Iverson, Mowat, Conover honored at Women of Courage, Character and Commitment Celebration

Nicole Iverson, associate professor of biological systems engineering, and students Katie Mowat and Carley Conover were among 15 honorees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's annual Women of Courage, Character and Commitment Celebration on March 20.

Presented by the Gender and Sexuality Center, this award annually recognizes women from the campus and Lincoln communities who have made positive impacts through professional, personal, mentoring, or peer relationships.

Iverson said receiving this honor was gratifying because the nominations came from students and recognized the importance she places on supporting and mentoring students.

"Before I was a professor, I had no idea how much goes into being a good faculty member," said Iverson. "The recognition from the university for all of the service we do is great because we care about our students, not because it is part of our job.

"I really enjoy the mentoring aspect of my work at UNL. School is so stressful for students, and I like to try to give them hope and support. The fact that I can say 'I get it' and 'it will get better' is important," Iverson said.

"As students, we saw professors as all-knowing people who have everything figured out. I love being able to tell the students that I experienced the stress, doubt and confusion, too, and that I still don't have everything figured out. (Sometimes) they are just looking for someone who is willing to take a little bit of extra time to listen to them and let them know they are valued."

Mowat, a doctoral candidate in engineering with a specialization in Engineering Education Research (EER), and Conover, a senior in biological systems engineering, both said helping other students is an integral part of their collegiate experience.

“It reaffirms my belief that we should champion others, work to connect and support the people around us – in my case, fellow graduate students – and that a smile or small conversation can have a big impact,” said Mowat, who has been president of UNL’s Graduate Student Assembly, a member of  the Graduate Engineering Student Advisory Board (GeSAB) and Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Student Association (CEE GSA), a founding member and former president of the UNL graduate chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (GradSWE), and has been involved in many other organizations on and off campus.

"I believe it is important to get to know people beyond their research. That's why it is the small conversations in the hallway that matter the most to me. The ability to connect students to one another and share a wave or a short chat with so many of my fellow graduate students is so special."

Conover said connections she makes as a student ambassador for BSE and an undergraduate researcher in Iverson's lab are important.

"I believe this award recognized the commitment I have had at UNL to create places where everyone feels welcome," Conover said. "I put a lot of effort and time into helping other students feel welcome and understand wherever they are in their college journey.

"As a student ambassador, I have been able to create numerous connections with students and staff, and these relationships are the most special to me because of the familial aspect of the culture I hope I have helped to create."