KEARNEY – For Maleaka Boedhram, a junior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the dream of becoming a teacher is deeply rooted in her passion for helping others.
The Lincoln native, majoring in elementary and special education, has charted a clear path to use her education to make a difference in her hometown.
“I chose education because I have always loved working with children,” Boedhram said. “I thrive on helping others, and it brings me so much joy to play a role in others’ success. Through multiple experiences in education, I knew without a doubt that elementary and special education was my calling.”
Boedhram’s commitment to giving back is evident in her career plans. After graduating from UNK, she intends to return to Lincoln to teach, ideally in a Title I school.
“My heart is drawn toward students whose families are at a lower socioeconomic level,” she explained. “I want to give back to the community and state that have played a huge role in my personal education.”
Her decision to attend UNK was shaped by the university’s strong teacher education program and a desire to be part of a close-knit community.
“I wanted a smaller campus where I would be able to build strong relationships with my professors,” she said. “I had also heard amazing things about the education program here at UNK and knew that I wanted the best possible education when it came to my future career.”
Boedhram received the UNK Distinguished Scholar Award – worth $16,000 over four years – and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship awarded to promising Nebraska students with a financial need. These scholarships were “vital” for her family.
“My family does not have the financial resources to help me pay for college, so I knew it was something I would have to take on myself,” Boedhram said. “These scholarships are a blessing and something I will never take for granted. They made it possible for me to go to college and pursue the career of my dreams.”
Along with the financial assistance, Boedhram received academic and social support through the Thompson Scholars Learning Community (TSLC), which provided a strong sense of belonging when she arrived on campus.
“When I came to UNK, I only knew maybe two people in the whole town of Kearney,” she shared. “TSLC was and is the family I needed as I was transitioning to college. From the first day that I met the TSLC staff, they were all so welcoming and made the transition to college very smooth. If I ever run into a problem, I know there are several people within TSLC who are willing to help because we are a family that looks out for each other.”
Now in her third year as a Thompson Scholar, Boedhram is giving back to the program that supported her so much. She serves as a peer mentor, providing assistance and guidance for first-year students.
“I wanted to serve in this role as a way to better my leadership skills. I am a more introverted person, and I felt that being a peer mentor would help me gain confidence in myself and my abilities,” she said. “I decided to return for a second year because I loved the connections I was able to make with the first-year scholars, and I wanted to help the next freshmen who were transitioning to college in TSLC.”
Boedhram’s involvement on campus doesn’t stop there. She also serves as a social media officer for the Elementary Education Club and she’s on the scholarship committee for the Upsilon Eta Upsilon Honor Society for Black Excellence.
As she continues her educational journey, Boedhram remains committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of students. She’s a perfect example of the impact people and programs can have.
“I will forever be grateful for TSLC and the impact it has had on my life,” Boedhram said.
