Leah Beckenhauer has called Kearney home since 1996, the year she first enrolled in classes at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Four years later, the Callaway native took a semester off before finishing her final credits. She planned to continue classes right away, but life got in the way.
Beckenhauer married her high school sweetheart. They had two children and started their careers in Kearney.
This summer, nearly 30 years after she first stepped foot on campus, Beckenhauer plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in general studies.
Her kids encouraged her to go back to school.
“When my kids started their college careers, I was a huge advocate for them finding a path and finishing school,” Beckenhauer said. “I always told them that my biggest regret was that I didn’t finish school. They both said that I should go back now and finish. I took that to heart.”
Beckenhauer enrolled in online classes at UNK in summer 2024. Her academic adviser, Emily Beaman, also provided encouragement along the way.
“I didn’t feel judged. I didn’t feel like this was a crazy thought that I could do this. She encouraged me and gave me the validation I needed to do this,” Beckenhauer said. “Emily helped me ‘dip my toe back in’ by suggesting a few classes. As I took those classes, she would reach out and see how things were going. She helped me sign up for the fall, and my classes over the summer were fantastic.
“I was worried about coming back to school because it had been so long since I had taken a class. My instructors were amazing though. They gave me great feedback and it motivated me to keep going.”
After working at a local credit union for almost 21 years, Beckenhauer decided to change careers last fall. She accepted a position as the operations specialist in UNK’s new Loper Success Hub, which unifies the staff and services of Academic Advising and Career Development, Disability Services for Students, TRIO Student Support Services, Kearney Bound Scholars, First-Gen Lopers and Tutoring and Academic Support.
“I had always wanted to be in a field that helped people,” she said. “I had considered psychology and counseling, but realized that I could also help people in higher education. I come from a family of teachers, so education is in my blood.”
Beckenhauer would like to continue her education after graduation. She’s considering a master’s degree in higher education student affairs.
Tell us about your role in the Loper Success Hub:
As the operations specialist, I welcome students to the hub and help them find the services they are seeking. I also help with Tutoring and Academic Support by working with the student leaders and tutors throughout the day. I work daily with software that helps manage interactions with students. I get to do a little bit of everything and work with all the different departments in the hub. I love working with students and helping the hub continue to grow to help more Lopers benefit from our services.
How do you prepare students for future success?
That is one of the things that I love about the Loper Success Hub. The departments in the hub collaborate to help students not only for today but also for their futures. In the hub, we have Academic Advising and Career Development. We help students with mock interviews and resume reviews, and we host the career fairs. That is just one avenue to help students with their futures. The entire hub also encourages students to advocate for themselves and overcome obstacles, then we celebrate their successes.
Why should students utilize the Success Hub?
We are here to help students find resources. They may not even be sure what they need or if we can help, but I recommend that students start here. We will connect them with the right department. I believe we are a great starting point where a student can find support to be successful in their college journey.
It’s also fantastic that students help other students every day in the Loper Success Hub. We have peer success coaching, student-led tutoring and peer mentoring. It is awesome to see students helping their peers and building those relationships. Our student leaders and tutors are not only great at their jobs, they’re also awesome people. It is so rewarding to see them help one another and cheer each other on.
Have you used the Success Hub services as a student?
One of our students was a business and writing tutor last fall. She helped me with new things that I wasn’t familiar with when it came to some technology and our assignments. I felt far more confident in my assignment and project after working with her.
What do you love most about your job?
I love my co-workers. They are all amazing individuals who are here to help students reach their goals, and they are passionate about their work. I also love getting to know the students. Everyone I have met has a unique story and I feel incredibly lucky that we all get to be part of that story.
How about your classes?
As a fully online student, I love that I can work full time and still be a full-time student. It isn’t easy, but it is fulfilling. I have gained so much through this process, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My husband and I love to go hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. We try to go at least once a year. We also love to travel and have been lucky enough to go to several places over the years.
Finally, I absolutely love musical theater and find ways to go to shows whenever I can. I can’t narrow down a favorite, but I have seen “Hamilton” twice and would definitely go see it again.
