As we settle into another academic year, I’m grateful for the energy that has returned to campus and for the work happening across Student Life to support our students. The beginning of a semester always brings a renewed sense of possibility, and this year has already given us plenty to celebrate.
One of those accomplishments is the full international accreditation recently earned by Counseling and Psychological Services. This recognition reflects the quality of care CAPS provides and the commitment of a team that continues to find new ways to make mental health support more accessible to our students. I’m also pleased to share that TRIO Student Support Services has received renewed federal funding, allowing this important program to continue helping students navigate their NEBRASKA experience and stay on a path toward graduation.
This edition of THE VIBE also gives us an opportunity to look at the impact of our work more broadly. Our new 2025–26 Student Life Impact Report highlights the programs, services and experiences happening across the division through the lens of Husker Student POWER. Behind the numbers are students like Ashlyn Bespalec, whose story reminds us what this work ultimately represents: helping students find community, advocate for themselves and grow through their experiences at NEBRASKA.
At the same time, we are looking ahead. The planned redevelopment of Selleck Quadrangle represents a significant investment in the future of campus housing and in the experience of generations of Huskers still to come. It is exciting to think about how this project will reshape such a central part of City Campus and create new opportunities for students to live and connect at NEBRASKA.
And, of course, the semester began with the excitement of move-in and Big Red Welcome. Dean of Students T.J. McDowell, Jr. and I even had the chance to meet a few students ourselves during our Dee Dee & The Dean Cart Convos rides around campus. Those conversations were a great reminder of how much you can learn by simply spending time with students and hearing about their experiences firsthand.
Thank you for everything you have done to make the start of this semester a strong one. I hope you’ll take some time to explore the stories, accomplishments and updates in this month’s edition of THE VIBE.
Go Big Red!
Dr. Dee Dee Anderson
Vice Chancellor for Student Life
See the Impact of Student Life
The 2025–26 Student Life Impact Report reflects the work happening across the division to support students and strengthen their NEBRASKA experience. Built around Husker Student POWER, the report shows how that framework is taking shape through the programs, services and experiences students encounter throughout the year.
This year’s report also brings together meaningful data and student stories that help show the broader impact of that work. It offers a look at what Student Life accomplished during 2025–26 and how those efforts continue to support student success across campus.
POWER in Practice: Ashlyn Bespalec
For Ashlyn Bespalec, NEBRASKA became more than the place where she earned a degree. Through her experiences with Campus Recreation and Orchesis Dance Club, she found opportunities to build practical experience while forming relationships that became an important part of her time on campus.
Her NEBRASKA experience also taught her the importance of advocating for herself. When she struggled academically during her junior year, Ashlyn sought support and accommodations from the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office that helped her continue toward graduation. Together, those experiences shaped how she defines success — not only by what she accomplished, but by the person she became along the way.
CAPS Earns International Accreditation for Student Mental Health Care
Counseling and Psychological Services has earned full accreditation from the International Accreditation of Counseling Services, recognizing CAPS for meeting high standards for college and university counseling centers.
The designation follows more than a year of preparation, peer review and an on-site evaluation. The outcome was especially strong: IACS reported that CAPS met all accreditation standards, describing the center as providing high-quality services through a well-trained, professional team that works well together. Reviewers also noted that CAPS is appreciated by university administration, students, faculty and staff, and specifically recognized the value of the center’s leadership.
That result is a significant accomplishment for the CAPS team and reflects the work that went into both preparing for the review. During the site visit alone, reviewers met with 53 stakeholders across 13 meetings, including CAPS staff, trainees, campus partners, the Dean of Students and Student Life leadership.
The accreditation also highlights CAPS’ continued efforts to expand access to mental health care for students. Students can reach an on-call counselor 24/7 through a partnership with BetterMynd, access embedded counseling in academic settings and residence halls, and now receive up to eight individual counseling sessions each academic year rather than eight sessions over the course of earning a degree. IACS reviewers specifically identified that change as a positive step forward.
CAPS’ accreditation is valid through June 2034, and NEBRASKA is one of 10 Big Ten institutions to earn IACS accreditation.
TRIO Awarded Three Federal Grants
In the last year, UNL TRIO Programs have been awarded three grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling approximately $9.1 million.
In August 2025, TRIO Student Support Services was awarded $3 million over five years, continuing NEBRASKA’s ability to provide academic and personal support for undergraduate students who are first-generation, income-qualified and/or have disabilities. The program serves 350 students and provides resources designed to strengthen persistence, retention and graduation, including tutoring, mentoring, academic support, financial literacy and career guidance. The renewed funding continues an important investment in helping students overcome barriers, build connections and successfully navigate their NEBRASKA experience.
In August 2026, an expanded TRIO Educational Talent Search grant was awarded. Through the grant, the university will receive approximately $5 million over the next five years for its Talent Search programming. The number of middle and high school students served each year will increase from 950 to 2,000. The grant will also expand the program beyond Lincoln to Grand Island, Hastings, Lexington and Winnebago.
In September 2026, UNL TRIO Programs was awarded a $1.1 million, two-year grant to provide professional training and development for TRIO professionals across the United States. Through partnerships with campus and national experts in student persistence, progress and outcomes, UNL will provide six training opportunities for approximately 1,500 TRIO professionals over the next two years.
A Strong Start to the Semester
From move-in and welcoming students back to campus to a full lineup of Big Red Welcome events, the start of the semester brought plenty of energy to NEBRASKA. Take a look back at some of the moments that helped students settle in, connect with one another and kick off the academic year.
2,229
exams proctored by Services for Students with Disabilities during 2025-26.
28.5%
increase in visitors to Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center spaces.
3.525
cumulative GPA for Fraternity and Sorority Life members, reflecting the positive impact of student engagement.
New Housing Will Transform the Heart of City Campus
A major new housing project is moving forward at the site of Selleck Quadrangle, representing a significant investment in the future of the student experience at NEBRASKA. The Board of Regents approved the redevelopment this summer, with plans calling for a new residence hall complex, dining center and retail space in one of the most central locations on City Campus.
The new development is expected to include nearly 2,000 beds and more than half a million square feet of space, creating a modern residential experience within easy walking distance of classrooms, the Nebraska Union and Memorial Stadium. The project is intended to replace aging infrastructure at Selleck while helping revitalize the heart of campus for future generations of Huskers.
Selleck will continue operating in the near term, with major construction not expected to begin until 2028. The first phase of the new development is currently targeted to open in August 2030. Clark Enersen has been selected as the architecture firm.
Dee Dee & The Dean: Cart Convos
Vice Chancellor Dee Dee Anderson and Dean of Students T.J. McDowell, Jr. took to campus for Dee Dee & The Dean: Cart Convos, giving students a ride during the first week of classes and using the time to hear more about their NEBRASKA experience. The conversations offered a fun, informal way to connect with students as they settled into the semester and share a glimpse of campus life along the way.
The rides are continuing beyond the video, with free campus rides available every Friday through October.