UNL's College of Journalism and Mass Communications recently announced the thirteen Matousek Scholars who will serve as student leads in the college's Experience Lab for the fall 2023 semester. The experiential learning program allows students to gain hands-on experience from the first day they begin college. More than 200 students will participate in the Experience Lab this fall.
Students work with faculty and professional mentors to build their academic skill sets while exploring their professional interests in one of the college’s media outlets: Buoy, Heartland Pulse, 90.3 KRNU, Nebraska News Service, Nebraska Nightly, Unlimited Sports and Production House.
“These scholars are exceptional leaders in the classroom, on campus and in their extracurricular activities,” Shari Veil, Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications said. “I look forward to seeing this group of students guide and challenge their peers in the Experience Lab this fall.”
The Experience Lab offers students real-world experience by giving them the opportunity to work on content for the public and clients. Each semester, the student leadership team oversees the day-to-day operations of the programs.
Meet the Experience Lab student leads for fall 2023 below.
Buoy
Abel Ue-Bari, a sophomore advertising and public relations major from Lincoln, is excited to be a lead at Buoy for the first time. Ue-Bari hopes to one day pursue a career in video. He’s always open to feedback and is looking forward to helping students succeed this semester.
Kaleigh Zollman, is a sophomore advertising and public relations major from Gretna. Outside of Buoy, she serves as secretary for the University Program Council and is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. In the future, she hopes to work in social strategy in the music industry.
Heartland Pulse
AbbyLane Kloke, a sophomore majoring in journalism and advertising and public relations, is from Wichita, Kansas. She loves paddle boarding, iced coffee and rom coms. This will be her second semester with Heartland Pulse, and she is excited to be a student lead.
Kamryn Snyder is a sophomore advertising and public relations major from Lincoln. Outside of Heartland Pulse, she is involved in UNL’s Public Relations Student Society of America club on their executive board and the Department of Residence Life as a resident assistant.
KRNU
Helen Howard is a senior from Lincoln, majoring in journalism. She works as the music director for 90.3 KRNU and hosts the weekly New Music Hour show.
Alex Neill, a senior studying broadcasting and sports media, is from Nashville, Tennessee. He is the host of the 90.3 KRNU radio show “The Subgenropedia” where he shares lesser-known music sub-genres. Neill recently won the grand prize in the Entertainment and/or Music Program category at the National Broadcasting Society and National Electronic Media Association Awards in April 2023. Outside of class, Neill is a UNL Learning Communities peer mentor, a HuskerVision broadcasting intern and a UNL Dining Services administration office assistant. When he’s not working or studying for classes, Alex is a sound technician for CityLight Lincoln Church and a small group bible study leader for the Salt Company.
Nebraska News Service
Naomi Delkamiller of Omaha is a sophomore honors student studying journalism and advertising and public relations. On campus, Delkamiller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, a HuskerVision student intern and an ASUN senator representing the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Before returning in the fall as a 2023 Nebraska News Service student lead, she will complete the News21 investigative reporting fellowship at Arizona State University.
Nebraska Nightly
Macy Neumeister is a senior broadcasting and journalism major from Nebraska City. As a first-generation college student and only child, Neumeister has found her path as a strong leader in the college. Television news is a passion of hers and Nebraska Nightly is a big part of that.
Jay Quemado is a junior broadcasting and journalism major from El Paso, Texas. He’s currently one of the technical directors for Nebraska Nightly and has been a part of Nebraska Nightly for three semesters, since spring 2022. Outside of classes, Quemado helps CoJMC’s technical director Jamie Wenz with live stream production for the college. When he’s not working or studying for classes, you can probably find him in the Don and Lorena Meier Studio. Quemado loves the phrase “big vibes,” thrifting, exploring new places and hobbies and reading. He’s excited to be a part of Nebraska Nightly for another semester. Big vibes!
Alaina Tomesh is a junior broadcasting major from Rice Lake, Wisconsin. This will be her fourth semester with Nebraska Nightly. She's produced, reported and anchored for the show, and said she has loved each role. Tomesh is excited to continue to improve the show with the leadership team and can't wait to meet students who share her love of news.
Production House
Marissa Lindemann is a sophomore broadcasting major from Nevada, Iowa. She's passionate about video production, bugs, and creating an inclusive environment. This past year she was a HuskerVision student intern and a reporter for Nebraska Nightly. Next fall she will return as the assistant editor of the DailyER Nebraskan. She will be spending this summer in Alliance, Nebraska, as an intern for the rural fellowship program. She's especially excited about getting Production House started and bringing her organization and creativity to the program.
Unlimited Sports
Krystin Collins of Papillion is a sophomore studying broadcasting and sports media and communication. She is currently a social media and marketing intern with Nelson Produce Farm where she helps create content for their social media pages and website. Next fall she starts her broadcasting internship with HuskerVision. Outside of classes, Collins is a member of Phi Mu. In her free time, she is either taking pictures or spending time with family and friends.
Bobby Hessling is a junior sports media and communications major from Elmhurst, Illinois. He is currently a student worker in video/technology with the Nebraska football team where he works on day-to-day operations involving technology and coaches film. Hessling hopes to be a play-by-play announcer, as he currently announces on Big Ten Plus and KRNU, and has worked with Nebraska Public Media and Lincoln’s KFOR AM radio station. Hessling was the president and founder of York Sports Network at his high school. He was responsible for all York High School live stream operations which included a 32 team holiday tournament in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Hessling is excited to be back working with new students and helping UNLimited sports grow.