By MARY CHVATAL
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Not long ago, Carleigh Searle was a nervous freshman listening to lectures at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Now, she’s the one leading them.
Searle is in her second year as a lecturer in the UNK Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, working alongside the faculty members who inspired and guided her.
“It’s been amazing getting to work with people like (lecturer) Kaiti George and (professor) Kate Heelan,” Searle said. “Kaiti is who I really base my teaching off of, and Kate was a mentor who pushed me to be better. These are all things I want to be for my students now.”
Originally from Harvard, a small town about an hour east of Kearney, Searle chose UNK as an undergraduate student because it’s close to home and the campus isn’t too large, allowing even the shyest of freshmen to create connections with faculty and peers.
“I got that hometown feel from a big-town community in Kearney,” she said. “Kearney as a whole felt that way, and especially now that I’m teaching, the faculty feels like a little family.”
Searle started her education as an athletic training major and excelled academically while participating in the Honors Program and undergraduate research. She was also involved in Residence Life, serving as a resident assistant for two years, as well as Campus Recreation.
But when March of her senior year rolled around, Searle had no idea what she wanted to do. That’s when Heelan offered a suggestion.
A longtime UNK faculty member and current associate dean and department chair, Heelan asked if she’d be interested in a graduate assistant position with the Physical Activity and Wellness Lab on campus. Searle accepted, then spent the next two years leading labs, teaching courses and helping run the Employee Wellness Program.
“I was a shy kid coming to Kearney,” Searle said. “Through all of the involvements that professors like Dr. Heelan encouraged me to pursue, I came out of my shell and enjoyed it more than I ever thought I would.”
As her faculty mentor, Heelan also recognized that growth. Searle was quickly gaining confidence and discovering her calling.
“In Carleigh’s second year as a master’s student, she began to teach lectures in KSS 150. I could see her develop a passion not only for teaching but also for the kids,” Heelan said.
Searle graduated in summer 2024 with a master’s degree in exercise science. At the same time, Heelan approached her with another proposal. There was an open position for a lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, and she wanted Searle to apply.
“UNK had been my home for six years,” Searle explained. “I looked at other positions, but never felt the same connection as I do here.”
She accepted the job that August and currently teaches a variety of classes, from freshman seminars to Introduction to Nutrition and Introduction to Human Physiology of Exercise.
“Connecting with students just as past professors did with me is my favorite part,” Searle said. “It’s easier to connect with upperclassmen as they’ve adapted to college life already, but the freshmen give me raw experiences and laughter as well.”
Heelan is proud of the impact she’s already had on students.
“Carleigh is just a passionate teacher,” she said. “She teaches hard content that is foundational for students in this degree field, but she’s found a way to revamp courses with better teaching and learning strategies that ensure students are grasping concepts.”
That shy freshman has become the kind of mentor she once needed, guiding Lopers toward their own success at UNK.
