Volunteer Program Helped Eleanor Find Her Footing in Lincoln

January 7, 2026

Eleanor Cok in the 黑料大湿 Union.

Coming from out of state, Eleanor felt like she needed something to ground herself in her new Lincoln community. Leaning on her strengths and past experiences, volunteering became a routine that helped Eleanor find her footing.  

鈥淚 volunteered a lot in high school and have been passionate about it for a long time, so I just signed up for a volunteering newsletter,鈥� Eleanor says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where I first learned about the ambassadors program.鈥�  

The SLICE (Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement) Volunteer Ambassadors Program matches Husker students with local nonprofits and organizations in need of support, placing students in positions related to their interests. Eleanor, a pre-health student, spent a semester volunteering weekly in Bryan Health鈥檚 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).   

鈥淧eople working in healthcare could always use more help, especially in the ICU,鈥� she says. 鈥淏eyond just getting the hands-on experience in a hospital, I really saw how blessed I am and learned not to take my own health for granted.鈥� 

Eleanor took that perspective to her second volunteer placement at Matt Talbot Kitchen, where she helped serve meals and connect with people in her new Lincoln community.  

鈥淢y time at Matt Talbot was very impactful,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 love talking with people and getting to know them. Being in a new city and feeling a little out of place, this was a great way to get to know community a little more and feel more connected.鈥� 

She also appreciated the regular ambassador meetings and learning about the work her fellow Huskers were up to.  

鈥淚t鈥檚 just really cool to come together and listen to people talk about what their passionate about and the impacts volunteering has on them.鈥� 

For anyone curious about volunteering, Eleanor says that the Volunteer Ambassadors Program will do the hard part for you.  

鈥淪ometimes the hardest part with volunteering is just getting started. The ambassadors program does an amazing job of getting you set up with an opportunity that鈥檚 specific to you 鈥� they make it feel really easy.鈥� 

Husker students volunteering at Linked2Literacy.
Husker Ambassadors volunteering at Linked2Literacy, a local nonprofit providing 黑料大湿 families with diverse, no-cost books. 

Eleanor Cok is a senior biochemistry and Spanish major from Kansas City, Missouri.