By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Riley Rose still remembers his first day at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Like many freshmen, he was both nervous and excited when he arrived on campus, unsure of exactly what his college journey would hold. Then one interaction inside Mantor Hall changed everything.
As soon as Rose walked through the doors, a staff member from the Thompson Scholars program called out his name from across the room.
“That intentionality, making sure they know all the students’ names before they even step foot through the doors, that was just tremendous,” Rose said. “The Thompson Scholars program really showed me what community is.”
Four years later, Rose is preparing to graduate summa cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminal justice and minors in public law and behavioral and mental health. An Honors Program student and Outstanding Senior Award recipient, he was selected to represent the College of Arts and Sciences as a gonfalonier during Friday’s spring commencement ceremony.
This fall, he’ll attend the University of Nebraska College of Law as a Public Interest Scholar, preparing for a career focused on serving rural Nebraska communities.
“The community and the people here, especially the Thompson Scholars Learning Community, have been a big part of getting me to this point,” Rose said. “It’s a significant moment, but it’s definitely not the end. I’m a first-generation college graduate and I’ll also be a first-generation lawyer, so that’s something I’m really excited about.”
Making the most of every opportunity
Originally from Murdock, Rose came to UNK as a recipient of the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship and the prestigious Board of Regents Scholarship – financial awards that allow him to graduate debt-free.
He initially enrolled in the 3+2 electrical engineering and physics program, with plans to complete his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. But after experiencing the campus environment firsthand, he decided to remain at UNK.
“Seeing how passionate everybody was on campus and how much feedback I was able to get from my professors in smaller class settings, I decided to stay in Kearney because I didn’t think you could beat this community,” Rose explained.
That community became central to his college experience.
Rose served as a Thompson Scholars Learning Community peer mentor for two years, providing the same support for first-year students that he once relied on as a freshman. He also became heavily involved across campus, serving as president of the Psychology Club and Psi Chi honor society and participating in many other organizations, including Chancellor’s Ambassadors, Pre-Law Society and the Mortar Board, Sigma Xi and Alpha Phi Sigma honor societies.
“I just started saying yes to every opportunity I could find,” Rose said, comparing himself to Jim Carrey’s character in the movie “Yes Man.” “There were just so many exciting opportunities and I really loved engaging with all of them.”
Associate psychology professor Katherine Moen, his academic adviser and undergraduate research mentor, describes Rose as hardworking, dedicated and incredibly thoughtful.
“Riley’s success hasn’t come easily or accidentally. He’s worked hard for everything he’s achieved, and he takes that work seriously,” she said. “That shows up in how prepared he is, how much effort he puts in and how reliable he is when he commits to something.”
His impact, she noted, extended far beyond the classroom.
“Riley has brought a lot of positive energy and leadership to UNK, both academically and socially,” Moen said. “He set the bar high in the classroom, but what really mattered is how much he invested in UNK and the people here. Riley is the primary reason that UNK Psychology Club was successful over the last year. He built a community, got students involved and created events that actually mattered.”
Julie Campbell, faculty coordinator for the Thompson Scholars Learning Community and a criminal justice professor, calls Rose a “truly exceptional” student.
“He’s one of the most intelligent and driven students I’ve ever had, and he’s fully engaged no matter the task,” she said. “If Riley commits to something, he will get it done and surpass expectations. He doesn’t just show up to participate – he shows up to make a difference.”
A path toward public service
Rose’s journey toward law school was anything but straightforward.
After spending part of his freshman year undecided, he discovered interests in psychology and criminal justice while exploring general education courses and attending UNK’s annual Criminal Justice Conference. A conversation with a friend studying business law eventually pushed him to seriously consider law school.
“I learned that law school is more affordable and more feasible than I thought, and that I should stop underestimating myself and just go for it,” he said.
That decision ultimately led him to the Nebraska College of Law’s highly selective Public Interest Scholars Program, which supports students pursuing careers in public service and advocacy. Rose hopes to work in underserved rural Nebraska communities.
“We’re really, really understaffed with lawyers here in Nebraska,” he said. “I know I want to go serve somewhere that needs extra help.”
For the past year, Rose has worked in the Buffalo County Public Defender’s Office, first as an intern and now in a part-time role managing digital discovery materials and assisting attorneys with ongoing cases.
That experience reinforced his desire to advocate for people facing difficult moments in their lives.
“When people are dealing with lawyers, it’s usually not the best day of their life,” Rose said. “In fact, it’s normally the opposite. I want to be that person they can turn to, maybe not to solve all of their problems, but at least to be there next to them when they’re having a rough time.”
Moen believes that mindset makes Rose an ideal fit for public service.
“Riley is the kind of person you want going into public service,” she said. “He’s the type of student who wants what he’s doing to matter.”
Campbell agrees.
“He understands the challenges of public service, and he’s choosing this path with genuine purpose and passion,” she said. “I have no doubt he’ll make a meaningful impact on those he serves.”
Rose credits much of his success to the support system he found at UNK, particularly through the Thompson Scholars Learning Community. The relationships he built with mentors, professors and fellow students shaped both his college experience and the person he is now.
As commencement approaches, he finds himself reflecting on just how far he has come since that first day in Mantor Hall.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time and experience here at UNK,” Rose said. “I’m definitely going to miss it here, but I’m also really excited for what’s next.”
