Getting to know the UNMC High School Alliance’s Ashlie Nelson

If you’ve been around the inaugural UNMC High School Alliance class this school year, then you probably have seen Ashlie Nelson.

Ashlie Nelson, left, works with a students in the UNMC High School Alliance. Nelson, an employee of the Omaha Public Schools, is a teacher in the alliance and a liaison between the medical center and the students and the 17 high schools in the Alliance.

If you haven’t, it’s time to get to know Nelson — an Omaha Public Schools employee and a certified teacher in the alliance.

In her role, she helps UNMC faculty plan lessons and evaluate students while also serving as a liaison between UNMC, the students and the 17 high schools in the alliance.

Below, she talks about her experiences with the alliance.

Tomorrow – Howard Fox, M.D., Ph.D. UNMC Today on Friday will feature an interview with UNMC’s Howard Fox, M.D., Ph.D., who facilitated the alliance’s biomedical research course.

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What has been the most rewarding part of your work with the alliance?

Everyday is an adventure, but simply having the opportunity to be in the lives of these 36 amazing students is the most rewarding aspect. I cannot wait to see someday what they bloom into and how they have used what they have experienced here as a member of the UNMC High School Alliance.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your work with the alliance?

The challenge for me this year has been the adjustment of leaving my classroom as the lead instructor to coming to UNMC to be a facilitator of the courses. The ‘administrative world’ also was very new to me.

Applicants sought, deadline extended Know of a student who would be a good fit for the UNMC High School Alliance? Have him or her apply at the alliance website. Applications are being accepted through March 4.

Describe a particularly memorable experience you had working with the alliance.

The most memorable experience I have had so far was the very first day that I met all 36 of the alliance students. We held a retreat in August in which we invited a human relations/leadership program to address the students’ similarities and differences coming from 17 different high schools around the greater Omaha area. I was moved by their insight, their maturity and their emotions. I will never forget that day!