The Public Interest Scholars Program at Nebraska Law reflects our commitment to developing inclusive leaders who advance justice, solve problems, and serve with integrity. Through the program, we seek to identify five incoming students each year who demonstrate exceptional dedication to public service and support their growth through scholarship and internship funding, mentoring, individualized assistance, and unique programming and networking opportunities. Our goal is to cultivate leaders within the College of Law and the broader legal community who are dedicated to expanding access to justice and advancing equity through meaningful public service.
Class of 2029
She/Her
Nasrin Elrokhsi
Tripoli, Libya
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska Omaha
Throughout college, Nasrin pursued opportunities that combined community engagement and legal experience through her work with Omaha nonprofit organizations and as a Risk Management Intern in Union Pacific Railroad's Law Department. Those experiences reinforced her appreciation for the many paths a legal career can take and the different ways lawyers can serve their communities. She is eager to explore diverse areas of practice, embrace new opportunities, and discover where her skills and interests can make the greatest contribution.
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Gage Groeteke
Primrose, NE
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
During and after his undergraduate studies, Gage developed an interest in law, public policy, and economic development through internships with the Nebraska Legislature, the U.S. Congress, and other political organizations. Gage is pursuing a legal education to better understand how our public institutions shape communities and to build a career advancing pragmatic solutions in government affairs and supporting local economic development.
She/Her
Talia Norby
Elkhorn, Nebraska
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Talia's commitment to public interest law developed through her work with students navigating complex institutional systems. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, her years in residence life brought her alongside students facing mental health challenges, substance abuse, disciplinary processes, and other difficult circumstances. These experiences revealed how profoundly institutional responses can shape an individual’s ability to navigate adversity and access meaningful support.
Talia carried this perspective into the Student Senate and JED Campus Task Force, where she contributed to initiatives addressing mental health access, suicide prevention, and substance misuse. These experiences strengthened her commitment to public interest law and her desire to pursue legal work that expands access to resources, addresses systemic barriers, and advocates for communities historically underrepresented in decision-making spaces.
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Brittani Perez
Scottsbluff, NE
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
During college, Brittani interned at various organizations—Nebraska Parole Supervision, Lancaster County Youth Services Center, and Peaceful Means—all of which affirmed her desire to work with vulnerable populations. She is passionate about providing all people with care that transcends the barriers of a complex legal system. Brittani is excited to use her legal education to find meaningful pathways to support underserved communities.
He/Him
Riley Rose
Murdock, NE
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska at Kearney
Riley graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with degrees in psychology and criminal justice, where he conducted research on how interrogation practices influence perceptions of guilt and coercion. At the Buffalo County Public Defender’s Office, he supported office operations serving indigent clients and developed an internship and training program for undergraduates interested in public defense. Riley hopes to use his legal education to pursue litigation and public service while expanding access to quality legal representation in rural Nebraska communities.
Class of 2028
She/her
Caitlyn Croft
Omaha, NE
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Caitlyn is attending the University of Nebraska College of Law in pursuit of a career in public interest criminal defense. During college, Caitlyn has interned with the United States Department of State, the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, and the Federal Public Defender - District of Nebraska. She is excited to use her law degree to continue advocating for the rights of indigent individuals and maintain equitable access to justice.
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Angeline Kwamou Kwaze
Calgary, AB
Undergraduate Institution: University of Calgary
Angeline believes the most effective advocacy happens at the intersection of different perspectives. She believes that by listening and appreciating each other’s strengths, we can bridge cultural divides and develop more creative, empathetic solutions to complex legal challenges.
She/Her
Natalia Lopez
Omaha, NE
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska - Omaha
During college, Natalia earned her degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, where she developed a strong interest in how crime and the legal system shape communities. She worked at the Sarpy County Attorney's Office throughout her undergraduate degree where she assisted with digital evidence and had the opportunity to learn about trial processes. Her interest carried over in law school where she will be working with the Douglas County Attorney's Office. Natalia is motivated by the rise of specialized courts and their ability to make the justice system more responsive to community needs.
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Catherine Moe
Sioux Falls, SD
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Before law school, Catherine worked at the Center for People, developing job-seeking resources for incarcerated individuals and increasing the second-chance employer network in Lincoln, NE. Catherine is especially interested in prison law and prisoners' rights.
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Paul Pechous
Omaha, NE
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Paul comes to Nebraska Law as a Nebraska Public Interest Scholar, having previously served as the UNL Student Body President and as a special education teacher. Paul is dedicated to the intersection of education and public interest law. He aims to transition from the classroom to a legal career focused on ensuring students and schools have all the tools they need to succeed.
Class of 2027
He/Him/His
Andrew Dominguez Farias
Houston, TX
Undergraduate Institution: Carleton College
A Houston native and Carleton College Posse Scholar, Andrew has established himself in Lincoln through local nonprofit leadership and community organizing. As a former lobbyist, his legislative and policy successes include establishing the Nebraska Commission on Asian American Affairs, securing free city busing on election days, and creating a Youth Lobby School program. Andrew also advocates for LGBTQ+ communities statewide while serving on the boards of OutNebraska and Star City Pride. Ultimately, Andrew is dedicated to advancing justice through policies that uplift and empower the next generation of Nebraskans.
Jesse Ferguson
Norfolk, Nebraska
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Prior to attending Nebraska Law, Jesse served in legislative roles at the Nebraska Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives. Building upon this experience, he is passionate about how he can serve Nebraskans' interests through legal advocacy. As a law student, he has clerked at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and a litigation firm representing Nebraska counties in litigation.
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Angelica Fitzgerald
Daytona Beach, FL
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska - Omaha
Angelica is thrilled to attend Nebraska College of Law to pursue public interest criminal law. She is passionate about cross-sector collaborative approaches to solving the criminalization of marginalized communities in America. Her academic interests include affordable housing, conditions of incarceration, and the policing of children - specifically girls involved in both the justice and foster care systems.
She/Her
Gadi Hernandez-Corado
Las Vegas, NV
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Gadi is excited to be part of the Public Interest Scholars Program. In her pursuit to contribute to the public interest sector, Gadi has worked with nonprofits such as Nebraska Appleseed and is particularly interested in working with immigration law. True to her “learner” Clifton's strength, Gadi enjoys gaining and developing a wide variety of skills, ranging from embroidery to complex topics in her third year of law school.
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Katherine Houlden
Lincoln, NE
Undergraduate Institution: Southeast Community College, Clarkson College
Katherine is committed to working toward a more equitable Nebraska and plans to use her JD to that end. She is especially passionate about health care accessibility, fair housing, and economic justice. During her time at Nebraska Law, she has worked as a law clerk at Nebraska Appleseed and served in various leadership roles with several student organizations including Student Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Women's Law Caucus, American Constitution Society, Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the Nebraska Journal on Advancing Justice.
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Velma Lockman
Lincoln, Nebraska
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Velma entered law school with a commitment toward serving others, for which she clerked at the Lancaster County Public Defender and participated in the Children's Justice Clinic. Upon graduation, she aims to pursue a service-oriented career as a law librarian, where she will strive to promote access to justice by facilitating the availability of legal information to public patrons.
Class of 2026
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Madison Castor
Omaha, NE
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Madison worked in healthcare before bringing their skills to law school where they continue to excel at making clients feel heard. They clerked at Legal Aid working on SSD appeals and Appleseed working on impact litigation and SNAP. They also had an externship at the Mediation Center. Following graduation, they will be moving to Maine and continuing to work in public interest.
He/Him
Sullivan Jones
Papillion, NE
Undergraduate Institution: Chadron State College
During college, Sullivan gained an interest in governmental matters while serving as a student trustee for the Nebraska State College System. During his time at the College of Law, he enjoyed two years of practical experience as a law clerk with the Nebraska Department of Revenue. After graduating from Nebraska, Sullivan sat for the Colorado Bar Examination in July 2026 and accepted a position as an associate attorney with a rural law firm in Sterling, Colorado. His practice there will involve a diverse range of transactional business matters and local government legal work.
He/Him
Charles Leech
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Undergraduate Institution: Nebraska Wesleyan University
Charles has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Nebraska Law studying civil rights litigation, employment and workers' compensation, and Race and the Law. He hopes to further his studies and endeavors in civil litigation as he fights to protect workers' rights in Nebraska.
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Russell McFall
Calabasas, CA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Notre Dame
During his time at the Nebraska College of Law, Russell was a member of the Nebraska Children's Justice Clinic, student-practicing as a guardian ad litem. He also was an executive editor for the Nebraska Law Review and member of the Hispanic Law Students Association. Russell is currently practicing education and civil rights law in California, representing students in litigation.
Jessica Valdez
Council Bluffs, IA
Undergraduate Institution: Creighton University
Jessica Valdez developed her interest in immigration law during her undergraduate studies and continued to deepen that commitment throughout law school. During law school, she worked in the Immigration Clinic and participated in a Naturalization Clinic, helping individuals navigate the immigration process. She also gained experience working with Catholic Social Services, a nonprofit organization, and at a private firm Koley Jessen where she focused primarily on removal defense cases. After graduation, Jessica hopes to continue advocating for immigrants, particularly detained individuals facing removal in Nebraska, and to expand access to legal representation for vulnerable communities.
Class of 2025
Zach Brown
Mikayla Jones
Elliot Lund
Brenna Milius
Kalie Saunders
Alison Uecker
Class of 2024
Taylor Brown
Blake Ellis
Tyrone Fahie
Emma Lentsch
Ryan McKeever
Anna Reganis