Fifteen University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty, staff and students have been nominated for the 2026 Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards. The nominees include Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson.
The awards recognize women making a positive impact in Lincoln through leadership, service and community involvement. The university’s nominees represent a range of disciplines and areas of service, including education, athletics, agriculture, engineering and student leadership.
The Inspire awards were established in 2015 by the Lincoln Journal Star to honor influential women making a difference across Lincoln in areas including business, government, education, healthcare, philanthropy and other fields. The awards also recognize emerging leaders and, through scholarship support from Union Bank and Trust, have awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local high school students pursuing their educational goals.
The 2026 nominees representing the university are:
- Katherine S. Ankerson, interim chancellor;
- Sylvana Airan, emeritus program coordinator, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources;
- Larkin Barry, junior, marketing major;
- Isabella Donia, senior, computer engineering major;
- June Griffin, associate dean of undergraduate education and professor of practice in the College of Arts and Sciences;
- Emira Ibrahimpasic, assistant director of Global Studies and associate professor of practice;
- Neeta Kantamneni, associate professor of educational psychology;
- Jen Landis, assistant professor of practice in graphic design;
- Amanda Morales, associate professor of teaching, learning and teacher education;
- Abigail Peres Mejia, freshman, music education major;
- Rhonda Revelle, head coach, softball, Athletics;
- Berlyn Schutz, senior, political science major;
- Liz Sowers, head coach, flag football, Athletics;
- Kaitlyn “Katy” Taylor, senior, actuarial science major; and
- Jessalyn Wilson, sports dietitian, Athletics.
Each nominee was selected by a friend, family member, colleague or community member in recognition of her leadership, service and contributions to Lincoln.
The 2026 honors will be presented during the Inspire Awards Luncheon Sept. 23 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The event will recognize award recipients across multiple categories, including the Woman of the Year. More information is available at InspireLincoln.com.
