.